Buddies In School One-ToOne Mentoring Program

Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Georgia will expand the "Buddies in School" program, which targets 250 K-8 students identified as needing improvement in one or more of four areas: attendance, academics, attitude, and self confidence. The program goals are to improve students' attendance, academics, and behavior and attitude towards school with the ultimate goal of improving participants' future outcomes. The program's strategy includes matching students with a screened, trained, caring adult, who will mentor the student at school during the school day. The mentoring process is monitored and supported by program staff on an ongoing basis. Big Brothers Big Sisters will use school records to report performance measures such as students' attendance, academics, and discipline reports. Program Outcome-Based Evaluation forms, created by Big Brother Big Sisters of America, will also be used to assess changes in students' attitudes and behaviors. Big Brothers Big Sisters will report their findings to OJJDP in the grantee's Categorical Assistance Progress Reports. NCA/NCF