Implementing interventions that include mentoring components with young people with foster care experience: Lessons learned from the field

Abstract

Background

Mentoring programs are popular for youth-serving non-profits, including those serving youth with foster care experience. However, the uptake of quality mentoring programming is a time-consuming endeavor that requires implementation skills that community agencies may not be fully equipped to handle.

Objective

This study compiles lessons learned from implementing the mentoring component of Fostering Higher Education (FHE), a postsecondary access and retention program for youth with foster care experience. The research question was, “What are lessons learned regarding how to most successfully engage in (a) mentor recruitment, (b) mentor training, (c) mentor-mentee matching, (d) pair oversight, (e) group activities, and (f) closing relationships, for organizations implementing FHE?”

Participants and setting

Implementation staff (educational advocates, mentor coordinators, and supervisors) in three FHE pilot sites across the United States participated. Due to one survey being anonymous, the exact sample size is unknown but ranges from 10 to 14.

Methods

Four data sources were used in qualitative analyses: a 2022 lessons learned survey; a 2024 follow-up lessons learned interview; quarterly TA evaluation surveys from 2021 to 2024; and meeting notes from 2021 to 2024.

Findings

Two global themes emerged that spanned all six mentoring phases: (1) Procedures and Logistics, and (2) Relationships, Connections, and Engagement. Each global theme contains multiple sub-themes highlighting key lessons learned.

Conclusion

This information will be helpful for organizations implementing FHE as well as those aiming to serve youth with foster care experience and other vulnerable youth via mentoring, to better prepare them for successful implementation.