Friends of the Children – King County to take part in national mentoring study!

This August, the national chapter of Friends of the Children received a grant from the National Institute of Health (NIH) to fund a long-term, rigorous research study to assess Friends of the Children’s approach to mentoring. It will be the first ever study to directly examine the relationship between mentors and their children, and the first study of professional mentoring in 60 years. The King County branch will be one of four FOTC branches to take part in this exciting study, along with branches in Portland, New York and Boston.

In the Spring of 2008 and again in Spring 2009, FOTC-KC will bring on two new mentors and sixteen new children to be a part of this study. The study will follow these children, as well as a randomized control group, for a minimum of four years in order to assess the affect of professional mentoring on the children’s’ academic, social and emotional growth.

FOTC-KC knows how well its approach to mentoring works from seeing the amazing growth and progress of the children in the program. This study will offer the opportunity to prove the program’s effectiveness in a scientific research study, which will help FOTC-KC to expand the program and serve ever-greater numbers of vulnerable children in Seattle and beyond. By being a part of this landmark study, FOTC-KC will get to participate in shaping the future of mentoring.  For more information, please contact Edgar.