Foster Youth Mentoring Act of 2023

HR 3443, the Foster Youth Mentoring Act of 2023, creates a federal grant program to fund structured mentoring programs for youth in foster care and those who have aged out of foster care (under age 26). The bill authorizes $50 million annually for grants to eligible organizations (like nonprofits, state agencies, or tribes) to establish or expand mentoring that provides consistent, year-long relationships focused on academic support, emotional development, and transition to adulthood. Key requirements include mandatory mentor training on trauma, cultural competence, and child welfare coordination, along with strict background checks and recruitment strategies to reflect the diversity of youth served. The program directly affects approximately 443,000 youth in foster care (per 2017 data) and aims to improve their educational outcomes, reduce school absences, and build supportive connections through evidence-based mentoring.