S 379 ISCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To support the establishment or expansion and operation of programs using a network of public and private community entities to provide mentoring for children in foster care.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

January 24, 2007

Ms. LANDRIEU introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To support the establishment or expansion and operation of programs using a network of public and private community entities to provide mentoring for children in foster care.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Foster Care Mentoring Act of 2007'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress makes the following findings:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) Research shows that caring adults can make a difference in children's lives. Forty-five percent of mentored teens are less likely to use drugs. Fifty-nine percent of mentored teens have better academic performance. Seventy-three percent of mentored teens achieve higher goals generally.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Children that have mentors have better relationships with adults, fewer disciplinary referrals, and more confidence to achieve their goals.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) In 2001, over 163,000 children in the foster care system were under the age of 5 years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) In 2001, over 124,000 children were under the age of 10 when they were removed from their parents or caretakers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) The International Day of the Child, sponsored by Children United Nations, has served as a great tool to recruit mentors and partner them with needy foster care children.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) On November 10, 2002, as many as 3,000 children will be matched with mentors as a result of the International Day of the Child.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) States should be encouraged to incorporate mentor programs into the delivery of their foster care services. The State of California serves as a great example, matching close to half a million mentors with needy children.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) Mentor programs that serve foster children are unique and require additional considerations including specialized training and support necessary to provide for consistent, long term relationships for children in care.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) Mentor programs are cost-effective approaches to decreasing the occurrence of so many social ills such as teen pregnancy, substance abuse, incarceration and violence.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. PROGRAMS FOR MENTORING CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE.

Subpart 2 of part B of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 629 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

`SEC. 440. PROGRAMS FOR MENTORING CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE.

`(a) Purpose- It is the purpose of this section to authorize the Secretary to make grants to eligible applicants to support the establishment or expansion and operation of programs using a network of public and private community entities to provide mentoring for children in foster care.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b) Definitions- In this section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE- The term `children in foster care' means children who have been removed from the custody of their biological or adoptive parents by a State child welfare agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) MENTORING- The term `mentoring' means a structured, managed program in which children are appropriately matched with screened and trained adult volunteers for one-on-one relationships, that involves meetings and activities on a regular basis, and that is intended to meet, in part, the child's need for involvement with a caring and supportive adult who provides a positive role model.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) POLITICAL SUBDIVISION- The term `political subdivision' means a local jurisdiction below the level of the State government, including a county, parish, borough, or city.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(c) Grant Program-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall carry out a program to award grants to States to support the establishment or expansion and operation of programs using networks of public and private community entities to provide mentoring for children in foster care.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) GRANTS TO POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS- The Secretary may award a grant under this subsection directly to a political subdivision if the subdivision serves a substantial number of foster care youth (as determined by the Secretary).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS- To be eligible for a grant under paragraph (1), the chief executive officer of the State or political subdivision shall submit to the Secretary an application containing the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) PROGRAM DESIGN- A description of the proposed program to be carried out using amounts provided under this grant, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) a list of local public and private organizations and entities that will participate in the mentoring network;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) the name, description, and qualifications of the entity that will coordinate and oversee the activities of the mentoring network;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) the number of mentor-child matches proposed to be established and maintained annually under the program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iv) such information as the Secretary may require concerning the methods to be used to recruit, screen support, and oversee individuals participating as mentors, (which methods shall include criminal background checks on the individuals), and to evaluate outcomes for participating children, including information necessary to demonstrate compliance with requirements established by the Secretary for the program; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(v) such other information as the Secretary may require.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) TRAINING- An assurance that all mentors covered under the program will receive intensive and ongoing training in the following areas:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) Child Development, including the importance of bonding.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) Family dynamics, including the effects of domestic violence.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) Foster care system, principles, and practices.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iv) Recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(v) Confidentiality requirements for working with children in care.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(vi) Working in coordination with the public school system.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(vii) Other matters related to working with children in care.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) SCREENING- An assurance that all mentors covered under the program are appropriately screened and have demonstrated a willingness to comply with all aspects of the mentor program, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) a description of the methods to be used to conduct criminal background checks on all prospective mentors; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) 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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS- An assurance that all mentors recruited to serve as academic mentors will--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) have a high school diploma or its equivalent; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) have completed at least 1 year of study in a program leading to a graduate or post graduate degree.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E) COMMUNITY CONSULTATION; COORDINATION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS- A demonstration that, in developing and implementing the program, the State or political subdivision will, to the extent feasible and appropriate--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) consult with public and private community entities, including religious organizations, and including, as appropriate, Indian tribal organizations and urban Indian organizations, and with family members of potential clients;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) coordinate the programs and activities under the program with other Federal, State, and local programs serving children and youth; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) consult and coordinate with appropriate Federal, State, and local corrections, workforce development, and substance abuse and mental health agencies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(F) EQUAL ACCESS FOR LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS- An assurance that public and private entities and community organizations, including religious organizations and Indian organizations, will be eligible to participate on an equal basis.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(G) RECORDS, REPORTS, AND AUDITS- An agreement that the State or political subdivision will maintain such records, make such reports, and cooperate with such reviews or audits as the Secretary may find necessary for purposes of oversight of project activities and expenditures.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(H) EVALUATION- An agreement that the State or political subdivision will cooperate fully with the Secretary's ongoing and final evaluation of the program under the plan, by means including providing the Secretary access to the program and program-related records and documents, staff, and grantees receiving funding under the plan.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) FEDERAL SHARE-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) IN GENERAL- A grant for a program under this subsection shall be available to pay a percentage share of the costs of the program up to 75 percent for each year for which the grant is awarded.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) NON-FEDERAL SHARE- The non-Federal share of the cost of projects under this subsection may be in cash or in kind. In determining the amount of the non-Federal share, the Secretary may attribute fair market value to goods, services, and facilities contributed from non-Federal sources.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(5) CONSIDERATIONS IN AWARDING GRANTS- In awarding grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall take into consideration--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) the overall qualifications and capacity of the State or political subdivision program and its partners to effectively carry out a mentoring program under this subsection;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) the level and quality of training provided to mentors under the program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) evidence of coordination of the program with the State's or political subdivision's social services and education programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) the ability of the State or political subdivision to provide supervision and support for mentors under the program and the youth served by such mentors;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E) evidence of consultation with institutes of higher learning;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(F) the number of children in care served by the State or political subdivision; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(G) any other factors that the Secretary determines to be significant with respect to the need for or the potential success of carrying out a mentoring program under this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(6) USE OF FUNDS- Of the amount awarded to a State or political subdivision under a grant under this subsection the State or subdivision shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) use not less than 50 percent of the total grant amount for the training and ongoing educational support of mentors; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) use not more than 10 percent of the total grant amount for administrative purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(7) MAXIMUM GRANT AMOUNT-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) IN GENERAL- In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall consider the number of children served by the jurisdiction and the grant amount relative to the need for services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) LIMIT- The amount of a grant awarded to a State or political subdivision under this subsection shall not exceed $600,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(8) ANNUAL REPORT- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to Congress a report that includes the following with respect to the year involved:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) A description of the number of programs receiving grant awards under this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) A description of the number of mentors who serve in the programs described in subparagraph (A).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) A description of the number of mentored foster children--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) who graduate from high school;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) who enroll in college; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) who are adopted by their mentors.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) Any other information that the Secretary determines to be relevant to the evaluation of the program under this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(9) EVALUATION- Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of the effectiveness of programs funded under this section, including a comparison between the rate of drug and alcohol abuse, teenage pregnancy, delinquency, homelessness, and other outcome measures for mentored foster care youth and non-mentored foster care youth.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(10) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection, $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009, and such sums as may be necessary for each succeeding fiscal year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(d) National Coordination of Statewide Mentoring Partnerships-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may award a competitive grant to an eligible entity to establish a National Hotline Service or Website to provide information to individuals who are interested in becoming mentors to youth in foster care.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection, $4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009, and such sums as may be necessary for each succeeding fiscal year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(e) Loan Forgiveness-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) DEFINITIONS- In this subsection:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) ELIGIBLE MENTOR- The term `eligible mentor' means an individual who has served as a mentor in a statewide mentor program established under subsection (c) for at least 200 hours in a single calendar year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN- The term `Federal student loan' means any loan made, insured, or guaranteed under part B, D, or E of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) RELIEF FROM INDEBTEDNESS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall carry out a program to provide for the discharge or cancellation of the Federal student loan indebtedness of an eligible mentor.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) METHOD OF DISCHARGE OR CANCELLATION- A loan that will be discharged or canceled under the program under subparagraph (A) shall be discharged or canceled as provided for using the method under section 437(a), 455(a)(1), or 464(c)(1)(F) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as applicable.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) AMOUNT OF RELIEF- The amount of relief to be provided with respect to a loan under this subsection shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) be equal to $2,000 for each 200 hours of service of an eligible mentor; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) not exceed a total of $20,000 for an eligible individual.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) FACILITATION OF CLAIMS- The Secretary shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) establish procedures for the filing of applications for the discharge or cancellation of loans under this subsection by regulations that shall be prescribed and published within 90 days after the date of enactment of this section and without regard to the requirements of section 553 of title 5, United States Code; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) take such actions as may be necessary to publicize the availability of the program established under this subsection for eligible mentors.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) FUNDING- Amounts available for the purposes of making payments to lenders in accordance with section 437(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 for the discharge of indebtedness of deceased or disabled individuals shall be available for making payments to lenders of loans to eligible mentors as provided for in this subsection.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink