Quality Mentoring - Mentoring works best when measures are taken to ensure quality and effectiveness.  Advanced research affirms the importance of accountability and responsibility in meeting our young people's needs.  Based on the latest mentoring policies, practices, experiences, and research, the Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring^TM (EEP) serves as the gold standard for mentoring.  The guidelines were developed and published by the Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota's (MPM) national organization, MENTOR, with the support of leading experts and researchers in the field, state mentoring partnerships, practitioners and federal funders.

The Elements of Effective Practice is divided into four sections to support:

• Program Design and Planning    
• Program Management
• Program Operations   
• Program Evaluation

Why use the EEP in my mentoring program? 
These guidelines allow you to evaluate how your program is doing and helps you improve your current practices.

What is MPM’s role in supporting quality mentoring through the EEP? 
MPM developed the Quality Mentoring Assessment Path (QMAP) to raise the quality of Minnesota’s mentoring programs through a structured, systematic process utilizing the EEP to create a benchmark of current quality practices to improve future practice.  This tool will:

• Support mentoring programs through expanded MPM trainings around quality standards;
• Lend credibility to individual programs and attract resources and support for the mentoring field;
• Establish consistent high standards among mentoring programs across the state;
• Help families and volunteers feel confident about participating in a mentoring program that meets quality standards.
• And most importantly, help protect youth participating in a mentoring program.

How Does My Program Access the QMAP?
MPM is conducting two QMAP pilot projects this winter and spring, supporting and guiding 35 mentoring programs through the QMAP process. 

To take part in the pilot project, programs had to meet the following criteria:

• Participating program must be a Minnesota-based mentoring program
• Participating program must be in operation for at least two years
• Participating program must be actively working with at least 20 matches
• Participating program must be a youth-to-adult mentoring program

Thanks to all the pilot participants; we truly value your commitment to quality mentoring!

The QMAP is set to launch publicly for all Minnesota mentoring programs later this year. 

Expand Your Program
Register Your Mentoring Program  

About the Quality Mentoring Assessment Path
 - PDF of the QMAP

Special thanks to the Curtis L. Carlson Family Foundation for supporting the creation of the QMAP.

MPM also thanks the following organizations for their support of quality mentoring.