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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Indian River County, CSAC "Jump into Reading" Program <br /> PROPOSAL NARRATIVE <br /> Please respond to each question in the allotted space for each section. In responding to each section of <br /> the proposal narrative, please retain the section-label and/or question that you are addressing . Type <br /> using 12 pt. font on 8 '/2" X 11 " paper and number each page . These directions and the graphic boxes <br /> may be deleted if space is needed . <br /> A. ORGANIZATION CAPABILITY (Entire Section ,4 not to exceed one page) <br /> 1 . Provide the mission statement and vision of your organization. The mission of Big <br /> Brothers Big Sisters of Indian River County (BBBS ) is to foster positive mentoring <br /> relationships and bonding with caring adult volunteers so that children grow to be capable , <br /> confident, productive, caring, responsible men and women who reach their full potential . The <br /> agency ' s vision is to achieve the promise of mentoring through school -based "matches" that <br /> build resiliency and literacy skills in children while combating risky behaviors resulting in <br /> early educational failure , increased drop-out rates, substance abuse, mental health issues, <br /> gang participation, early and persistent antisocial behavior, delinquency, truancy and teen <br /> pregnancy, <br /> 2. Provide a brief summary of your organization including areas of expertise, <br /> accomplishments, and population served. BBBS is a structured mentoring program <br /> intended to improve the capacity of children in Indian River County to succeed to adulthood <br /> in a safe, healthy and productive manner. It is based on the Social Development Strategy <br /> Model that is goal oriented toward the development of new learning skills, healthy beliefs, <br /> clear standards, bonding and social/emotional growth. Primary prevention services are <br /> provided through school-based mentoring. Expertise in volunteer recruitment, background <br /> screening, interviewing, assessment, training, matching, one-to-one mentoring, case <br /> management, program evaluation and family literacy enables the Agency to consistently <br /> achieve its goals and objectives . Volunteers undergo a careful screening process, orientation <br /> and training prior to being matched, followed by ongoing supervision and support. Matches <br /> meet weekly in two , thirty-minute sessions on school grounds , during the school day. <br /> Regular contact is maintained among the Case Managers, volunteers , schools and clients . <br /> Goals are set with the help of stakeholders . All aspects of the program are governed by Big <br /> Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) Standards of Service. These are nationally <br /> adopted, strict standards to ensure BBBS agencies are providing a quality, research-based <br /> mentoring service . BBBS is outcome-based and has been acknowledged for its ability to <br /> promote bonding, healthy beliefs, clear standards , positive attitudes and academic results by <br /> reputable researchers such as Public Private Ventures and CTC Prevention Strategies: A <br /> Research Guide to What Works. Big Brothers Big Sisters has a track record of local, state <br /> and national success . The Governor ' s Mentoring Initiative has just completed a statewide <br /> study of mentoring outcomes indicating that Florida BBBS school-based clients have shown <br /> marked improvement in reading, math and conduct as compared with non-mentored students <br /> (Grise , Florida State University ; 2003 , 2004) . Our target population includes Kindergarten, <br /> 1St and 2nd graders from varied ethnic backgrounds . Volunteers also come from diverse <br /> backgrounds relative to age, ethnicity and gender. <br /> 4 <br />