Course Description

The Youth Mentor Fundamentals Training is a course usable by all mentor-style roles working with youth from birth to adulthood. The skills reviewed are usable within the role of a mentor, as well as providing information that is usable by any role working directly with youth. 

This training focuses on several key areas that you may experience in a youth mentor role, such as:

  • mental disorders in youth, 
  • trauma-responsive care, 
  • crisis management, 
  • and overall professionalism as a direct service provider for children and teenagers. 


This course is not a replacement for agency-specific policies, and is only meant as a supplement to help your understanding of youth and what they may be experiencing to better prepare you for your work in building relationships with those you will be serving.

The workbook connected with this training is meant as a tool to facilitate activities during the training and as a reference for when you have completed the training. For Child and Youth Mentor Roles, this training requires a supplemental certificate from a youth mental health first aid course to complete the requirements for training.

Course Curriculum

  • 1

    Module 1: Introduction to Mentoring Training

    • Introduction to Training

    • Youth Mentor Workbook Download

    • Workbook Activity 1.1

    • Course Acknowledgement

    • Role of a Youth Mentor

    • Building Trust and Mentoring Youth

    • Video Self-Reflection

    • The Power of Mentoring: Lori Hunt at TEDxCCS

    • Video Self-Reflection

    • Role of a Mentor vs Other Roles & Important People You May Work With

    • Workbook Review

    • Workbook Activity 1.2

    • Workbook Activity 1.3

    • Module 1 Quiz
  • 2

    Module 2: Disorders in Youth

    • Disclaimer for Your Role and Work With Youth & Person-First and Identity-First Language

    • Workbook Review 2.1

    • Autism Spectrum Disorder

    • What It's Like Living on the Autism Spectrum

    • Video Self-Reflection

    • Workbook Review 2.2

    • Intellectual Developmental Disabilites

    • What Is An Intellectual Disability?

    • Video Self-Reflection

    • Workbook Review 2.3

    • Reactive Attachment Disorder

    • What is Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)?

    • Video Self-Reflection

    • Workbook Review 2.4

    • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

    • Let's Talk About ADHD

    • Video Self-Reflection

    • Workbook Review 2.5

    • Mood Disorders

    • Bipolar Disorder: Signs & Symptoms in Children & Teens

    • Video Self-Reflection

    • Ask the Experts: Depression in Kids and How to Help

    • Video Self-Reflection

    • Workbook Review 2.6

    • Substance Use Disorder

    • Lessons From the Child of an Addict

    • Video Self-Reflection

    • Workbook Review 2.7

    • Learning Disabilities

    • My Learning Disability: A Love Story | Chandni Kazi | TEDxBerkeley

    • Video Self-Reflection

    • What is it Like to Have a Learning Disability?

    • Video Self-Reflection

    • Workbook Review 2.8

    • Dual Diagnosis Autism Spectrum Disorder & Mental Health: Part 1

    • Dual Diagnosis Autism Spectrum Disorder & Mental Health: Part 2

    • Dual Diagnosis Autism Spectrum Disorder & Mental Health: Part 3

    • Workbook Activity 2.1

    • Psychotrophic Medications

    • Workbook Review 2.8

    • Types of Services

    • Workbook Review 2.9

    • Workbook Activity 2.2

    • Module 2 Quiz
  • 3

    Module 3: Child and Adolescent Development

    • Early Childhood Development

    • Scaffolding

    • Video Self-Reflection

    • Workbook Activity 3.1

    • Adolescent Development

    • Workbook Activity 3.2

    • What Adolescents (or Teenagers) Need to Thrive | Charisse Nixon | TEDxPSUErie

    • Video Self-Reflection

    • Communication and the Teenage Brain. | Martyn Richards | TEDxNorwichED

    • Video Self-Reflection

    • Module 3 Quiz
  • 4

    Module 4: Family Systems and Engagement

    • Family System Theory

    • Workbook Review 4.1

    • Family Systems and Roles

    • Bowen Family Systems Theory

    • Video Self-Reflection

    • Dysfunctional Family Roles

    • Video Self-Reflection

    • Workbook Activity 4.1

    • Engaging with the Family and Family Culture and Values

    • Workbook Activity 4.2

    • Module 4 Quiz
  • 5

    Module 5: Trauma Responsive Care

    • Disclaimer for Section

    • Trauma Responsive Care: Part 1

    • Workbook Review 5.1

    • Trauma Responsive Care: Part 2

    • We Can Prevent ACEs

    • Video Self-Reflection

    • Workbook Review 5.2

    • Workbook Activity 5.1

    • Trauma Responsive Care: Part 3

    • Childhood Trauma and the Brain | UK Trauma Council

    • Video Self-Reflection

    • Window of Tolerance and Emotional Regulation (Dr. Dan Siegel)

    • Video Self-Reflection

    • How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime | Nadine Burke Harris | TED

    • Video Self-Reflection

    • Module 5 Quiz
  • 6

    Module 6: Communication Skills

    • Active Listening Skills

    • Workbook Review 6.1

    • Nonviolent Communication

    • Workbook Activity 6.1

    • Nonviolent Communication and Self Awareness | Maria Engels | TEDxAllendaleColumbiaSchool

    • Video Self-Reflection

    • Nonviolent Communication For Beginners

    • Video Self-Reflection

    • Nonviolent Communication with kids: 5-minute kickstart + demo

    • Video Self-Reflection

    • Compassionate Communication

    • Workbook Activity 6.2

    • Module 6 Quiz
  • 7

    Module 7: Working With a Youth

    • Working With a Youth and Creating Your Schedule

    • Workbook Activity 7.1

    • Supporting Youth Goals

    • Workbook Activity 7.2

    • Cultural Responsiveness

    • Workbook Review 7.1

    • Understanding Culture

    • Workbook Activity 7.3

    • The Magic of Mentoring At-Risk Youth

    • Video Self-Reflection

    • Module 7 Quiz
  • 8

    Module 8: Crisis Management

    • Crisis Management: Part 1

    • Workbook Review 8.1

    • Workbook Activity 8.1

    • Crisis Management: Part 2

    • Crisis De-escalation in Youth

    • Video Self-Reflection

    • Workbook Activity 8.2

    • Crisis Management: Part 3

    • Workbook Activity 8.3

    • Module 8 Quiz

    • Handle With Care Recorded Verbal Session

    • Handle With Care Verbal Quiz
  • 9

    Module 9: Professionalism

    • General Professionalism Principles

    • Workbook Review 9.1

    • Workbook Activity 9.1

    • Young Adult Peer Mentoring

    • Video Self-Reflection

    • Module 9 Quiz
  • 10

    Module 10: Ethics and Important Ethical Considerations for Mentors

    • Workbook Activity 10.1

    • Ethics: Part 1

    • How Ethics Can Help You Make Better Decisions | Michael Schur | TED

    • Video Self-Reflection

    • Ethics: Part 2

    • Workbook Review 10.2

    • Module 10 Quiz
  • 11

    Module 11: Training Review and Debrief

    • Training Review and Debrief

    • Workbook Activity 11

    • Scenario Reflection 1

    • Scenario Reflection 2

    • Scenario Reflection 3

    • Youth Mentor Comprehensive Quiz

    • Satisfaction Survey