S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   5535
 
                        2023-2024 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                              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:
 
   Section 1. The Northport-East Northport union free school district  is
 authorized  and  directed  to  establish  a  Northport  high school peer
 mentoring pilot program. Such pilot program shall include,  but  not  be
 limited to:
   1. prior to the 2023-2024 school year:
   (a)  a  review  of  Northport High School's existing mentoring program
 model;
   (b) the collection of resources and the  solicitation  of  recommenda-
 tions  to strengthen a peer mentoring model and ensure the best outcomes
 for both the mentors and mentees utilizing evidence-based research;
   (c) the collection of resources and the  solicitation  of  recommenda-
 tions around elements of effective practice in mentoring, including, but
 not  limited to, recruitment, screening, training, matching and initiat-
 ing, monitoring and support, and closure;
   (d) a review of best and emerging practices  to  recruit  and  onboard
 both mentors, mentees and stakeholders throughout the community;
   (e) the development of an articulated recruitment and support outreach
 plan;
   (f) the implementation of a mentor screening tool;
   (g)  the  creation  of communication tools and marketing collateral to
 support recruitment and communication efforts, including, but not limit-
 ed to:
   (i) position description;
   (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
 
   (iii) letter to families; and
   (iv) information for faculty;
   (h)  the  design  and facilitation of onboarding training for mentors,
 mentees, and all coordinators and liaisons; and
   (i) a determination and implementation of  the  best  pre-and-post-ap-
 proach  in  evaluating the efficacy and impact of the program on mentors
 and mentees;
   2. during the 2023-2024 school year:
   (a) the implementation of a peer mentoring program;
   (b) a 2-hour virtual training for all school staff to  infuse  mentor-
 like characteristics employ tactics to impact students positively;
   (c)  the  creation of a team of trainers that can help quickly onboard
 future mentors as needed;
   (d) a recorded training for mentors and volunteers to access at  their
 convenience;
   (e)  the  use  of  the  search  institutes developmental relationships
 framework to reinforce existing strengths in the school's  relationship-
 centered culture, and encourage reflection in potential growth areas;
   (f)  the  providing  of continuous support and training including, but
 not limited to:
   (i) enrichment training in specific content areas including,  but  not
 limited to:
   (A) improving listening skills;
   (B) identifying youth sparks;
   (C) discovering our boundaries;
   (D) personal assumptions and biases;
   (E) helping youth work through challenges; and
   (F) addressing challenging behaviors;
   (ii) peer-sharing roundtables; and
   (iii)  additional  resources  for  crucial  practices  to  enhance and
 strengthen mentoring relationships; and
   (g) a virtual relationship mapping exercise which  creates  an  inten-
 tional  plan  to  ensure  that  all  students graduate with a meaningful
 adult-youth relationship; and
   3. following the 2023-2024 school year:
   (a) an assessment of the pilot program which includes  recommendations
 for improvement;
   (b) the promotion of the pilot program to state-wide partners;
   (c)  the  advocation  for funding to continue the pilot program beyond
 the 2023-2024 school year; and
   (d) the creation of a report on the Northport high school peer mentor-
 ing pilot program which shall be submitted to the governor,  the  tempo-
 rary  president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, the minority
 leader of the senate, and the minority leader of the assembly  no  later
 than August 31, 2024.
   §  2.  This  act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be
 deemed repealed January 1, 2025.