FAQs about Mentors
What is a Mentor?
Mentors are independent contractors who open their hearts and their homes to care for a child, adolescent or adult with special needs. With the support of a specialized team of health and human service professionals, Mentors become trusted guides, tutors and advocates for the individuals with whom they live. This special relationship between the Mentor and the individual provides the structure and support for development, growth and change — in a natural setting.
Who do Mentors care for?
Individuals receiving services include people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities, children and adolescents with emotional or behavioral challenges, children with medically complex needs, people who have sustained brain injuries, and court-involved youth.
Why Mentors?
Our philosophy, which has proven successful for more than 25 years, is to provide supports to individuals in the least restrictive, most natural and normalized setting possible. For many, this setting is a Mentor home.
What type of care is involved?
The services Mentors provide are specifically tailored to meet the needs of the individuals with whom they live. The actual level of support, supervision and active assistance varies, depending on the needs of each individual. This flexible approach has helped The MENTOR Network help thousands of people lead fulfilling lives in the community.
Who can become a Mentor?
Mentors do not conform to any standard profile. They represent a wide range of racial and ethnic groups, skills, education levels, neighborhood settings, and family arrangements. One constant among Mentors, however, is their commitment to the well being and personal growth of the individuals they serve.
What else is required?
To become a Mentor, you must be at least 21 years of age and have:
- A demonstrated commitment to make a difference in someone's life
- Access to reliable transportation
- An additional separate bedroom
How are Mentors selected?
Because Mentors are our most vital resource, we carefully screen and support these important people. Our comprehensive selection process includes, at a minimum:
- introductory meetings
- personal interviews
- home visits
- interviews with all household members
- personal, health and other reference checks
- criminal background checks
How are Mentors Supported?
The MENTOR Network offers opportunities for skill development and access to continued education in order to support the individuals for whom we provide services. We also offer a competitive stipend, as well as access to 24-hour professional support. Relief support is also available as a break or back-up for Mentors. The real reward, however, is the relationship that develops between the Mentor and the individual and the satisfaction of helping make a real difference in another person's life.
Want to learn more? Send an email to becomeamentor@thementornetwork.com. Please specify the state in which you are interested in working.
