Contra Costa County Health Pathway High School E-Mentoring Program
March-May, 2010
Goal of the e-Mentoring Program Pilot:
To connect young people interested in Health Careers with supportive, caring adults in the career field.
To give Health industry employers purposeful connections with young people interested in the career field; to provide them with information about the workplace; and to help them better understand career transitions from secondary to post-secondary education, training and jobs.
To present an ideal opportunity to employees who want to interact with youth in the community but cannot leave the workplace on a regular basis for traditional tutoring or mentoring programs.
To improve student reading, writing, presentation and computer skills.
To increase support for students who are members of the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) statewide organization.
Why e-Mentoring in Contra Costa County? E-Mentoring allows more students and health professionals to connect easily and frequently.
Outcomes for Students:
Career Health Display and/or report (either written or in powerpoint) which communicates career-specific information. Students will present the project to fellow students and at end-of-year award ceremonies.
—Students will be graded on the project and on the effectiveness of communications with the industry mentor.
e-Mentoring Helps Contra Costa High Schools
High School Health Academy/Pathway teachers engage THEIR students in research and hands-on learning connected to the world of work. The e-Mentoring Program motivates students to succeed in school, career and life.
e-Mentoring Program Model:
One to two students are matched with one health professional mentor.
The student(s) and the mentor exchange weekly e-mail messages over a 6-week period. Weekly e-mail exchanges do not exceed more than 30 minutes and can be done anytime, day or night.
First e-mail exchange can include the sharing of resumes for both student and health professional.
E-mentoring program is integrated into core curriculum and each assignment has specific goals for mentor contact.
The curriculum is consistent with the new California Career Technical Education frameworks, and also supports the National Health Care Career Standards.
E-mentor Guide instructs the health professional on each week's assignment and offers helpful hints for successful interaction with students.
Student Guides supports appropriate communications protocol and is paced for the 6-week instructional program.
  
Who is Participating?
Industry Partner/e-Mentor Coordinator: Sutter Health
School Partner: Richmond High School Health Academy, Richmond
e-Mentor Advisor: Contra Costa Economic Partnership
Who Will Coordinate the Program?
Sutter Health will take the leadership in managing the industry liaison with Richmond High School in 2010. Contra Costa Economic Partnership's Workforce Initiative will serve as a third party advisor to the Contra Costa e-Mentoring program. CCEP works with hospital and school representatives to enhance the high quality experience for both health professionals, teachers and students participating in the 2010 e-mentor program.
Time Commitment from Industry
It will take an e-Mentor no more than 30 minutes weekly to participate in the program. The program lasts for six weeks commencing in late February/early March and concluding in May 2010. An end-of-pilot program evaluation will also be included late May. Mentors have an option to participate in the participating schools' end-of-year awards & celebration events (usually held in May) to meet students face-to-face and to review student work.
Week 1:Introduction: student/mentor-sharing short bio (sample included in Guide).
Week 2:Further Exploration of Student Engagement In School (classes, extra curricular activities, current career plans, etc.) Give feedback on student bio/resume and importance of communications.
Week 3:Answer student questions about your career field & your pathway to it.
Week 4:Provide Information About Career Ladders in your field; focus on importance of working in teams; personal responsibility, and begin to discuss goal setting-short term and long term.
Week 5:Continue with goal-setting. Share resources with student, including internet sites (provided to mentors), company information, etc., for students to explore.
Week 6:Discuss importance of test-taking, volunteering, preparing for post-secondary education or training. Pilot Implementation:
Roles in E-Mentoring Program

Teachers:
· Integrate E-mentoring program as a part of the curriculum
· Obtain parent/guardian permission
· Monitor student communications weekly
· Participate in training with mentors and support students
· Attend a monthly Contra Costa Health Pathway meeting that serves as the program's steering committee.
Health Care Business Coordinators:
· Recruit employees
· Arrange for on-line training for prospective mentors
· Attend monthly Contra Costa Health Pathway meetings that serve as the program's steering committee.
· Helps plan and pilot the program.
· Coordinates between high school teachers and business coordinators
· Matches employees to students
· Provides on-line training
· Manages ongoing communications, program implementation and expectations of pilot outcomes
· Problem-solves during 6-week program
· Evaluates pilot through survey instruments completed by mentors, students and teachers.
Contra Costa Economic Partnership
Advises both the Health Care Business Coordinator and High School Teacher Coordinator throughout the process.

 

Want to get involved?
Complete the on-line training and let us know of your interest! It's as easy as 1, 2, 3!