Dear Volunteer Candidate,

Thank you for your interest in mentoring young adults to maturity! We are thrilled that you have decided to invest your time in creating a relationship with a local teenager as a career guide and as a friend, or as a lead volunteer to support mentors, teens, and families. We are confident that you will find your role very rewarding.

Due to the sensitive nature of our work with teenagers, each volunteer must successfully complete the screening process. In order to assure your application is completed before we submit it for a background check, please make sure that:

-You have filled out the application completely and thoroughly

-You have signed authorizing Global Service Network to conduct a criminal background check

-Email a clear picture of your driver's license and proof of vehicle insurance

-You have read and acknowledge receipt of the following policies:

       Confidentiality policy

       Unacceptable behavior

       Mandatory reporting

       Transportation policy

I certify that my answers are true and complete to the best of your knowledge, and have read, understood, and will abide by the terms of all policies.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at (513) 953-0172.

Respectfully,

Faith Brightwell, Program Manager, Mentoring Partners

In case of emergency, contact:

Program Philosophy

The mentoring relationship is a one-year commitment that launches each September. You will be matched with an teen mentee based on your sex (mentors and mentees must be the same sex), interests, skills and geography. The goal is to invest in a personal relationship with them as they explore their skills, aptitude and career possibilities.

When a teen mentee is available that we believe might be a good match for you, we will provide you  with an overview of their interests and background. If both the parent/guardian and mentee agree to the match, an assigned coach will introduce you to them in August.

The program is based on building strong relationships. For the first few months you and your mentee will go on a monthly outing to have fun and start building a relationship of trust and mutual respect. In addition to the monthly visit, you will call, text, etc. with your mentee every week to talk about your life, interests, school, activities, etc. With the mentee's input, your will plan your outings and will talk with their parents each month before each outing. Youth, mentors, and parent/guardian(s) will be assisted on this journey by an assigned coach. They will ensure that the match is considered a good fit by all parties and that everyone is communicating regularly. They will be available to discuss everything about the program including your ideas and challenges.

Season's Activity Commitment

I will complete the following steps with my mentee between Sept - May:

-Initial training and relationship building workshop

-Introduction visit to meet and then select date for first activity

-Talk, text, etc. with your mentee weekly

-Social/recreational activities to build a relationship

-Birkman Career Test and Career Exploration Online

-Choose 2-3 job pathways to interview professionals

-Interviews of 2-3 professionals

-Assist Mentee to Complete One-Year Plan

-Year-end Review. Meet with mentoring coach and complete survey

-Mentor and Mentee video testimonial (optional)

 Confidentiality Policy

It is the policy of Mentoring Partners of Cincinnati to protect the confidentiality of its participants and their families. With the exception of the limitations listed below, program staff will only share information about mentors, mentees, and their families with other Mentoring Partners' professional staff and the Board of Directors. Further, all prospective mentors, mentees, and parents/guardians should be informed of the scope and limitations of confidentiality by program staff. Additionally, mentors are required to keep information about their mentee and his/her family confidential. In order for Mentoring Partners of Cincinnati to provide a responsible and professional service to participants, it is necessary to ask mentors, mentees, parents/guardians, and other outside sources to divulge extensive personal information about the prospective participants and their families, including: Information gained from mentors and mentees, written or otherwise, about themselves and/or their families, in application to and during program participation Participants' names and images gained from participants themselves, program meetings, training sessions, and other events Information gained about participants from outside sources including confidential references, school staff, employers Records are, therefore, considered the property of the agency, not the agency workers, and are not available for review by mentors, mentees, or parents/guardians.

Information from mentor and mentee records may be shared with individuals or organizations as specified below under the following conditions:

Information may be gathered about program participants and shared with other participants, individuals, or organizations only upon receipt of signed "release" forms from mentors, mentees, or parents/guardians. Identifying information (including names, photographs, videos, etc of program participants may be used in agency publications or promotional materials only upon written consent of the mentor, mentee, and/or parent/guardian.

Unacceptable Behavior

It is the policy of Mentoring Partners of Cincinnati that unacceptable behaviors will not be tolerated on the part of mentors or mentees while participating in the program. This policy is in addition to behavioral requirements stipulated in other policies or procedures. This policy in no way is intended to replace or take precedence over other policies or procedures including, but not limited to, the following: Confidentiality Policy Transportation Policy Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect Policy Anumber of behaviors are regarded as incompatible with Mentoring Partners of Cincinnati's goals, values, and program standards and therefore are considered unacceptable and prohibited while participants are engaged in mentoring activities: Unwelcome physical contact, such as inappropriate touching, patting, pinching, punching, and physical assault Unwelcome physical, verbal, visual, or behavioral mannerisms or conduct that denigrates, shows hostility, or aversion toward any individual Demeaning or exploitative behavior of either a sexual or nonsexual nature, including threats of such behavior Display of demeaning, suggestive, or pornographic material Known sexual abuse or neglect of a child Denigration, public or private, of any mentee parent/guardian or family member Denigration, public or private, of political or religious institutions or their leaders Intentional violation of any local, state, or federal law Drinking while driving under the influence of alcohol Possession of illegal substances Use of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and firearms Overnight visits and out-of-town travel Any unacceptable behavior, as specified but not limited to the above, will result in a warning and/or disciplinary action, including suspension or termination from participation in the mentoring program.

Mandatory Reporting

It is the policy of the Mentoring Partners of Cincinnati that all staff, coaches, mentors, and other representatives of the program must report any suspected child abuse and/or neglect of agency clients or program participants immediately. All such suspected reports must be made to the appropriate state and/or local authorities. Program staff must follow the mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect procedure.

Any staff or volunteers accused of child abuse or neglect will be investigated by the agency. Contact with program youth will be restricted or constrained and/or the person in question suspended from employment or program participation per the decision of the executive director and board of directors until such investigation is concluded.

Transportation Policy

It is the policy of the Mentoring Partners of Cincinnati to allow mentors to transport mentees in their own private vehicles. The program coordinator must ensure that all mentors meet the following criteria prior to transporting the mentee.

All mentors must own a car or have access to reliable insured transportation; all safety equipment including turn signals, lights, brake and back-up lights, seat belts, tires, and brakes must be in good operating condition.

-All mentors must possess a valid driver's license and present proof of auto insurance; a record of insurance will be maintained in the mentor's file and will be updated on an annual basis.

-Mentoring Partners of Cincinnati requires that mentors obey all traffic laws, and use seat belts and headlights at all times.

-Mentors must also avoid taking medication or using any other substances that might impair their ability to drive.

-If an accident occurs while the mentor is engaged in mentoring, it should be reported promptly to the mentoring coach.

-The mentor must carry a copy of the mentee's health insurance information in the transporting automobile at all times in case of emergency.