H.R.811 - Mentoring to Succeed Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 811, the Mentoring to Succeed Act of 2025, aims to establish a competitive grant program supporting youth mentoring initiatives. These programs will focus on social and emotional learning, employability skills, career exploration, and work-based learning opportunities for eligible youth. The bill amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to incorporate these mentoring programs.
The Act authorizes the Secretary of Labor to award grants to eligible entities, including community-based organizations and covered partnerships, for up to three years. It also mandates a study by the Secretary of Labor to evaluate the effectiveness of these mentoring programs on student academic outcomes and youth career development.
This bill prioritizes serving youth in high-poverty areas, rural communities, and areas with high rates of violence and substance abuse. It also emphasizes partnerships with private sector and local businesses to provide internship and career exploration activities.
Expected Effects
The Mentoring to Succeed Act is likely to increase the availability of structured mentoring programs for at-risk youth. This will be achieved through competitive grants awarded to community organizations and partnerships.
These programs are intended to improve academic achievement, develop social-emotional skills, and enhance workforce readiness among participating youth. The Act's focus on evaluation and reporting aims to ensure program effectiveness and accountability.
Ultimately, the Act could lead to a more skilled workforce, reduced juvenile justice involvement, and improved life outcomes for vulnerable youth populations.
Potential Benefits
- Improved Academic Outcomes: Mentoring programs can provide academic support and guidance, leading to better grades and higher graduation rates.
- Enhanced Employability Skills: The Act emphasizes the development of skills such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork, making youth more competitive in the job market.
- Increased Career Exploration Opportunities: Mentoring can expose youth to various career paths and provide opportunities for internships, job shadowing, and apprenticeships.
- Reduced Juvenile Justice Involvement: By fostering positive relationships and providing support, mentoring programs can help prevent youth from engaging in criminal activity.
- Stronger Social-Emotional Skills: The Act prioritizes the development of social-emotional skills, which are crucial for success in school, work, and life.
Potential Disadvantages
- Funding Limitations: The Act's effectiveness depends on the availability of sufficient funding to support the grant program. Insufficient appropriations could limit the reach and impact of the program.
- Administrative Burden: Eligible entities may face challenges in meeting the application and reporting requirements, potentially discouraging some organizations from participating.
- Program Implementation Challenges: Ensuring the quality and consistency of mentoring programs across different communities and organizations can be difficult.
- Lack of Long-Term Sustainability: The Act only authorizes grants for a period of up to three years, which may not be sufficient to establish sustainable mentoring programs.
- Potential for Ineffective Mentoring: If mentors are not properly screened, trained, and supported, the mentoring relationships may not be beneficial or could even be harmful.
Constitutional Alignment
The Mentoring to Succeed Act aligns with the Constitution's broad mandate to "promote the general Welfare" (Preamble). By investing in youth development and workforce readiness, the Act seeks to improve the lives of American citizens and contribute to a stronger economy. The Act does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
However, the Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people. Education and social programs have traditionally been areas of state and local control. The Act's reliance on federal grants could be seen as an encroachment on state authority, although the voluntary nature of the grant program mitigates this concern.
Furthermore, the Act's inclusion of faith-based organizations as eligible entities raises potential Establishment Clause concerns (Amendment I). However, the Act's emphasis on non-discrimination and the provision of services to all eligible youth, regardless of religious affiliation, helps to address these concerns.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).