US
Us Congress Senate Bill SB299

Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB299

Introduced
1/29/25  

Caption

Mentoring to Succeed Act of 2025

Impact

The bill will directly modify the existing framework under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act by adding provisions for youth mentoring programs. By expanding the scope of workforce readiness initiatives, it aims to lower barriers for at-risk youth and prepare them for high school completion, higher education, and career success. The bill underscores the need for youth to acquire cognitive and social-emotional skills necessary for thriving in future environments, potentially influencing state-imposed educational standards and community resource allocations.

Summary

SB299, known as the 'Mentoring to Succeed Act of 2025', aims to establish a competitive grant program to support and enhance youth mentoring programs. This legislation seeks to provide eligible youth with critical social and emotional learning tools, employability skill development, and career exploration opportunities. The program focuses on connecting mentors with youth, particularly those in underserved or disadvantaged communities, and emphasizes the importance of mentorship in improving academic achievement and workforce readiness.

Contention

While the bill enjoys support among legislators who believe in the necessity of mentoring for youth development, contention may arise around funding allocations and the operationalization of grant distributions. Critics might express concerns over the effectiveness of government-managed programs, the scaling of mentoring initiatives, and the potential for unequal access to resources based on geographic or socioeconomic status. Additionally, the effectiveness of mentorship as a standalone solution in addressing complex socio-economic issues will likely be a point of debate.

Congress_id

119-S-299

Policy_area

Education

Introduced_date

2025-01-29

Latest SB299 Activity

Companion Bills

US HB811

Same As Mentoring to Succeed Act of 2025This bill establishes grants to support mentoring programs for eligible youth (e.g., in-school youth, out-of-school youth, or youth who are failing academically or who meet specified criteria). Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Labor to award competitive grants for certain community-based organizations or partnerships involving community-based organizations 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.Additionally, Labor must work with the Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and the Department of Education to (1) refer grant recipients to the National Mentoring Resource Center to obtain mentoring resources, and (2) provide grant recipients with information regarding transitional services for eligible youth returning from correctional facilities and transition services for students with disabilities.The bill also requires Labor's Chief Evaluation Office to study and report on mentoring programs.

Similar Bills

US HB811

Mentoring to Succeed Act of 2025This bill establishes grants to support mentoring programs for eligible youth (e.g., in-school youth, out-of-school youth, or youth who are failing academically or who meet specified criteria). Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Labor to award competitive grants for certain community-based organizations or partnerships involving community-based organizations 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.Additionally, Labor must work with the Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and the Department of Education to (1) refer grant recipients to the National Mentoring Resource Center to obtain mentoring resources, and (2) provide grant recipients with information regarding transitional services for eligible youth returning from correctional facilities and transition services for students with disabilities.The bill also requires Labor's Chief Evaluation Office to study and report on mentoring programs.

US SB4580

Pathways to Prosperity Act

US HB1132

To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to direct the Secretary of Labor to award grants to community colleges for high-quality workforce development programs.

US HB8947

To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to direct the Secretary of Labor to award grants to community colleges for high-quality workforce development programs.

US HB6124

Cybersecurity Skills Integration Act

US HB9621

21st Century Workforce Partnerships Act

US SB2256

Federal Cybersecurity Workforce Expansion Act

US SB4205

BUILDS Act Building U.S. Infrastructure by Leveraging Demands for Skills