California Mentoring Initiative for Youth with Disabilities
Mentoring is an important tool of success for youth, especially youth with disabilities. Mentoring can make an important difference to a young person who needs help navigating the road to achieving his or her future goals.
What is CMI?
The California Mentoring Initiative (CMI) is an exciting research-based project designed to develop the competence and potential of students with disabilities. Click here to see a video showing some of our achievements. Working in collaboration with San Diego State University's Interwork Institute, and the California Department of Rehabilitation, CMI intends to establish a mentoring model that will increase community integration, postsecondary education, and employment for transition age youth participating in the vocational rehabilitation system.
Mentor Selection Process
Participate in application and interview process
Attend provided training
Participate for 8 hours per month for a minimum of one year
Should have the ability to respond to periodic surveys
Mentees will be Department of Rehabilitation clients 16-26 years old
The Matching Process
Both TransAccess and East Side Union High School District will be responsible for recruiting, screening, and selecting mentors to be matched with referred student mentees. They will also oversee mentor relationships by monitoring weekly and monthly reporting.
Benefits of Mentoring
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Mentors |
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Mentees |
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Networking
Recognition
Academic benefits
Community services
Personal fulfillment
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Role models
Self-esteem
Increased knowledge
Successful goals
Social integration
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To become a mentor or for further information on the California Mentoring Initiative, please email or call Bob Zier at bzier@transaccess.org or (408) 278-2002. For more information on East Side Union High School District (ESUHSD) or the Deparment of Rehabilitation (DOR), click on the links above.
