[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 299 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 299
To establish a competitive grant program to support the establishment,
expansion, or enhancement of youth mentoring programs for eligible
youth, and to provide for social and emotional learning, employability
skill development, career exploration, work-based learning, and other
youth workforce opportunities.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 29, 2025
Mr. Durbin (for himself, Ms. Duckworth, and Mr. Booker) introduced the
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a competitive grant program to support the establishment,
expansion, or enhancement of youth mentoring programs for eligible
youth, and to provide for social and emotional learning, employability
skill development, career exploration, work-based learning, and other
youth workforce opportunities.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Mentoring to Succeed Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. YOUTH MENTORING PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--Subtitle D of title I of the Workforce Innovation
and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3221 et seq.) is amended--
(1) by redesignating section 172 as section 173; and
(2) by inserting after section 171 the following:
``SEC. 172. YOUTH MENTORING PROGRAMS.
``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to make assistance
available for mentoring programs for eligible youth, in order to--
``(1) establish, expand, or support mentoring programs;
``(2) assist eligible youth enrolled in secondary schools
in developing cognitive and social-emotional skills; and
``(3) prepare eligible youth for success in high school,
postsecondary education, and the workforce.
``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Community-based organization.--The term `community-
based organization' means a youth-serving private nonprofit
organization (which may include a faith-based organization or
may be an affiliate of a national organization) that--
``(A) is representative of a community or a
significant segment of a community;
``(B) has demonstrated expertise and effectiveness
in workforce development; and
``(C) has demonstrated expertise--
``(i) in the planning and delivery of
education, training, and related activities
that are included in a career pathway;
``(ii) in forging coordination and
cooperation between educators and other members
of the community; and
``(iii) in development and implementation
of data systems that measure the progress of
students and outcomes of career pathways.
``(2) Covered institution of higher education.--The term
`covered institution of higher education' means--
``(A) an institution of higher education, as
defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001); or
``(B) a postsecondary vocational institution, as
defined in section 102(c) of such Act (20 U.S.C.
1002(c)).
``(3) Covered partnership.--The term `covered partnership'
means a partnership between--
``(A) a community-based organization; and
``(B)(i) an industry or sector partnership;
``(ii) a local educational agency; or
``(iii) another public entity or private
employer, as appropriate.
``(4) Covered recognized postsecondary credential.--The
term `covered recognized postsecondary credential' means a
recognized postsecondary credential issued by a covered
institution of higher education.
``(5) Disability.--The term `disability' has the meaning
given the term for purposes of section 602(3) of the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C.
1401(3)).
``(6) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a
community-based organization or covered partnership that--
``(A) provides mentoring services; and
``(B) provides youth workforce readiness
programming and career exploration.
``(7) Eligible youth.--The term `eligible youth' means--
``(A) an in-school youth;
``(B) a youth who meets all requirements to be an
in-school youth, except that--
``(i) in lieu of meeting the requirements
of section 129(a)(1)(C)(ii), the youth is in
secondary school; or
``(ii) in lieu of meeting the requirements
of section 129(a)(1)(C)(iv), the youth--
``(I) is failing academically or at
risk of dropping out of school, is
chronically absent, is enrolled in
fewer classes or for fewer credit hours
than a typical full-time student, has
changed schools 3 or more times in the
past 180 days, or has a history of
multiple suspensions; or
``(II)(aa) is a gang member or
resides in a community with high rates
of, and prevalence of risk factors
associated with, violence-related
injuries and deaths, and with other
relevant health and safety risks
(including high rates of poverty,
suicide, or substance use disorder
(including opioid use disorder)) or has
a parent or guardian who is struggling
with substance use disorder;
``(bb) has 1 or both parents
incarcerated; or
``(cc) has experienced 1 or more
adverse childhood experiences,
traumatic events, or toxic stressors,
as assessed through an evidence-based
screening;
``(C) an out-of-school youth; or
``(D) a youth who meets all requirements to be an
out-of-school youth, except that--
``(i) in lieu of meeting the requirements
of section 129(a)(1)(B)(ii), the youth would be
placed in secondary school if the youth were
attending school; or
``(ii) in lieu of meeting the requirements
of section 129(a)(1)(B)(iii), the youth is
described in subparagraph (B)(ii)(II).
``(8) Mentoring.--The term `mentoring' means a structured,
managed activity--
``(A) in which eligible youth are appropriately
matched with screened and trained adult or peer
volunteer mentors for consistent relationships;
``(B) that provides direct one-on-one, group, or
peer mentoring services that focus on--
``(i) providing enrichment;
``(ii) promoting educational or workforce
success;
``(iii) minimizing risk behaviors;
``(iv) promoting social skills and healthy
relationships; or
``(v) any combination of objectives
described in clauses (i) through (iv);
``(C) that involves meetings, events, and
activities on a regular basis, for a period of not less
than 1 year; and
``(D) that is intended to meet, in part, the social
and emotional development needs of an eligible youth,
the need of the eligible youth for involvement with a
caring and supportive adult, and the need of the
eligible youth for positive role models, connections,
and stability.
``(9) High school.--The term `high school' has the meaning
given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
``(10) Youth workforce readiness programming.--The term
`youth workforce readiness programming' means job training, or
a workforce development program providing an employment and
training activity, such as mentoring, an activity to promote
communication and problem-solving skills, career exploration, a
job readiness activity and certification, a summer job, or a
year-round job opportunity or apprenticeship, provided to
eligible youth.
``(c) Program Authorized.--
``(1) In general.--From amounts made available for this
section, the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive
basis, to eligible entities to establish, expand, or support
mentoring programs in accordance with subsection (d).
``(2) Duration.--A grant awarded under this section shall
be for a period not to exceed 3 years.
``(d) Authorized Activities.--
``(1) In general.--An eligible entity receiving a grant
under this section shall use grant funds to establish, expand,
or support not less than 1 mentoring program that--
``(A) is designed to assist eligible youth in
developing cognitive and social-emotional skills to
prepare the eligible youth for success in high school,
postsecondary education, and the workforce by linking
the eligible youth with mentors who--
``(i) have received mentor training,
including training on trauma-informed
practices, youth engagement, cultural
competency, and social-emotional learning; and
``(ii) have been screened using appropriate
reference checks and criminal background
checks, in accordance with the requirements of
subsection (e)(2)(F)(ii);
``(B) serves a population that includes eligible
youth living in or from underserved communities or
communities with employment disparities;
``(C) provides coaching and technical assistance to
mentors participating in the mentoring program;
``(D) seeks to--
``(i) reduce juvenile justice involvement
of eligible youth;
``(ii) foster positive relationships
between eligible youth and their peers, other
adults, and family members;
``(iii) develop the workforce readiness
skills of eligible youth by exploring paths to
employment, including encouraging students with
disabilities to explore transition services;
and
``(iv) increase the participation of
eligible youth in community service activities;
``(E) encourages eligible youth to set goals and
plan for their futures, including making plans and
identifying goals for postsecondary education and
participation in the workforce;
``(F) develops and carries out regular training for
mentors, including training on--
``(i) the impact of adverse childhood
experiences;
``(ii) trauma-informed practices and
interventions;
``(iii) cultural competency;
``(iv) social and emotional learning;
``(v) positive youth development and
engagement practices; and
``(vi) disability inclusion practices to
ensure access and participation by students
with disabilities;
``(G) works in coordination with a private employer
and a local educational agency with not less than 1
high-need school (as defined in section 2211(b) of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 6631(b));
``(H) recruits, screens, matches, trains, and, as
necessary, compensates mentors;
``(I) hires staff, as necessary, to perform or
support the objectives of the program; and
``(J) provides inclusive and accessible youth
engagement activities, such as--
``(i) career awareness activities,
including job site visits, informational
interviews, resume writing, interview
preparation, and networking;
``(ii) academic or postsecondary education
preparation activities, including trade or
vocational school visits, visits to
institutions of higher education, and
assistance in applying to institutions of
higher education;
``(iii) support for the use of career
pathways;
``(iv) paid and unpaid work experiences
that have as a component academic and
occupational education, which may include--
``(I) paid employment
opportunities;
``(II) pre-apprenticeship programs
and apprenticeship programs;
``(III) paid internships;
``(IV) job shadowing; and
``(V) on-the-job training
opportunities;
``(v) work-based learning (as defined in
section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and
Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C.
2302)) that provides opportunities for the
application of employability skills and hands-
on work experiences through partnerships among
eligible entities;
``(vi) occupational skill training, which
shall include priority consideration for
training programs that lead to covered
recognized postsecondary credentials that are
aligned with in-demand industry sectors or
occupations in the local area involved, if the
local board determines that the programs meet
the quality criteria described in section
123(a);
``(vii) activities that help youth prepare
for and transition to postsecondary education
and training; and
``(viii) services to help prepare eligible
youth for the workforce, such as--
``(I) leadership development
opportunities;
``(II) workforce or workforce
readiness opportunities;
``(III) financial literacy
education;
``(IV) entrepreneurial skills
training;
``(V) services that provide labor
market and employment information about
in-demand industry sectors or
occupations available in the local
area;
``(VI) activities to develop
fundamental workforce readiness skills
or to develop employability skills
(such as communication, creativity,
collaboration, and critical thinking)
that support social-emotional
development through every developmental
stage; and
``(VII) career exposure offered by
local industry or sector partnerships
to provide career assessments,
education, and career planning.
``(2) Additional activities.--An eligible entity receiving
a grant under this section may use grant funds to--
``(A) provide professional development (as defined
in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and
Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302)) for
training educators and other providers of educational
services who participate in the mentoring program;
``(B) develop assets and resources that assist an
employer or groups of employers or sectors in working
with eligible youth;
``(C) in the case of an eligible entity that seeks
to implement the program through a partnership with
another eligible entity, establish the partnership; and
``(D) conduct program evaluation, including
acquiring and analyzing the data described in
subsection (g).
``(3) Subgrants.--An eligible entity receiving a grant
under this section may, with the approval of the Secretary, use
grant funds to award subgrants to eligible organizations to
carry out activities described in paragraphs (1) and (2).
``(e) Application.--An eligible entity desiring a grant under this
section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in
such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may
require, including--
``(1) a needs assessment that includes baseline data on the
measures described in subsection (g)(1)(B); and
``(2) a plan to establish, expand, or support a mentoring
program that meets the requirements of subsection (d)(1),
including--
``(A) the targeted outcomes, mentor type, and
meeting frequency for the program;
``(B) a description of and data regarding the
eligible youth who will participate as mentees in the
program, including--
``(i) any age ranges to be served or any
other eligibility criteria; and
``(ii) how the eligible entity will ensure
that the program serves eligible youth living
in or from underserved communities or
communities with employment disparities, in
accordance with subsection (d)(1)(B);
``(C) the number of mentor-mentee matches proposed
to be established and maintained annually under the
program;
``(D) the capacity and expertise of the program to
serve eligible youth in a way that is responsive to
children and youth of color, expectant and parenting
youth, indigenous youth, youth who are lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender, or queer, and youth with
disabilities;
``(E) actions taken to ensure that the design of
the program reflects input from eligible youth;
``(F) an assurance that mentors supported under the
program are appropriately screened and have
demonstrated a willingness to comply with aspects of
the mentoring program, including--
``(i) a written screening plan that
includes all of the policies and procedures
used to screen and select mentors, including
eligibility requirements and preferences for
such applicants;
``(ii) a description of the methods to be
used to conduct criminal background checks on
all prospective mentors and the methods in
place to exclude mentors with convictions
directly related to child safety that occur
during the mentor's participation in the
program or in the 7-year period preceding the
mentor's participation; and
``(iii) a description of the methods to be
used to ensure that the mentors are willing and
able to serve as a mentor on a long-term,
consistent basis as defined in the application;
``(G) a description of--
``(i) the community-based organizations or
the covered partnerships through which the
eligible entity will implement the program; and
``(ii) if a covered partnership will assist
in implementing the program, the collaboration
and coordination that the community-based
organization in the partnership has carried out
or will carry out with other entities in the
partnership, related to that implementation;
``(H) in the case of a program that includes an
opportunity to earn a covered recognized postsecondary
credential, a description of the activities leading to
the covered recognized postsecondary credential; and
``(I) a budget detailing program activities and
administrative costs.
``(f) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the
Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that--
``(1) prior to receiving a grant, serve eligible youth with
the greatest need who reside in--
``(A) a high-poverty community;
``(B) a rural area; or
``(C) a community with high rates of, and
prevalence of risk factors associated with, violence-
related injuries and deaths, and with other relevant
health and safety risks (including high rates of
poverty, suicide, or substance use disorder (including
opioid use disorder));
``(2) provide eligible youth participating in the mentoring
program supported under this section with opportunities for
postsecondary education preparation and career development,
including--
``(A) job training, professional development, work
shadowing, internships, networking, resume writing and
review, interview preparation, transition or vocational
rehabilitation services for students with disabilities,
application assistance and visits to institutions of
higher education, and leadership development through
community service, and relevant program elements
described in section 129(c)(2)); and
``(B) partnerships with the private sector and
local businesses to provide internship and career
exploration activities and resources; and
``(3) consult and engage eligible youth in the development,
design, and implementation of the mentoring program, including
by demonstrating such consultation and engagement in the
application submitted under subsection (e) and agreeing to
continue such consultation after receiving the grant.
``(g) Reporting Requirements.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the end of
each year of the grant period, an eligible entity receiving a
grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary a report
that--
``(A) includes--
``(i) the number of eligible youth and
mentors, and the demographics of eligible youth
and mentors, who participated in the mentoring
program that was supported with grant funds;
``(ii) data on the academic achievement,
dropout rates, truancy, absenteeism, outcomes
of arrests for violent crime, full-time
employment, part-time employment, and
postsecondary education enrollment of eligible
youth participating in the program; and
``(iii) data on social-emotional
development of eligible youth participating in
the program, as assessed with a validated
social-emotional assessment tool;
``(B) may include indicators such as achievement of
career competencies, or successful completion of
internships, apprenticeships, or work-based learning
opportunities, or high school graduation; and
``(C) includes any other information that the
Secretary may require to evaluate the success of the
mentoring program.
``(2) Student privacy.--An eligible entity shall ensure
that the report submitted under paragraph (1) is prepared in a
manner that protects the privacy rights of each eligible youth
in the same manner as is required for students under section
444 of the General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g;
commonly known as the `Family Educational Rights and Privacy
Act of 1974').
``(h) Mentoring Program Resources and Technical Assistance.--The
Secretary shall work with the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile
Justice and Delinquency Prevention and the Secretary of Education to--
``(1) refer eligible entities receiving grants under this
section to the National Mentoring Resource Center to obtain
resources on best practices and research related to mentoring
programs and to request no-cost training and technical
assistance; and
``(2) provide such eligible entities with information
regarding transitional services for eligible youth returning
from correctional facilities and transition services for
students with disabilities.
``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary
for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of
the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act is amended by striking the
item relating to section 172 and inserting the following:
``Sec. 172. Youth mentoring programs.
``Sec. 173. Authorization of appropriations.''.
SEC. 3. STUDY ON MENTORING PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Labor, acting through the Chief
Evaluation Officer of the Department of Labor, shall conduct a study
to--
(1) identify successful mentoring programs and evidence-
based strategies for administering and monitoring such
programs;
(2) evaluate the role of mentors in promoting cognitive
development and social-emotional learning to enhance academic
achievement and to improve workforce readiness; and
(3) evaluate the effectiveness of the grant program under
section 172 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, as
added by section 2, on student academic outcomes and youth
career development.
(b) Timing.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of Labor, acting through the Chief Evaluation
Officer, shall submit the results of the study to the appropriate
congressional committees.
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