Foster Youth Mentoring Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Foster Youth Mentoring Act of 2025, seeks to establish a federal grant program to support mentoring for children and youth with experience in foster care. It authorizes the Secretary to award grants to eligible entities, such as nonprofit organizations, State child welfare agencies, and tribal organizations, to establish or expand mentoring initiatives. The bill defines mentoring as a structured program that matches screened and trained adult or peer volunteers with youth for consistent, long-term relationships, focusing on academic support, social skills, and minimizing risk behaviors. To qualify for a grant, applicants must submit a detailed program design, including targeted outcomes and a demonstrated capacity to serve diverse youth populations. They must also assure robust recruitment strategies for mentors that reflect the youth's identities, and provide intensive, ongoing training covering topics like child development, trauma, and cultural competence. Additionally, programs must implement thorough screening processes, including criminal background checks, and demonstrate active community consultation and coordination with other youth-serving agencies. Grant funds can be utilized for mentor training, recruitment, compensation, and covering mentee participation costs. The bill authorizes appropriations of $50,000,000 for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with annual reporting requirements to Congress on program effectiveness and participant demographics. This initiative aims to leverage positive relationships to improve mental health, reduce substance misuse, and enhance life satisfaction for foster youth.