O.C. ON TRACK 3 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Description of Outcome Tracking System: Please describe your organization's outcome tracking system that will enable you to fulfill the outcome selected above. The primary goal of On Track is to continue having a positive impact on vulnerable children, ages 8 to 11, in order to transform their lives and protect them from gang involvement, drug use, and educational failure. Additionally, the Kids On Track... through Mentoring Program is unique in that it provides opportunities for outstanding teens to become mentors, leaders and community volunteers through intense leadership training in order to help transform the lives of disadvantaged younger children. The 4-hour meetings take place at the school site, where the referred at -risk 3rd-5th grade students are matched with high school students who are trained by On Track. A nurturing family environment is created, which also includes rules, regulations and accountability, in addition to rewarding the children for positive behavior. For this project, On Track will recruit 60 mentors and mentees. Their families will also receive services. Through a nurturing, yet supervised and structured approach, the following services are provided at the school site: 1) one-on-one mentoring and youth asset building; 2) a comprehensive conflict resolution and character development curriculum; 3) academic assistance through homework assistance, and private tutoring; and 4) recreational opportunities. The program is provided once a week during the critical hours of 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. throughout the school year. To reinforce an already high frequency contact between mentors and mentees, special events and community service projects are provided quarterly. In order to achieve our goals, On Track will utilize 3 staff members, 2 AmeriCorps members, and several volunteers who will work with the 60 mentors and mentees, their parents, and the principal at the school site. On Track involves the parents through individual meetings, seminars, and special events. On Track measures the degree to which the program increases protective factors (i.e. school bonding and problem solving), decreases risk factors (i.e. attitudes towards gangs, violence, and ATOD use), increases academic performance, and delays the onset of substance use amongst program participants is being tested and measured. A pre and post assessment is being conducted. A multi -method evaluation, utilizing a combination of quantitative and qualitative components, is being implemented. The following measures are being collected on an annual basis: mentee pre and post surveys, mentor pre and post -surveys, teacher baseline referral and post assessments, and academic and attendance records. This quantitative data is analyzed using tests of significance over time and percentage change and maintenance scores. Supplemental qualitative info is gathered through focus groups. Through the use of the pre and post surveys, Orange County On Track's goal for the Santa Ana project is that 85% of the mentored students will demonstrate improvement in at least 5 of the following 7 objectives: 1) Increased ability to resolve conflicts peacefully; 2) Increased communication and listening skills' 3) Increased respect for families and people of all cultures; 4) Increased teamwork and cooperation skills; 5) Increased self-esteem, empathy, and leadership; 6) Decreased suspensions, expulsions, and referrals to the principal ; and 7) Decreased anti -social and disruptive behavior in classroom and in the school -yard. Exhibit A-1 Page 3 of 4