Foster Youth Mentoring Act of 2025

This bill would create a federal grant program to help local groups start or grow mentoring programs for children in foster care and young people up to age 26 who have ever been in foster care. Programs would use networks of public and private community partners to support long‑term, stable mentor relationships. The bill is based on research showing that mentoring can boost school success, mental health, and leadership, and lower justice‑system involvement for youth.

To get a grant, programs must recruit mentors who reflect the youth they serve; provide strong, ongoing training on child development, trauma, school rights, safety, confidentiality, and the transition to adulthood; and screen mentors with background checks and clear safety rules. They must also involve foster youth and families in program design, and coordinate with schools, child welfare, workforce, corrections, and mental health agencies. Community nonprofits, including religious and tribal organizations, can participate on an equal basis. Grant funds can pay for training and support, mentor recruitment, mentor stipends (including peer mentors), and costs that help youth take part in activities. The federal government will scale grant sizes to each group’s capacity, require records and evaluations, and publish an annual report one year after enactment and every year after that. The bill authorizes $50 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027, and then “such sums as necessary” in later years .

Key points

• Who is affected: Children in foster care and people under 26 with foster care experience; community groups and nonprofits (including religious and tribal groups) that run mentoring programs .
• What changes: New federal grants for mentoring; required mentor training and screening; youth and family voice in program design; coordination with local services; allowed uses include mentor support, peer mentors, and youth participation costs; yearly federal reporting .
• When: Funding is authorized for FY 2026 and 2027, with continuing funds as needed; the first federal report is due one year after enactment.