ProgramsAll of the children referred to Mentor Iowa are between the ages of 4 -18. Most have been adjudicated as Children in Need of Assistance (CINA) by the Juvenile Court because of abuse and/or neglect. The children referred to Mentor Iowa come from a wide range of living situations that separate them from the population at large. At any given time you will find:
58% live in single parent homes
8% are in foster care
23% are with grandparents or other relatives
8% are in group homes
3% live with adopted parents
2010 Measurable Results: (These results are obtained through Quarterly Assessments and Mentor Reporting Forms)
70 % of children referred to the program received some form of programming
83 % of mentees felt they have benefited from having a mentor
30 % of children on waiting list became matched within 6 months
84 % of matches closed on good terms
33 % of inquiries became mentors
87 % of new mentors felt they were adequately trained to be a mentor
82 % of mentors attended at least two Continuing Education Classes or Group Events
Mentor Iowa Programs:
One-on-One Program: matches a volunteer mentor with a Child in Need of Assistance or (CINA). Mentor Iowa works directly with the Department of Human Services (DHS) with CINA referred by a Juvenile Court Judge.
Early Services Project (ESP): Working with Juvenile Court Services, Orchard Place Child Guidance Center, and the Des Moines Public School District, Mentor Iowa provides mentoring services to children, ages 4 - 11, who have committed a minor delinquent act.
Transition Program: A collaboration with JCS, Des Moines Public School District and Sequel Care. Mentor Iowa provides mentoring services to teens, ages 14 and up, who are reentering the community after an out of home placement due to a crime they committed.
Truancy Court: A collaboration with Truancy Court, Des Moines Public Schools and the Polk County Attorney's office. Mentor Iowa volunteers are matched with referred middle school students who have a history of truancy.
Youth Justice Initiative (YJI): A partnership with the City of West Des Moines. Mentor Iowa trains YJI volunteer mentors for West Des Moines youth who have committed a delinquent act.
Girl Power: A program for females between the ages of 11 through 16. Girl Power is designed to provide a forum for young women to interact with each other and discuss areas of common concern. Issues addressed include: career exploration, substance use and abuse, gangs and violence and sexuality and healthy decision making. The mentors of these young women are encouraged to participate in the Girl Power program.
