Big brothers big sisters of EL paso proposes to implement the transforming youth mentoring approaches for opioid and substance misuse program

The U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) awarded a $650,000 Project Grant under the Juvenile Mentoring Program (CFDA 16.726) to Big Brothers Big Sisters of El Paso, Inc. to implement the "Transforming Youth Mentoring Approaches for Opioid and Substance Misuse" program. The grant aims to enhance the organization's capacity to provide high-quality mentoring services to youth at risk of or currently experiencing opioid and other substance misuse in El Paso County, Texas. Key activities include expanding mentor training, deploying mentoring and support programming for youth and families, and engaging those with lived experience. Expected outcomes include developing a multi-disciplinary approach, providing rapid response and evidence-based group mentoring services, reducing recidivism, and conducting regular program assessments. The 3-year project period runs from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2026.

The purpose of this project is to deliver targeted mentoring services, with enhancing protective factors, to youth who are at risk or currently experiencing opioids and other substance misuse in EL paso county. Project activities include expanding the capacity of the existing mentoring program to provide high-quality services to youth at risk or currently experiencing opioids and other substance misuse; enhancing baseline mentor training for the target population and provide ongoing development and support after the initial training is complete; deploying mentoring services that utilize educational and support programming for youth and their families to address opioid or other substance misuse issues; and engaging youth and family members with lived experience as vital resources. Expected outcomes include the development of a multi-disciplinary approach to engage with youth who are at risk or currently experiencing opioids and other substance misuse in EL paso county; rapid response and targeted evidence-based group mentoring services; reduction in recidivism in youth who are at risk or currently experiencing opioids and other substance misuse in EL paso county; and regular program assessments. Subrecipient activities include enhanced mentor training, job preparation, educational and career exploration, and coordinated case management.