NAPD 2021 Women's Virtual Conference

This session will explore how a structured mentorship program can help to build community, enhance support, and improve retention within a public defender office. We will discuss the Kentucky structured mentorship program from its design and modification based on mentor and mentee feedback over several years. We will also explore the training and support needed for mentors, so they can best support mentees. This will include concrete ideas of what content should be made to mentors before becoming a mentor and during their mentorship relationships. A small portion will be dedicated to potential push-back in agencies and how to address those concerns and fears. There will be ample time for questions and discussion, which will include information about modification ideas currently in development in various PD agencies.