The I CAN School® Mentoring Program

Program description

I CAN Imagination Club® and I CAN School® programs are peer mentoring programs aiming to improve the self-esteem and mental wellbeing of autistic/neurodivergent students aged 7–18 years. The mentoring programs consist of group mentoring sessions delivered by 2 I CAN staff (one is autistic/neurodivergent) to students at school (in-person or online). I CAN staff use their lived experiences of being neurodivergent to foster a shared connection with students.

Mentoring sessions cover a range of topics which benefit neurodivergent students including teamwork (3 sessions), positive identity (2 sessions), communication skills (2 sessions) and stress management (one session). The program builds social connections among neurodivergent students and improves their self-confidence and self-acceptance. Added with improvements in optimism, communication and sense of belonging, these outcomes lead to improved mental health and wellbeing.

In secondary schools, I CAN School® programs explicitly discuss positive autistic/neurodivergent identity. In primary schools, I CAN Imagination Club® programs explore autism, ADHD, and dyslexia through the lens of neurodiversity.

The program also aims to build capacity of parents/carers with pre-recorded information sessions and the option to purchase a workshop on practical strategies for parents/carers of students participating in the mentoring program.

Intended outcomes

• Neurodivergent students have an increased sense of optimism, confidence, self-acceptance and belonging.
• Stronger relationships between school staff, autistic/neurodivergent students and their families.
• Autistic/neurodivergent students have increased confidence to attend school.
• Improved engagement and attendance in autistic/neurodivergent students.

Program details

Implementation considerations

• Target population: Autistic and neurodivergent students aged 7–18 and their parents/carers.
• Program adaptability: The program is suitable for neurodivergent students. I CAN Mentors and Program Facilitators can use their lived experiences of Autism to tailor session plans which make their stories relevant to the needs of the school and autistic students. The pace of the sessions can easily be adapted to students with intellectual disabilities. The program can also be adapted for students with Autism that have additional needs.
• Staffing: Backfilling is not necessary but may be required.
• Training requirements: Mentoring involves 8 x one-hour mentoring sessions. Schools need to provide a room for I CAN with a supervising school staff member, and I CAN staff being able to work in the staff room for 45 minutes following session delivery. The room must have chairs and a whiteboard, and audio/video facilities are desirable but not required.
• Delivery options: Face-to-face is available in all department areas except Inner Gippsland, Outer Gippsland and Mallee. The face-to-face program can be adapted online for government schools in all department areas. The minimum number of student participants in a group is 5 students and the maximum is 16 students for face-to-face delivery or 9 students online.
• Factors to consider: Schools participating in the online program delivery option focused on Year 7 transition will be invoiced for 7 online sessions in Term 4 of the same calendar year as the program is delivered and one online session in Term 1 of the following year.
• Australian context: The program has been developed and applied in Australia.

Cost

Minimum cost

$2,000+

Detailed cost

The I CAN School Mentoring Program cost depends on the delivery mode:

• For face-to-face delivery, the program cost is $3,880.00 (GST free). This includes:
  • 8 x one-hour face-to-face mentoring sessions for 5–16 student participants, delivered weekly or fortnightly by 2 facilitators
  • program set up email pack containing confirmation of session dates/times, checklist confirming implementation arrangements, names and linked profiles of I CAN facilitator and mentor, and template communication for parents/carers with a linked program guide
  • one x one-hour online recorded information session for parents/carers.
  • access to a dedicated I CAN Customer Service Manager for the duration of the program who supports the school with program delivery requirements.
• For online delivery, the program cost is $3,120.00 (GST free). This includes:
  • 8 x one-hour face-to-face mentoring sessions for 5–10 student participants, delivered weekly or fortnightly by one facilitator
  • program set up email pack containing confirmation of session dates/times, checklist confirming implementation arrangements, names and linked profiles of I CAN facilitator and mentor, and template communication for parents/carers with a linked program guide
  • one x one-hour online recorded information session for parents/carers
  • access to a dedicated I CAN Customer Service Manager for the duration of the program who supports the school with program delivery requirements.

Travel costs are not included in the program cost, and will be applicable to schools purchasing the face-to-face program if they are located over 30 km from an I CAN regional centre, which are located:

• DE Area Wimmera South West: 169 Koroit St, Warrnambool, Vic 3280
• DE Area Barwon: 60 Moorabool St, Geelong, Vic 3220
• DE Area Goulburn: 280-2 Wyndham St, Shepparton, Vic 3630
• DE Area Loddon Campaspe: 39-41 Williamson St, Bendigo, Vic 3550
• DE Area Central Highlands: 31/10-16 Armstrong St, Ballarat Central, Vic 3550
• Greater Melbourne: 440 Collins St, Melbourne, Vic 3000.

The cost is calculated at $46.20 (incl. GST) for 31–60 km distance, $62.50 (incl. GST) for 61–90 km distance and $90.20 (incl. GST) for 91–120km distance between the school and the closest I CAN regional centre, as listed above.

Schools may also wish to purchase the following optional items:

• additional one x one-hour information session for 5+ parents/carers delivered face-to-face by one x facilitator for $456.50 (incl. GST)
• camera and microphone for online sessions, if the school doesn’t already have equipment with comparable specifications for video conferencing for $444.40 (incl. GST).