STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
5535
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
March 16, 2023
___________
Introduced by M. of A. K. BROWN -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Education
AN ACT establishing the Northport high school peer mentoring pilot
program; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expira-
tion thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The Northport-East Northport union free school district is
2 authorized and directed to establish a Northport high school peer
3 mentoring pilot program. Such pilot program shall include, but not be
4 limited to:
5 1. prior to the 2023-2024 school year:
6 (a) a review of Northport High School's existing mentoring program
7 model;
8 (b) the collection of resources and the solicitation of recommenda-
9 tions to strengthen a peer mentoring model and ensure the best outcomes
10 for both the mentors and mentees utilizing evidence-based research;
11 (c) the collection of resources and the solicitation of recommenda-
12 tions around elements of effective practice in mentoring, including, but
13 not limited to, recruitment, screening, training, matching and initiat-
14 ing, monitoring and support, and closure;
15 (d) a review of best and emerging practices to recruit and onboard
16 both mentors, mentees and stakeholders throughout the community;
17 (e) the development of an articulated recruitment and support outreach
18 plan;
19 (f) the implementation of a mentor screening tool;
20 (g) the creation of communication tools and marketing collateral to
21 support recruitment and communication efforts, including, but not limit-
22 ed to:
23 (i) position description;
24 (ii) promotional materials;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06292-01-3
A. 5535 2
1 (iii) letter to families; and
2 (iv) information for faculty;
3 (h) the design and facilitation of onboarding training for mentors,
4 mentees, and all coordinators and liaisons; and
5 (i) a determination and implementation of the best pre-and-post-ap-
6 proach in evaluating the efficacy and impact of the program on mentors
7 and mentees;
8 2. during the 2023-2024 school year:
9 (a) the implementation of a peer mentoring program;
10 (b) a 2-hour virtual training for all school staff to infuse mentor-
11 like characteristics employ tactics to impact students positively;
12 (c) the creation of a team of trainers that can help quickly onboard
13 future mentors as needed;
14 (d) a recorded training for mentors and volunteers to access at their
15 convenience;
16 (e) the use of the search institutes developmental relationships
17 framework to reinforce existing strengths in the school's relationship-
18 centered culture, and encourage reflection in potential growth areas;
19 (f) the providing of continuous support and training including, but
20 not limited to:
21 (i) enrichment training in specific content areas including, but not
22 limited to:
23 (A) improving listening skills;
24 (B) identifying youth sparks;
25 (C) discovering our boundaries;
26 (D) personal assumptions and biases;
27 (E) helping youth work through challenges; and
28 (F) addressing challenging behaviors;
29 (ii) peer-sharing roundtables; and
30 (iii) additional resources for crucial practices to enhance and
31 strengthen mentoring relationships; and
32 (g) a virtual relationship mapping exercise which creates an inten-
33 tional plan to ensure that all students graduate with a meaningful
34 adult-youth relationship; and
35 3. following the 2023-2024 school year:
36 (a) an assessment of the pilot program which includes recommendations
37 for improvement;
38 (b) the promotion of the pilot program to state-wide partners;
39 (c) the advocation for funding to continue the pilot program beyond
40 the 2023-2024 school year; and
41 (d) the creation of a report on the Northport high school peer mentor-
42 ing pilot program which shall be submitted to the governor, the tempo-
43 rary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, the minority
44 leader of the senate, and the minority leader of the assembly no later
45 than August 31, 2024.
46 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be
47 deemed repealed January 1, 2025.
