New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth and Families (

The mission of New Hampshires Department of Health and Human Services, of which the Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) is a part, is: To join communities and families in providing opportunities for citizens to achieve health and independence.

The DCYF CommunityConnect program is seeking to recruit and train adult volunteers to serveas mentors for youth ages 14+ whoare in foster care or residential placement and are referred by Child ProtectiveServices (CPS) workers or Juvenile Probation Officers.

Mentors are matched with youth based on shared interests,personalities and geographic proximity. We want ouryouth in foster care to build meaningful adult connections and confidence intrusting others. So we ask mentors to commit to getting together with their mentee onceweekly (or 4 hours per month) for at least a year. Eachmentor receives training and is professionally supported by a DCYF ConnectionSpecialist.

A mentor is:

Someone who can befriend and have fun with ateen. He or she is a relationship-builder, a supporter, a careerguide, a role model, a listener, a tutor, a confidence-builder, a motivator, acoach.

A mentor is not:

A parent, a judge, a preacher, a therapist, asocial worker, a disciplinarian, a gift giver, an ATM.

Mentor candidates will be asked to:

Provide proof of avalid drivers license + up to date vehicle insurance and inspection; and

Authorize screening through:

Child Abuse/NeglectCentral Registry

Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services (BEAS) Registry

NH Division of State Police (applicants willhave to pay $10 for the state police records screening)