Introduction

Big Brothers Big Sisters programs have historically enjoyed a positive reputation as nice programs that help children who are without a mom or a dad in their lives. Recently gathered statistical data have shown that they also are among the most potent weapons in the battle against juvenile crime, drug and alcohol abuse, and related problems. Big Brothers Big Sisters programs have been proven effective and were the only mentoring program approved as a Blueprint Model for juvenile delinquency prevention. This project is designed to dramatically reduce juvenile alcohol use/abuse as well as the risk factors influencing juvenile delinquency by building up the capacity of the Finney County agency to serve youth referred.

It has become clear that the children and youth referred to Big Brothers Big Sisters are among the most at-risk in our communities. The youth we typically serve will have the following, often present in an acute condition:

  • Extreme economic deprivation
  • Family history of problem behavior
  • Family management problems
  • Family conflict
  • Early and persistent antisocial behavior
  • Lack of commitment to school
  • Alienation, rebelliousness, and lack of bonding to society

Unfortunately, the number of these youth has dramatically increased over the last five years. The current profile of local youth referred to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Finney & Kearny Counties underscores the risk:

  • 73% come from single parent homes
  • 16.5% live without either parent, in foster care or with other relatives
  • 15% have at least one incarcerated parent
  • 10% are abused or neglected
  • 80% are racial/ethnic minorities

The Public/Private Ventures research cited earlier has been widely recognized as proof that mentoring programs make a difference. Unfortunately, an important qualifier added by the researchers has not been as widely reported. P/PV included in their conclusions:

"These findings, however, do not mean that the benefits of mentoring occur automatically . . . In our judgment, the standards and supports BBBS programs employ are critical in making the relationship work, and thus generating the strong impacts we have reported."

The "standards and supports" to which the P/PV researchers refer are competent professional attention to screening volunteers, assessing children and families, participant training, and the supervision of adult/child matches. The infrastructure that supports each BBBS agency ensures that each young person receives maximum benefits and each community volunteer's time and energies are utilized to their fullest extent. This intensive approach is of the utmost importance when working with youth from high-risk backgrounds.

There are five basic "best practice" components in the Big Brothers Big Sisters service delivery process:

  1. Volunteer Recruitment
  2. Volunteer Screening and Assessment
  3. Child Intake
  4. Matching
  5. Support, supervision, training

Cultural, gender, and other specific population considerations

Because the base service that Big Brothers Big Sisters provides each youth is a personal relationship, any special need is handled through matching to a volunteer with appropriate qualifications. All Case Managers are required to hold a Bachelor's Degree in a human services field. From an organizational standpoint, national BBBS standards require that state agencies address cultural diversity in recruitment of volunteers, programming, governing board, and staff.

The Public/Private Ventures study found no significant gender differences in benefits to youth served and only positive differences with regard to the impact on minority youth.

A recent four-year study on the impact of Big Brothers Big Sisters matches conducted by the respected Public/Private Ventures organization followed the outcomes of youth in eight cities across the country. The P/PV research and the youth arrest study found that when compared to their peers, matched youth were:

  • 70% less likely to be arrested
  • 53% less likely to skip school
  • 33% less likely to engage in violent confrontations
  • 46% less likely to initiate drug use (matched minority youth were 70% less likely)
  • 27% less likely to start drinking alcohol (matched minority youth were 50% less likely)

Another study on the effects of Big Brothers Big Sisters School-Based Mentoring found:

  • 64% of students developed more positive attitudes toward school
  • 58% achieved higher grades in social studies, languages, and math
  • 60% improved relationships with adults, and 56% improved relationships with peers
  • 55% were better able to express their feelings
  • 64% developed higher levels of self-confidence
  • 62% were more likely to trust their teachers
  • 56% developed better relationships with their peers

The volunteer Big Brother or Big Sister provides a strong bond that can keep a child from getting into trouble. These volunteers also set healthy and clear standards for developing values and behavior. These protective factors provide a basis for a sound social development strategy for each child, one by one.