Arches Transformative Mentoring
Program overview
Reducing recidivism among young adults: Arches Transformative Mentoring is a group mentoring program for young adults (ages 16-24) on probation. Arches participants are less likely to recidivate within one year or within two years after participation, compared to peers who did not participate in the program.
Working toward individualized goals: When an individual begins probation, their probation officer (POs) work with them to create an individual action plan, which outlines key education, work, and community-related milestones. POs can then refer the individual to Arches to receive supplemental support in achieving those milestones. While the individual on probation will continue meeting with their PO, they will also have access to Arches mentors.
Supporting cognitive behavioral therapy: Arches chooses mentors who are “credible messengers,” as they have backgrounds similar to the program’s clients. Mentors lead intensive group mentoring sessions, which include 5-12 participants and follow an evidence-based interactive journaling curriculum. These sessions also include a significant focus on the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy. Participants typically take 6–12 months to complete the program, which consists of 48 group sessions and four interactive journaling course books.
Providing one-on-one mentoring: In addition, mentors hold one-on-one meetings with their mentees, during which they use motivational interviewing principles to help mentees set goals. Mentors prioritize developing strong relationships with their mentees. One-on-one meetings do not follow a curriculum but are instead held at the mentee’s request regarding topics of their choice.
- Strategies
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Transitional employment and re-entry support
A single study with a rigorous design provides some evidence for Arches as a strategy for reducing recidivism among young adults.
- A 2018 quasi-experimental trial found that Arches participation reduced one-year felony reconviction by over two-thirds and reduced two-year felony reconviction by over one-half, compared to a control group.
Involve POs in recruitment and placement process: An evaluation found that Arches programs benefited from strong relationships with probation officers. In addition to serving as a source of referrals, POs have significant knowledge about the dynamics between potential participants. For example, probation officers’ knowledge of gang affiliations helped sites avoid risky placements in group-based programming. Given this, Arches sites should prioritize building relationships with probation officers and use their knowledge of participants to inform participant placements.
Support mentor longevity: Arches has struggled with mentor longevity, as mentors are employed part-time but asked to be on call 24/7. This disconnect resulted in a high turnover rate among mentors. Long-lasting mentor relationships are critical to Arches’ success. Therefore, sites should take steps to support mentors’ long-term involvement, which may include increased pay or benefits, increased education and professional development opportunities, or reduced on-call requirements.
.Leverage alumni experiences: An evaluation found that conversations between peers during group mentoring sessions were particularly positive experiences for participants. In these group conversations, program alumni were especially valuable resources for describing their own journeys through Arches towards achieving their own goals. Sites should maintain relationships with their alumni, and then formalize the role of alumni participating in group mentorship sessions, in order to leverage their experience.
Involve POs in recruitment and placement process: An evaluation found that Arches programs benefited from strong relationships with probation officers. In addition to serving as a source of referrals, POs have significant knowledge about the dynamics between potential participants. For example, probation officers’ knowledge of gang affiliations helped sites avoid risky placements in group-based programming. Given this, Arches sites should prioritize building relationships with probation officers and use their knowledge of participants to inform participant placements.
Support mentor longevity: Arches has struggled with mentor longevity, as mentors are employed part-time but asked to be on call 24/7. This disconnect resulted in a high turnover rate among mentors. Long-lasting mentor relationships are critical to Arches’ success. Therefore, sites should take steps to support mentors’ long-term involvement, which may include increased pay or benefits, increased education and professional development opportunities, or reduced on-call requirements.
.Leverage alumni experiences: An evaluation found that conversations between peers during group mentoring sessions were particularly positive experiences for participants. In these group conversations, program alumni were especially valuable resources for describing their own journeys through Arches towards achieving their own goals. Sites should maintain relationships with their alumni, and then formalize the role of alumni participating in group mentorship sessions, in order to leverage their experience.