Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt, Kinder Unveil Missouri Mentor Initiative
New Pilot Project Encourages State Workers to Mentor Children
JEFFERSON CITY– Gov. Matt Blunt and Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder today launched the Missouri Mentor Initiative to encourage state employees to participate in mentoring programs such as Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Blunt and Kinder created the innovative program to help expand the number of adult role models for children, which has proven to be a key factor in lifelong success. The pilot project will provide state employees with flexibility to invest in Missouri students during school hours.
"The Missouri Mentor Initiative offers a new and innovative way to make a difference in the lives of Missouri children," Gov. Matt Blunt said. "It combines two of our state's greatest resources, state employees and young Missourians, to form a partnership that offers immeasurable long-term benefits for students who need an adult role model in their lives."
"The Missouri Mentor Initiative will open doors for our school-age children," said Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, who will coordinate and manage the new program. "Missouri's kids will learn and grow through this great program, but the adults involved with this program will be enriched beyond measure. I thank the governor for making this initiative a reality."
The governor created the Missouri Mentor Initiative by executive order to allow state employees to invest their time in Missouri students during the school day. The program will offer employees the flexibility to spend one hour per week mentoring a child at his or her school.
The Missouri Mentor Initiative will begin immediately as a one-year pilot project. Following the pilot project, it will be evaluated to measure benefits and participation. The initiative will provide up to 200 state employees the flexibility to spend one hour per week for up to 40 hours per year to help mentor a Missouri student. The lieutenant governor's office will oversee the initiative.
The time investment holds the potential to make a significant and lasting impact in the lives of at least 200 Missouri students. Research shows that school-based mentoring for children has resulted in improvements in academic performance, positive attitudes toward school, higher levels of self-confidence, relationships with peers and high school graduation rates. For many children a mentor can be the key ingredient that helps them steer clear of crime and jail time.
Gov. Blunt has worked diligently to support Missouri students. Education is his number one priority. He has increased funding for elementary and secondary education every year he has been in office. His proposed budget for next year combined with past increases totals more than one half of $1 billion in funding for education in the last three years. He also has called to more than double funding for needs-based scholarships, recommended $40 million in new funding for colleges and universities, and proposed a three-year plan that increases funding by more than $110 million. Blunt also has pledged that he will never withhold money approved for Missouri classrooms. In addition, his early childhood initiatives are working to ensure Missouri's youngest students get a head start on lifelong learning.