NVCSS Mentoring Children of Prisoners

NVCSS and seven mentoring organizations, including the North State Mentoring Coalition, have joined together to develop a program to provide mentoring and referral services for children aged 4-18, who reside in Butte, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama or Trinity counties and have at least one parent or significant adult relative in a state or federal prison. An NVCSS social worker is available to evaluate the family’s needs and provide referrals to local resources. The partnering mentoring organizations match the youth with screened, volunteer adult mentors who have committed to spend at least one hour a week with their mentee.

Research pdf document indicates that children with mentors have:

More positive attitudes towards school
Better school attendance
Increased resistance to drugs and/or alcohol use
Improved relationships with parents and peers

The benefits of mentoring are far-reaching and can last a lifetime:

“My mentee has shown great improvement both academically and socially, since we began working together. Her most recent progress report reveals this academic improvement as she has earned all A’s and one B in her classes. I can personally attest to her social improvement. My mentee is markedly more confident and outgoing.” -Amanda, an adult mentor

“My son has been struggling a bit lately. There have been problems in the family lately and it has been very difficult on him. Though he is going through a rough time, his Big Brother has been very consistent and great support for him. It really has made a difference to have him there when things get rough.”
-Parent of a matched child

“The mentor has helped this child stay in contact with her father in prison, while assuring that she is in a safe, stable home environment. They have an excellent relationship.”
-Partner Mentoring Organization

Our partner mentoring organizations are:

Butte County:
Adrian Hills Mentoring Project (533-9029)
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butte County
Chico High Academic Mentoring Program-CHAMP
NVCSS Court Appointed Special Advocates
Thermalito Family Involvement and Literacy Center (538-2950)

Shasta County:
Golden Umbrella Foster Grandparent Program
Shasta Family YMCA PlusONE Mentors (246-9622)

Siskiyou County:
Golden Umbrella Mentoring Program

Tehama County:
Tehama County Mentoring Program

Trinity County:
Human Response Network