Agenda Item
a. Memorandum Of Understanding Between Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta and DCSD (not to exceed $249,983)
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Kishia Towns, Deputy Superintendent of Student Support and Intervention, Division of Equity and Student Empowerment
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) between Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta and DCSD in the amount of $249,983 to provide Level Up: In-School Mentoring services to 100 students at Lithonia Middle School during the 2024 school year. This request is aligned to Strategic Goal Area IV, Culture and Climate.
Why: DCSD would like to implement the Level Up: In-School Mentoring program at Lithonia Middle School to support our students in developing a vision for the future, avoiding risky behavior(s), and developing a sense of belonging. Lithonia was selected based on at-risk concerns presented by students.
Details: The Level Up program utilizes three paid staff members, including, one mentoring supervisor, and two lead mentors, who meet weekly with eight groups of five students and hosts 10 (1:1) sessions with students. They will have the capacity to serve one hundred students, including group and individual sessions.
Financial impact: The total budget of $249,983 to implement the Level Up Program at Lithonia Middle School will be allocated using funds from Purchased Professional and Technical Services: 448.2100.530000.30521.7370.4190.8010.090.2022.
Contact: Dr. Kishia Towns, Deputy Superintendent of Student Support and Intervention, Division of Equity and Student Empowerment, 678.676.0520
Mrs. Denise Revels, Director of Wrap Around and Support Services, Division of Equity and Student Empowerment, 678.676.2011
Status: Approved by General Counsel.
Scaling our Services by Supporting youth in schools.
IMAGINE IF
EVERY
STUDENT
HAD A
MENTOR.
PORTFOLIO OF MENTORING
PROGRAMS
EXPANDED MENTORING PROGRAM
Group Mentoring Pilot
ENHANCEMENTS OF OUR CORE PROGRAM
1. Regionalized Community Based Pilot Regular Schedule for
Middle School Littles
full year
2. School-Based 1:1 Mentoring
3. Workplace Mentoring: Beyond School Walls
1 Big: 5 Littles
Mentoring at the Can Tailor Focus
OUR CORE MENTORING PROGRAM School
Community Based 1:1 Mentoring
BBBS MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM
Expanded Site Based Program
1. Young MS: 100 matches + waiting list
(6th grade)
2. H.J. Russell: 100 matches + waiting list
(7th grade)
3. Price MS: 69 matches (6th grade)
Program Updates
Program Model
• 3 BBBS staff members assigned to each school
• 275 Littles have participated in the program (6
• 1 Mentoring Coordinator; 2 Lead Mentors children have moved; 269 currently matched)
• Each Lead Mentor serves 8 groups of 5 and 10 1:1s • Weekly sessions began on Sept. 12 at each site.
• Weekly mentoring sessions on a consistent schedule
• Average rating of 4.66 out of 5 on program
with an SEL and future focused curriculum. 5
outcomes.
THE PEOPLE
Mentoring Coordinator
BBBS Indirect Staff based in Office
*Manages enrollment process of Lead Mentor
BBBS Direct-Service Staff based in School
Bigs/Littles
*Mentors Littles in both 1:1 and Volunteer Big
Volunteer from Corporate or College Partners
group settings
*Leads training for all mentors
*Mentors Littles as 1:1 Big or as co-
*Can mentor up to 8 groups of 5 mentor in group with Lead Mentor
*Supports Program and Curriculum
Littles
implementation
*Commits to mentoring at school
*Can mentor up to 10 Littles 1:1 at least once per month for group
*Conducts continuous safety and
and twice per month for 1:1
relationship coaching
*Co-mentors with volunteers
*Communicates with Mentoring
Coordinator for safety monitoring
3-YEAR IMPLEMENTATION MODEL AT ONE SCHOOL
2024-25 School Year
300 Youth Served per School
2023-24 School Year 100 Matches
200 Youth Served per School made 2 years
ago continue as
8th graders
100 Matches made last
2022-23 School Year school year continue as 7th
100 Matches made
graders
100 Youth Served per School last school year
continue as 7th
graders
100 6th Grade
100 6th Grade Students from new 100 6th Grade
students matched class matched with Students from
with Mentor (via Mentor (via group new class
group or 1:1) or 1:1) matched with
Mentor (via
group or 1:1)
A MENTORING
RELATIONSHIP
IMPACTS:
FEEDBACK FROM OUR LITTLES (MIDDLES)
Thank you for being my mentor. I just want to say that you have helped me express
my feelings
I love having your company.
I love to have fun and laugh and do fun things with
I’m starting to like the group; well kinda
my mentor every time I come with my mentor
not all the way but starting to I guess
I had a great day today and we slayed this group
Today has really helped me cause my today
mind was kind of angry in a way
I would ask my mentor to please keep being my
mentor because I really like hanging out with him
9