“Not every kid needs a mentor,
but every kid deserves one.”
– Governor Pillen
Public Servant Youth Mentorship Program
Welcome Message
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Youth Mentor through the State of Nebraska’s Public Servant Youth Mentoring Program! There are approximately 2,500 kids in Nebraska who are waiting for a mentor. You could make a significant difference in the life of a child and in your community in as little as one hour a week.
There are many benefits to mentoring including:
- Mentored youth are more likely to earn higher grades and are less likely to drop out of school (Mentoring.org, 2014)
- Mentored youth are less likely to engage in substance abuse, delinquency, and risky sexual behavior (Mentoring.org, 2014)
- Mentored youth often report higher levels of self-esteem and self-efficacy (Rhodes, 2002)
- Mentoring can lead to increased empathy, reduced aggression, and improved social problem-solving skills (Rhodes, 2002)
- American adults attribute an extraordinary amount of credit for their life outcomes to their mentors. In fact, one-third of American’s give their mentors at least 75% of the credit! (Mentoring.com, 2023)
Testimonials
Below are testimonials from current and former Youth Mentors as well as all the information you need to pursue this noble goal. Thank you again for taking this first step to become a Youth Mentor.
FAQs
Mentors provide advice, guidance, and emotional support by helping youth navigate life’s challenges.
Nebraska public servants wishing to participate in a youth mentoring program can request to adjust their current work schedules up to one hour per week if the public servant meets the state-approved guidelines. Interested public servants can mentor through an approved mentoring program through Mentor Nebraska. Individuals are required to complete the appropriate training as outlined by the mentoring organization of their choice.
Individuals may use flex time, the one (1) hour per week of mentorship leave, or another form of paid leave (vacation or comp time) for training.
Eligible state public servants are granted one hour of paid mentoring leave per week.
State public servants should consult with their supervisor for other flex or leave time opportunities.
Agency leadership is responsible for maintaining and setting public servant work schedules including the ability for public servants to flex work schedules. Please see the Nebraska Classified System Personnel Rules and/or the appropriate Labor Contract for more information on leave time.
The following are the eligibility requirements for participation:
- The public servant’s current performance review is satisfactory, and the public servant is not currently on a performance improvement plan.
- For paid leave, the mentoring program is on the list of approved youth mentoring programs. For recognition, the organization must be vetted through the Department of Administrative Services (DAS).
- The public servant follows agency guidelines in submitting request to adjust time.
- The public servant meets all background checks and additional requirements of the mentoring program.
- The public servant signs the Accident Waiver and Release of Liability Form and returns the form to their HR representative.
Please follow the steps below to become a Public Servant Youth Mentor:
Let your supervisor know that you are interested in becoming a Public Servant Youth Mentor.
Determine if you are eligible for participation (below):
- Public servants must provide their supervisor’s proof (email, confirmation letter, etc.) that they meet all background checks and additional requirements of the mentoring program they choose.
- Each agency is responsible for verifying the youth mentoring program is on the approved mentoring list.
- An agency may deny a request if the public servant’s absence is not in the best interest of the State, interferes with agency operations and/or services, or the public servant does not meet the eligibility requirements.
Public servants wishing to participate in youth mentoring programs may select from the state approved list.
If there is an organization in your community with which you mentor that is not currently on the Mentor Nebraska Mentor Connector, please email Teresa with Mentor Nebraska at teresa@mentornebraska.org for the organization to be considered.
In this situation, the public servant may consult with their supervisor regarding using their mentoring leave time at the end of the day to make sure that they are on time to their post-work mentoring program if it starts soon after the workday ends. Mentorship leave is not available during non-work times.
Public servants who participate in the Youth Mentorship program may be eligible for the following benefits:
- One paid hour off per week
- A Certificate of Participation
- A Youth Mentorship Challenge Coin for the top State Public Servant Youth Mentors
Public servants must follow the State of Nebraska’s Acceptable Use Policy. Public servants are allowed to review the mentoring options on the database using a state computer, however, must do so on their lunch break or regular breaks. Any additional use of state equipment must be in alignment with the State’s and his/her agency’s acceptable use policy.
While public servants can be paid up to one hour a week for their mentoring activities, this is considered personal time and not work time.
As such, supervisors should ensure that public servants sign the Accident Waiver and Release of Liability Form prior to participating in volunteer mentoring activities.
Forms should be returned to the appropriate agency HR personnel for retainment.
Forms and Documents
| State Personnel Charitable Engagement - Public Servant Youth Mentorship Program |
|---|
| Description | Last Revised | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Public Servant Youth Mentorship Program Guidelines | 03/05/2025 | |
| Public Servant Youth Mentorship Program Waiver Form | 09/04/2024 | |
| Public Servant Youth Mentorship Program Opportunities at Mentor Nebraska | External |