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ABOUT MENTORING

Mentors are key to our graduates' long-term success. They act as an anchor of support to the cadets during the residential phase and continue support throughout the 12 month post-residential phase (a total of 17 months). While at the academy, all cadets complete a Post Residential Action Plan (PRAP), which serves as a guide for the cadet and mentor partnerships to follow after graduation from our program.

We offer two training workshops per class cycle (mentors only need to attend one of these two workshops), and communicate training dates with mentors in the application and interview.

Not only is mentoring important for the development of these young men and women, but cadet placement and success during the Post Residential Phase is reported to the Montana State Legislature, National Guard Bureau and Congress to measure the short and long term success of the program.

Mentors have a two-fold purpose: To act as a life coach during the Residential and Post Residential Phases as well as submitting a monthly report on the cadet's placement activities and mentor contact for the 12 months following graduation.

MYCA MENTOR RESOURCES

New Mentor report.docx

MONTHLY MENTOR REPORTING FORM

Please Send Reports to:
Montana Youth Challenge Academy
790 East Cornell Street,
Dillon, MT 59725

Mentor App Class 54.doc.pdf

CLASS 54 MENTORING APPLICATION

Please Complete and Send to:
Montana Youth Challenge Academy
790 East Cornell Street,
Dillon, MT 59725

Mentor Requirements

Mentors are preferably of the same gender as the cadet; however cross gender mentors may be allowed on a case-by-case basis.
Mentors must be at least 21 years old.
Mentors should be in reasonable geographic proximity, defined as distance acceptable to both the mentor and cadet.
Mentors may not be a member of the immediate family (parents, significant other of parents, siblings, or members of the same household may not be mentors). Mentors may be aunts, uncles, grandparents or extended family members.
Mentors must consent to a criminal history background check.
A person convicted of a felony may be eligible to be a mentor, depending on the offense and how much time has passed since the fault was committed. These situations are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Mentors must stay in weekly contact with cadet for 14 months.
Mentors must be trained and should be able to attend a 1 day mentor training workshop with their cadet, held in Dillon at the program site.
Mentors must send in a monthly report that recaps contacts between them and the cadet and verifies placement of the cadet.
Mentors must be willing to correspond with the cadet while in the Residential phase by writing letters of encouragement and phone calls.

Mentor Responsibilities

Return completed mentor application to the Post Residential Department (contact provided in the application).
Commit to spending 17 months in consistent contact with a cadet.
Spend a day at the program site for mentor training with your cadet.
Assist the cadet with placement plans and goal setting.
Make 4 monthly contacts with the cadet in person, phone or via social media during the Post Residential Phase. At least two of these contacts should be face-to-face, when possible.
Observe all academy policies and guidelines for mentors, and discuss any violations of the policies by cadets with the case manager or mentor coordinator.
Refer the cadet to community resources as needed.
Participate in a community service project with the cadet while the student is home for break, if possible.
Share occasional informal and fun activities with the cadet. The mentor and cadet can jointly select and schedule the activities.
Communicate monthly by phone and email with the case manager.
Promptly inform the case manager of problems or needs in the cadet’s life.

INQUIRE ABOUT MENTORING

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What does mentoring mean to a young person?

To a young person, mentoring means to have a responsible, caring adult role model and friend to look up to. This role model can help the youth achieve and maintain goals in placement, life skills and relationships.

What do I need to do to become a mentor?

Have the desire to help a youth.

Submit the complete mentor application.

Submit to a background check (live-scan fingerprints, etc.).

Attend one training day at the Montana Youth Challenge Academy at the University of Montana Western in Dillon.

Follow through for 12 months after the cadet graduates the Residential portion of the program, focusing on Placement and Life Coaching opportunities.

Provide a monthly report during the 12 month Post Residential Phase to assigned case manager on the progress of the cadet.

How often can I visit my cadet at the academy?

Once a mentor has been screened, they may visit the cadet by scheduling the visit in advance with the Mentor Coordinator. However, we understand that many mentors will not be able to visit cadets beyond the mentor training day. Visits are NOT mandatory.

What happens if I run into a problem with my cadet?

If a problem arises in the relationship, the Mentor is encouraged to discuss the problem with the Cadet, Mentor Coordinator and/or the Case Manager.

What if my help is not wanted?

It is not easy for many cadets to trust an adult. Patience and time is key in developing a relationship. Some of these relationships will be long-term and some will be short-term. Regardless of the length of time of the Cadet/Mentor relationship, the cadet will almost always gain something positive from the experience.

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