Quality Partners are formal mentoring programs and organizations that have participated in the National Quality Mentoring System (NQMS), have demonstrated a high level of adherence to quality standards and are committed to continuous improvement.
National Quality Mentoring System (NQMS)
The National Quality Mentoring System (NQMS) provides a structured, systematic process for assessing the quality of a mentoring program’s practices in alignment with the Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring. NQMS gives youth mentoring programs a meaningful indicator of quality and lends credibility to individual programs to help them attract resources and support. It also helps families and volunteers feel confident about participating in a mentoring program that meets national quality standards.
NQMS is 6-9 month process for mentoring programs, and includes the following core components:
- An online self-assessment survey completed by the mentoring program, with questions about program operations, management, and evaluation
- A review and summary prepared by MENTOR North Carolina based on the program’s self-assessment
- An assessment review meeting between MENTOR North Carolina and the mentoring program
- The development of goals and a work plan for the program to make quality improvements with the help of training and support from MENTOR North Carolina
Programs that participate in NQMS have the opportunity to receive a quality designation, and be featured by MENTOR North Carolina as a quality partner.
For more information on the NQMS process and how to become a Quality Partner, contact Samuel Bellamy (sbellamy@mentornc.org), Director of Technical Assistance and Leadership Development.
MENTOR North Carolina Quality Partners
- Fathers on the Move
- Boomerang Youth