KEY PROJECTS Training and Technical Assistance… In addition to a broad portfolio of evaluation studies involving prevention programs, EMT and its non-profit affiliate, the Center for Applied Research Solutions (CARS) have managed technical assistance and training contracts for the past 24 years. During that period, the company has developed over 80 all-day training curriculums and has offered hundreds of workshops to AOD program staff. Currently, EMT is prime contractor for the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools Mentoring Resource Center. The EMT Online University has been established to provide web-based training to the prevention field, and EMT has a contract with NIAAA to develop a comprehensive web-based, self-paced, interactive prevention curriculum to bring accessible and practical training to the field. Through its non-profit affiliate, EMT continues to expand its broad array of technical assistance and training support to prevention programs. Information on the Mentoring Resource Center project appears below. Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools Mentoring Resource Center The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools is currently funding 255 mentoring grants to schools and community based organizations throughout the country. These projects are designed to assist children to improve academic performance and to help them develop skills for improving interpersonal relationships with their peers, teachers, other adults, and family members. To assist these grantees, the Department funded the Mentoring Resource Center operated by EMT and their partner the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory (NWREL). NWREL also operates The National Mentoring Center. Grantees receive a wide range of training opportunities, information and communication via a website and an e-mail discussion group, print publications, a technical assistance call center and on-site assistance. In addition, school-based mentoring resources are available to other agencies through the project website, www.edmentoring.org