Posted by eporter on March 10, 2025
New Evidence-Based Standards of Practice for Mentoring Programs Outlined in the Fifth Edition of MENTOR’s Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring™
The fifth and newest edition of the Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring™ (EEPM) is now available. MENTOR releases a new edition of the EEPM each year to provide mentoring programs with the latest research in the field of mentoring and guidance for developing and/or maintaining a successful, impactful program. The EEPM functions as a handbook with evidence-based Standards of Practice for mentoring programs and actionable strategies for recruiting and supporting mentors and mentees, staffing and evaluating a program, and more.
The EEPM incorporates insight from experienced practitioners in the field of mentoring, including researchers at Mentoring Central who have been contributing to the development of the EEPM for many years. This year, Mentoring Central Research Scientists Drs. Janis Kupersmidt and Rebecca Stelter participating in a Working Group in the development of the fifth edition of the EEPM. Drs. Kupersmidt and Stelter contributed their expertise in researching and developing training for mentors, mentees, and parents of mentees to the new edition of the EEPM to help mentoring programs learn more about the benefits of mentoring training and how to implement it into their program.
What is new in the fifth edition of the EEPM?
The fifth edition of the EEPM outlines 10 brand new Elements of effective practice for mentoring programs as well as evidence-based Standards of Practice, a discussion, and implementation strategies for each. This edition discusses new research and best practices related to youth and community voice and values, creating inclusive and safe program spaces for all, and stronger program design and evaluation.
The Standards of Practice in the new edition are now more adaptable than ever before. Each section contains specific suggestions for adapting the Standards for various mentoring program models, including group mentoring programs, peer mentoring programs, e-mentoring programs, school and formal site-based programs, and informal programs. Each section also provides a list of questions for program staff to consider and potential metrics to track to help them evaluate and improve their program. Program staff can now read suggestions for promoting engagement from youth and the community and access additional resources related to the Standards in each section.
The EEPM now has its own website (https://eepm.mentoring.org/), so program staff can view the EEPM’s content in a more interactive, digestible way. However, program staff can also download a free copy of the new edition or purchase a physical copy if preferred.
To read the new edition of the EEPM containing Mentoring Central’s expertise and new Standards of Practice for mentoring programs, visit https://eepm.mentoring.org/.