The purpose of Amachi is to provide one-to-one mentoring for youth ages 6 – 14 whose parents or family members are incarcerated or recently released from the prison system to “break the cycle” of incarceration.
Youth are engaged in mentoring relationships established primarily through partnerships with school districts, faith-based organizations, non-profit partnerships, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Prison Fellowship and Re-Entry programs across Texas.
The Texas Education Agency focuses state and federal resources on identifying and replicating proven strategies for dropout prevention. According to the United State Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences Dropout Prevention Practice Guide, providing adult advocates is an effective strategy to help youth pursue a future of success. Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) has conducted independent research showing the impact of mentoring on student outcomes. The BBBS Amachi Mentoring Program focuses on 3 components:
- Reducing juvenile delinquency;
- Improving educational achievement and promotion through high school graduation; and
- Enhancing personal and social well-being.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Texas (BBBS –NT) implements the Amachi mentoring program and subcontracts with 10 BBBS programs throughout Texas to provide mentoring for children of incarcerated adults.
2,491 youth were mentored in FY2012
726 youth represent new matches
80% of the matches were sustained for at least 6 months
59% of the matches were sustained for 12 months
99.8% of students served were satisfied with the program, based on 1442 surveys that were completed
96.5% of the mentors were satisfied with the mentoring experience, based on 1526 surveys that were completed
23 community partnerships were established to assist with meeting program goals
Student Outcomes 2010-2011 School Year
Of the 2,727 youth served in FY 11, BBBS reported:
98% were promoted to the next grade
98.7% avoided involvement with the criminal justice system
95.6% remained in school without placement in an alternative education program
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Funds
FY2008 - $2,500,000
FY2009 - $2,500,000
FY2010 - $2,500,000
FY2011 - $2,500,000
FY2012 - $1,250,000
FY2013 - $1,250,000
General Appropriations Act, Article III, Rider 65, 82nd Texas Legislature, 2011
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Plan
Federal & State Education Policy
512.936.6060