A consistent relationship with a caring adult can make all the difference in a young person's life. Successful mentoring relationships have been shown to increase self-esteem, improve academic achievement, and decrease the likelihood of substance abuse and delinquent acts by youth. To help ensure positive outcomes for youth, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) funds effective mentoring programs and practices. OJJDP's mentoring grants also fund research, evaluation, and training and technical assistance.