To refer a student to Blackburn Mentoring, suggest it to the family, or to the student if they are an adult, and have them complete the five-minute assessment or call (888) 305 5422. Our team reviews it and holds a free intro call, then matches the student with one dedicated mentor. With written permission, the mentor shares progress with you and coordinates with the professionals already involved.
Who can refer
Anyone who works with students can suggest mentoring to a family, including:
- School counselors, teachers and learning specialists (see for school counselors)
- Advisors, deans and college counselors at independent schools (see for independent schools)
- Independent educational consultants (see for educational consultants)
- College advisors, student success, disability services and dean of students staff (see for college advisors)
- Therapists and other professionals working with a student (see for professionals)
Students who tend to be a good fit
- High school or college students who understand the work but struggle to plan, start or finish it
- Students facing a transition, such as starting high school, a gap year or the first year of college
- Students on academic probation or working to catch up
- Students who are willing to take part; mentoring works best when the student wants the help
Step by step
- Suggest mentoring. Tell the family, or the adult student, why you think a mentor could help. Name what you are seeing, such as missed work or trouble keeping a routine.
- Share how to reach us. Give them the link to the five-minute assessment or our number, (888) 305 5422. You can also send them to our contact page.
- The family or student reaches out. They complete the assessment or call. It helps if they mention who referred them.
- Personal review. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally.
- Free intro call. We talk through goals and context. For high school students, a parent or guardian is always on the call and helps agree the goals.
- Matching. The student is matched with one dedicated mentor.
- Mentoring begins. The mentor and student set goals, break them into weekly steps and meet weekly or several times a week, with text and phone contact between sessions.
- Coordination, with permission. With written permission from the family, or from a student who is 18 or older, the mentor shares progress with you and coordinates.
What to tell the family
- A mentor is one person who works with the student every week on routines, planning and follow-through.
- Sessions are 30 or 60 minutes by video anywhere in the United States, or in person in Los Angeles.
- Plans are weekly or monthly. No prices are published; rates are reviewed on the free intro call.
- Parents of high school students are always involved and get regular progress updates. Adult students decide who hears updates.
Privacy and permission
Nothing about a student is shared with the referring professional without written permission. For a high school student, that comes from the family; for an adult student, it comes from the student. Follow your own school’s or practice’s policies on student information; the simplest route is for the family to make contact themselves. Our page on progress updates for parents explains how family updates work.
What mentors are not
Mentors work alongside the professionals already involved. They are not tutors, admissions counselors, clinicians or advocates, so academic instruction, admissions advice, treatment and formal advocacy stay with the right professional. See mentor vs tutor and academic coach vs mentor. If a student is dealing with mental health or substance use, a licensed professional is the right step. In a crisis, call or text 988.
Where a mentor helps
The strongest referrals are students who know what they need to do but struggle to do it consistently. See mentoring for high school students, mentoring for college students and mentoring for schools.
Related
Common questions
Can I fill out the assessment for the family?
The family, or the adult student, should complete it or call us, since the goals and details come from them. You are welcome to call (888) 305 5422 with general questions.
How long does the assessment take?
About five minutes. A member of our team reviews it personally and sets up a free intro call.
Will I be kept informed?
Yes, if the family or adult student gives written permission. The mentor then shares progress with you and coordinates.
Do you work with students outside Los Angeles?
Yes. Mentoring happens by video anywhere in the United States, scheduled in local time, and in person in Los Angeles.
Get started
Ready to refer a student? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.