|
Guide
to Effective Programs
for Children and Youth
|
BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS (BBBS)
OVERVIEW
Big Brothers/Big Sisters (BBBS) is a well-established, intensive mentoring program for at-risk school-aged children, adolescents and youth. BBBS staff carefully screens and matches community volunteers with participants, and then monitors and provides ongoing support to the matches. BBBS mentoring is designed to promote emotional support, positive social skills, feelings of safety and security, academic skills, and more positive relationships with family and peers. An experimental evaluation found that participation in BBBS led to decreases in the likelihood of hitting someone or initiating alcohol or drug use, and increases in peer and family relationships and school attendance and performance.
DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM
Target participant: At-risk school-age children, adolescents and youth.
Big Brothers/Big Sisters (BBBS) is a well-established, intensive mentoring program. The program targets at-risk 5- to 18-year-old children and teens (e.g., from single-parent families, economically deprived) who desire a match with a Big Brother or Big Sister. Mentors are volunteers from the community who are extensively screened by program staff before being matched with a participant; mentors are expected to commit to meet with their participant for at least one year. Throughout the mentoring relationship, BBBS program staff monitor the matches and provide support to mentors. Typically, youth and mentors meet two to four times each month, and meetings last four hours. The mentoring relationship is designed to provide a sense of safety and security, emotional support, social skill promotion, and help with academic, technical, and other skills; program goals include reducing the incidence of antisocial behaviors, and improving participants' self-confidence, academic achievement, and relationships with parents and peers.
There are currently over 500 BBBS programs throughout the U.S.
EVALUATION(S) OF PROGRAM
Tierney, J.P., Grossman, J.B. & Resch, N.L. (1995). Making a difference: An impact study of Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Philadelphia: Public/Private Ventures.
Evaluated population: 959 10-16 year olds who applied to BB/BS programs in 1992 and 1993 at eight local agencies
Objective:
To assess whether the program reduced antisocial activities, improved academic performance, improved family and peer relationships, improved sense of self-esteem, increased cultural awareness
Measurement instrument:
Baseline and 18 month follow-up survey of youth and parent
Records and data collected by program staff
Evaluation:
Type: Quantitative
Statistical techniques: Random assignment to treatment and control group
Outcome:
Evaluation participants who had participated in BB/BS were less likely to start using drugs or alcohol; were less likely to hit someone; had improved school attendance and performance; had improved attitudes toward completing schoolwork; and had improved peer and family relationships. They were not more likely to have an improved sense of self-esteem or increased exposure to cultural awareness. There were some differences in impacts according to race and gender.
Other information:
Services were provided for up to 17 months; the follow-up survey was conducted after 18 months.
Big Brother and Big Sister mentors averaged 144 hours of direct contact with the youth over the course of the year, and they were highly trained, supervised and supported.
Estimated costs are approximately $1,000 per match for support and supervision of match.
* BB/BS institutes an extensive case-management approach to mentoring.
SOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION
Link to program curriculum:
http://www.colorado.edu/cspv/publications/blueprints/BP-002.html
References:
Grossman, J. B., & Rhodes, J. E. (2002). The test of time: Predictors and effects of duration in youth mentoring relationships. American Journal of Community Psychology, 30(2), 199-219.
Tierney, J.P., Grossman, J.B. & Resch, N.L. (1995). Making a difference: An impact study of Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Philadelphia: Public/Private Ventures.
Web site: www.bbbsa.org
Links to discussions of this program in Child Trends publication(s):
Jekielek, S., Moore, K. A., & Hair, E. (2002). Mentoring programs and youth development: A synthesis. Washington, DC: Child Trends.
SUMMARY & CATEGORIZATION
Program categorized in this guide according to the
following:
Evaluated participant ages: 10-16 / Program age ranges in
the Guide: 6-11, 12-14, 15-21
Program components: Mentoring/tutoring
Measured outcomes: Social/emotional, Education/cognitive,
Behavioral problem
Program information last updated 3/14/07
