Guides mentoring program staff in providing mentors with the ongoing support they need to continue to build trust and develop positive relationships with youth. Research has demonstrated that programs in which professional staff members provide regular support to mentors are more likely to have matches that meet regularly and participants who feel satisfied with their relationships. Program administrators and staff get guidance on: (1) monitoring the mentoring relationships, including maintaining regular contact with each mentor and getting feedback about activities, meeting times, mentee’s behavior, and any special concerns; (2) finding out how mentees view the program; (3) identifying particular problems that may serve as warning signs that the match is in trouble, including a mentor’s perception that he or she is not having a positive impact on the mentee; (4) providing ongoing training and support that covers basic cultural sensitivity and problem-solving skills as well as such difficult topics as child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, and alcohol and other drug abuse; and (5) offering mentoring support groups and recognizing mentors’ accomplishments. With ongoing support, mentors are willing and able to work through the rough spots that may arise in their mentoring relationships.
