title: The potential contribution of mentor programs to relational permanency for youth aging out of foster care.
abstract: This article summarizes published research regarding the effectiveness of mentor programs in general, and for youth in foster care specifically, as a basis for evidence-based practice in child welfare. It examines the pros and cons of mentor programs and characteristics of programs that are more or less effective for achieving specific social goals. The author explores the opportunity cost of investments in transitional mentor programs versus efforts to find permanent parents for youth aging out of care, and concludes with practice and policy implications of these findings.
authors.affiliation: Cornell University, USA.
authors.forename: Rosemary J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Avery
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005581:Foster Home Care / Q000379:methods*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008611:Mentors; D012917:Social Adjustment; D060305:Transition to Adult Care; D014481:United States