| Name | Jessica |
|---|---|
| Last Name | Whatley |
| Home Address | 2015 Bailey Avenue Chattanooga, TN 37404 United States |
| Organization Name | Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga |
| Describe Your Role In The Organization | Executive Director |
| Organization Address | 2015 Bailey Avenue Chattanooga, TN 37404 United States |
| Website | https://www.bbbschatt.org |
| Best Phone Number To Reach You | 4236988016 |
| Alternate Phone Number | |
| Email Address | jessica@bbbschatt.org |
| Alternate Email Address | info@bbbschatt.org |
| Please Describe Your Project In Detail | BBBSGC began transforming the lives of youth in 1957, as an affiliate of BBBSA, the nation’s premier mentoring organization. Our proven model, perfected over 116 years, is the gold standard with research published in peer-reviewed journals. Our mission-focused programs defend youths’ futures by pairing them with caring mentors we professionally support. For 65 years, BBBSGC has been the Chattanooga area’s premier mentoring organization, defending the potential of future leaders in the community by matching youth (Littles) with committed adult mentors (Bigs). These relationships – strategically matched based on Littles’ needs and Bigs’ backgrounds and skills, as well as common interests, aspirations, and personalities – empower Littles to achieve success in life and become productive members of the community. BBBSGC mentoring programs mitigate adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and factors like poverty and health that marginalize low-income families. Adverse childhood experiences are traumatic events that a child has experienced before turning 18. ACES include abuse, neglect, mental illness, incarcerated parent, household violence, substance abuse, and divorce. The RPI inventory (Risk and Protective Inventory) done with BBBS families shows that compared to the National Average, BBBS youth have higher ACES scores and experience the greatest need for protective factors to counteract those adverse experiences. ACEs have lasting harmful impacts on youth and families and will be even more pronounced during and after this COVID-19 crisis. Our programs address the complex needs of ACE-affected children and families by coordinating services and resources using a trauma-informed approach, proven to mitigate ACEs’ dire consequences. Our goal is evidence-based resources, trauma-informed BBBS one-to-one mentoring coupled with family-centered care for low-income youth and caregivers to significantly improve emotional health/well-being and strengthen social capital by building connections. BBBSGC plans to expand on a trauma-informed and personalized approach in mentoring with funding through the City of Chattanooga and the American Rescue Plan. BBBSGC will implement the MentorHub app created by Dr. Jean Rhodes after decades of research into youth mentoring. Dr. Jean Rhodes' research concludes that the demand for child mental health services exceeds the supply. Due to this, she proposes that mentors can carry out tasks of improving youth mental health. https://mentorhubapp.com/new-study-highlights-role-of-mentors-in-providing-mental-health-support/). MentorHub combines mentoring with evidence-based technological interventions. Youth typically do not stick to interventions solo; however, combined with a mentor they are more likely to stick to interventions. The MentorHub is a supportive accountability app that guides youth to age-appropriate and proven interventions to work through coping skills. The volunteer mentor and Parent/Guardian also have access to this app to see what the youth is struggling with and also learning. BBBSGC will implement this tool across all mentoring programs during 2022-2023. This is not a pandemic tool but a tool that meets needs exacerbated by Covid-19. Through this tool, BBBSGC will be able to expand mentoring programs to over 500 youth. |
| Please explain how your project meets the requirements of the American Rescue Plan | BBBSGC's mentoring programs and the expansion of the MentorHub app and personalized mentoring focused on mental health and trauma-informed care aligns with the mental health services requirement of the American Rescue Plan. |
| Where would your project take place? | BBBSGC's mentoring project for this program would take place across the City of Chattanooga. |
| How much will your project cost in total? | 100000 |
| Do you have any matching funding sources from other local governments, private entities, non-profits, or philanthropic entities for your project? | Yes |
| Please describe the source and list amounts of any other funding. | Individual/Corporate Donors - 14% Special Events (Individual and Corporate Support) - 23% Foundation/Grant Donors - 8% Government Funding (State and Federal) - 37% Endowment Funds - 9% United Way - 9% |
| What portion of the project are you asking the city to fund? | BBBSGC is asking the City of Chattanooga to fund 10% of the costs to provide mentoring services to youth in Chattanooga. |
| If funded, when would your project start? | August 1, 2022 |
| How long would your project take to complete? | Implementation of the MentorHub app would take one year. At that point, the usage of the app and the mentoring programs would be ongoing. |
| What milestones would you use to measure your project’s progress? | BBBSGC uses a number of tools to measure youth success. One of these tools is the Youth Outcomes Survey (YOS). The YOS is administered before a match is made and annually thereafter. The tool measures change in the areas of improving academic achievement, reducing high-risk behaviors, and increasing social-emotional competencies. Since 2020, BBBSGC has seen an uptick in youth struggling with depressive symptoms and emotional regulation at their baseline survey. BBBSGC hopes that with the implementation of the MentorHub app and an additional focus on personalized mentoring, over 85% of youth report being able to control/regulate their emotions. In addition, over 80% of BBBSGC youth will report a decrease in depressive symptoms. In addition to mental health outcomes: • Matches will be stronger at the end of the year than at the 3-month mark of the relationship; • 88% of Littles will maintain or see an increase in academic performance; • 91% of Littles will feel more confident or maintain their confidence in school; • 88% of Littles will see an increase or maintain their feelings of social acceptance; • 94% of Littles will maintain or improve their attitudes toward risky behaviors; • 92% of Littles will trust their parents either more or the same as they do before the match; and • 94% of Littles will maintain or increase their feelings of having a special adult in their lives, someone who is not a parent with whom they can talk and share feelings. |
| How would you ensure accountability and transparency throughout the project lifecycle? | BBBSGC is held accountable by many different organizations - Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, United Way, BBBSGC Board of Directors, and other funders and supporters. BBBSGC has an annual audit completed each year. In addition, BBBSGC is transparent in reporting, both programmatically and financially. |
| If successful, how would your project benefit the community? | A 2006 article by researcher Guthrie S. Birkhead and colleagues notes that, “The health and well-being of adolescents have a major impact on the overall health of society.” The article also points out research that, “…has demonstrated that facilitating social connectedness influences health and well-being in many ways and that social connectedness can promote multiple health objectives, as well as lead to broader community and societal benefits” (Birkhead, G. S. et al. Youth Development is a Public Health Approach. (2006). Journal of Public Health Management and Practice). By providing formal mentoring opportunities for youth in the community, BBBSGC tackles the public health challenge of adolescents engaging in risky behaviors and developing unhealthy habits at a young age. Through its variety of one-to-one mentoring programs, BBBSGC allows youth to reach their full potential and achieve success in life. |
| How will you attract community buy-in for your project? | BBBSGC has a 65-year history in the community. This history includes over 20,000 youth served and over 20,000 volunteers. The community believes in the importance and power of mentoring. |
| Is there anything else you would like us to know about your project? |