[ TBI Projects | SCI Projects | Mentoring | Rehab | Resources | About RRC | Home ]
Ready, Set, Get... "Back on Track...To Success"
A Community Based Mentoring Program
The “Back on Track...To Success” mentoring program is focused on helping teens and young adults with disabilities to successfully get a job or go to college. We are currently inviting people 16-26 years of age, who have a disability and are interested in getting a job or enrolling in college/university, to be matched with a mentor.
A mentor is someone who may have had similar experiences and may assist you in achieving your goals. The mentors will be trained to help you by sharing, listening, providing information on local resources and support. Also, as part of the program there will be a vocational rehabilitation counselor and rehabilitation psychologist for any extra needed support.
Here are some points you should know about the program:
• To participate as a mentee in this program, an individual must be between 16-26 years of age, with a disability or has experienced an injury, and has a desire to be employed or enroll in college/university.
• Participants should be very interested in getting a job or going to college
• Program is free to all participants, including program related assistance from the program Vocational Counselor and Rehabilitation Psychologist
• Mentoring relationships are expected to last about one year
Interested in participating in this program? See links to the brochure & application “participant profile form”
For further information please contact the “Back on Track...To Success ” Community-based Mentoring Program at (408) 885-2397 or email Robert.Medel@hhs.co.santa-clara.ca.us.
Mentee (Participant) Brochure (PDF format, 436K)
Mentee (Participant) Profile Form (Word format, 52K)
Be a Mentor and Help Others Get "Back on Track"
The “Back on Track...To Success” Community-Based Mentoring Program is currently recruiting new mentors.
Volunteer Mentor Position Summary:
The “Back on Track...To Success” Community-Based Mentoring Program is designed for mentors to develop a lasting relationship with their mentee and assist their mentee in succeeding in his/her life goals especially educational and career goals. Each mentor is matched with a youth in their County who has an acquired disability, age 16-26, and needs additional educational assistance and emotional support.
Youth Served:
Most of the youth have been in inpatient rehabilitation for TBI or SCI at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. Youth are invited to participate based on their educational and career goals, desire to have a mentor, and qualifying disability
Mentor Responsibilities:
Meet (in person, call, or email) with mentee weekly. Maintain weekly contact with your mentee and the Program Coordinator.
Compensation for Mentors:
$100 per month stipend to help mentor with the cost associated with mentoring, such as phone bills, gas, etc.
Time Commitment:
2 hours a week for a minimum 12 month period
Preferred Qualifications:
Personal Experience with SCI/TBI or other acquired disability is highly desirable; Work experience highly desirable, Post Secondary Education Experience highly desirable. Able to make a long term commitment; Knowledge of the high school and college and vocational system for individuals with disabilities including the financial aid process, SSI; Excellent Communication Skills; Experience working with diverse communities; Ability to be open-minded and understanding of issues relating to teens young adults and disability communities
Required Training:
Mentoring 101
Essential for Mentors, including how to be a mentor, building the “helping relationship”
Vocational and Educational issues for Mentors
Screening Process:
Mentor profile form (Application), Interview, Orientation, Criminal Background Check, and three references
Locations: Santa Clara County, Alameda, Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Merced, Monterey, Sacramento, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Stanislaus
Thank you for considering becoming a mentor!
If you are interested in becoming a mentor please fill out our online Mentor Profile Form at and either mail or e-mail it to us with your current resume. For further information please contact the “Back on Track” Community-based Mentoring Program at (408) 885-2397 or email Robert.Medel@hhs.co.santa-clara.ca.us.
Mentor Brochure (PDF format, 444K)
Mentor Profile Form (Word format, 40K)
THE ROBOT
The ROBOT (Resource Options for Back on Track) is the new creation at the Rehab Research Center. This educational, vocational, recreational, and transportation resource guide was created for individuals with disabilities. It was designed specifically to aid mentors and mentees in the Back on Track... To Success community mentoring program, but guess what? It works for everyone else, too. It lists hundreds of resources in its 11 chapters and over 240 pages. The ROBOT is most useful for individuals living within the following California counties: Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Merced, Monterey, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, or Stanislaus. Find out more about the ROBOT by downloading it here: ROBOT.pdf (1.42MB)
Copyright © 2006 Rehabilitation Research Center at SCVMC