Foster Youth Mentoring Act

Summary#

This Act would create a grant program to set up or expand mentoring programs for children in foster care and young people who have experienced foster care. The Secretary would award grants to eligible entities such as nonprofit organizations, State child welfare agencies, local school districts, Indian tribes or tribal organizations, and faith-based organizations. "Mentoring" is defined as a structured program that matches screened and trained adult or peer volunteers with mentees for at least one year and can include one-on-one, group, or peer mentoring focused on school, enrichment, reducing risky behaviors, or social skills.

The bill lists application requirements for grant applicants. Applications must describe program design, planned mentee numbers, recruitment strategies, mentor training topics, screening and background check methods, community consultation, coordination with other programs, and plans for records and evaluation. Training topics mentioned include child and teen development, trauma and family dynamics, education rights, transition-to-adulthood supports, cultural competence, youth engagement, reporting abuse, confidentiality, and working with child welfare systems. Screening must include criminal background checks and exclude people with convictions for crimes against children and certain recent convictions.

Grant funds may be used for mentor training and support, mentor recruitment, compensating mentors (including peer mentors), costs for mentee participation, and activities that support child development. Grants are to be scaled for an applicant's budget and capacity. The Secretary must report annually to Congress on programs, mentors, mentee participation, academic outcomes, waiting lists, and other data. The bill authorizes $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 and "such sums as may be necessary" for later years.

What it means for you#

  • Organizations that serve foster youth could apply for grants to start or grow mentoring programs.
  • Mentors would need to pass screening and complete intensive and ongoing training on topics related to foster youth needs.
  • Mentors may include peers with lived foster care experience, and programs can pay or otherwise compensate mentors.
  • Foster youth could gain access to longer-term, structured mentoring focused on education, social skills, and healthy relationships.
  • Tribal and faith-based groups are listed as eligible participants and must be allowed to participate on an equal basis.

Expenses#

  • The bill authorizes $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2027.
  • It also authorizes "such sums as may be necessary" for each succeeding fiscal year.
  • Grant awards are to be scaled to an applicant's annual budget and capacity.
  • No publicly available information on overall estimated costs, budget offsets, or official cost estimates is included in the provided text.

Proponents' View#

  • The bill cites research and findings that mentoring helps young people. It says mentored youth are more likely to enroll in college, less likely to skip school, and more likely to hold leadership roles.
  • The findings state mentoring can improve relationships with adults, reduce disciplinary referrals, support mental health, reduce substance misuse, lower placement changes, and help transition to adulthood.
  • The bill also notes that peer mentors and people with lived foster care experience can be especially effective.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.