Big Brothers Big Sisters Of Coastal & Northern New Jersey Inc

ADVANCING MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR AT-PROMISE YOUTH - BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF COASTAL & NORTHERN NEW JERSEY (BBBSCNNJ) WILL IMPLEMENT ADVANCING MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR AT-PROMISE YOUTH, A 1-YEAR SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION AND MENTAL WELLNESS INITIATIVE SERVING 200 UNDUPLICATED YOUTH AGES 6–18 ACROSS ITS 10-COUNTY NEW JERSEY SERVICE AREA. PARTICIPANTS MAY BE AT INCREASED RISK FOR SUBSTANCE MISUSE, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CHALLENGES, SCHOOL DISENGAGEMENT, OR RISKY BEHAVIORS DUE TO ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES, FAMILY STRESS, ECONOMIC HARDSHIP, BULLYING, SOCIAL ISOLATION, LIMITED POSITIVE ADULT SUPPORT, OR EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL CONCERNS. BBBSCNNJ WILL EXPAND PROFESSIONALLY SUPPORTED 1-TO-1 MENTORING THROUGH MENTOR RECRUITMENT, SCREENING, AND TRAINING; PROFESSIONAL MATCH SUPPORT; INDIVIDUALIZED YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PLANNING; CAREGIVER ENGAGEMENT; PREVENTION-FOCUSED ACTIVITIES; EMOTIONAL REGULATION SKILL DEVELOPMENT; RESOURCE NAVIGATION; SAFETY MONITORING; AND YOUTH OUTCOMES SURVEY MEASUREMENT. STAFF WILL IDENTIFY EMERGING CONCERNS AND CONNECT YOUTH AND FAMILIES TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES RATHER THAN PROVIDE CLINICAL TREATMENT. OBJECTIVES INCLUDE AT LEAST 80% OF YOUTH REPORTING A SPECIAL OR IMPORTANT ADULT; AT LEAST 80% REPORTING CONFIDENCE IN SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE AND MAINTAINING OR IMPROVING EMOTIONAL REGULATION; AT LEAST 95% AVOIDING RISKY BEHAVIORS; AT LEAST 90% EXPECTING TO GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND PURSUE POSTSECONDARY OPPORTUNITIES; AND 80% REPORTING STRONGER SCHOOL CONNECTEDNESS.