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Program Staff in Youth Mentoring Programs: Qualifications, Training, and Retention
Research in Action
  • Thomas E. Keller, Portland State University
Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
1-1-2007
Subjects
  • Career development,
  • Mentoring,
  • Mentoring -- Research
Disciplines
Abstract

Considering the many ways in which program staff may influence the experiences of mentors, youth, and parents in mentoring interventions, the author advocates that greater attention be devoted to the recruitment, training, and retention of qualified and competent program professionals in the field of youth mentoring. Research from similar fields is informative, but inferences and implications drawn from these studies may not translate directly to the realities of youth mentoring programs. The investigation of staffing issues in youth mentoring presents an opportunity to guide investment in the infrastructure of the youth mentoring movement and to ultimately improve the quality and quantity of services provided to young people who could benefit from the support and guidance of caring adults. The article is followed by suggestions on how practitioners can incorporate the research findings into mentoring programs and a list of additional resources.

Description

The 10-issue "Research in Action" series, edited by Jean E. Rhodes, is the initial project of the MENTOR Research and Policy Council, charged with taking current mentoring research and translating it into useful, user-friendly materials for mentoring practitioners. For full series, see ED502220 through ED502229, inclusive.

Persistent Identifier
http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/10600
Citation Information
Keller, T. E. (2007). Program staff in youth mentoring programs: Qualifications, training, and retention. In Jean Rhodes (Ed.), Research in Action. Alexandria, VA: MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership.