It is the intent of the Legislature that all youth mentoring programs shall be afforded all of the following:
(a)
The adoption of quality assurance standards by school- and community-based mentor programs.
(b)
The provision of mentor program technical assistance.
(c)
The provision of technical assistance to any organization that wishes to improve youth-adult relationships.
(d)
The provision of a mentor program clearinghouse and library service.
(e)
The preparation and periodic updating of a statewide directory of mentor program services.
(f)
The provision of mentor program referrals to the general public.
(g)
The coordination of the state employee mentor recruitment campaign.
(h)
The development of a coordinated and coherent reporting form and requirements.
(i)
(1)In order to obtain funding appropriated by the Legislature, mentor programs shall have adopted the California Mentor Initiative Quality Assurance Standards and shall provide data regarding mentee outcomes as requested by the state funding agencies consistent with subdivision (h).
(2)
Adopted in 1997, the Quality Assurance Standards
can be found in the State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs Publication Number 99-1121. The requirements of these standards are summarized as follows:
(A)
A statement of purpose and a long-range plan.
(B)
A recruitment plan for both mentors and mentees.
(C)
An orientation for mentors and mentees.
(D)
Eligibility screening for mentors and mentees.
(E)
A readiness and training curriculum for all mentors and mentees.
(F)
A strategy that matches the provider program’s purpose.
(G)
A monitoring program that includes ongoing assessment.
(H)
A support, recognition, and retention component, including ongoing peer support, training, and development.
(I)
Closure steps that include confidential exit interviews.
(J)
An evaluation process based on an outcome analysis of the mentor program, program criteria, and statement of purpose.
(j)
This section shall become inoperative on July 1, 2013.