ICYMI: During National Foster Care Month, Mullin Introduces Legislation to Connect Foster Youth with Mentors

Press Release

Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, introduced a bipartisan resolution earlier this month to recognize May as National Foster Care Month. He also introduced bipartisan legislation to connect young people in foster care with mentors.

"As an adoptive parent of three, I am committed to ensuring every child has a safe, supportive, and forever family," Mullin said. "There are more than 400,000 young people in the foster care system across the country and we must make sure the system in place is effective and functions properly. During National Foster Youth Month, we recognize the challenges these youth face and the importance of doing everything we can to set them up for success in the future."

"We must make sure foster youth have the resources they need to successfully transition into adulthood," Mullin continued. "Mentors provide advice and support and often are the only person foster youth feel they can turn to in times of need. I'm proud to join my colleagues on the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth to introduce the Foster Youth Mentoring Act that would expand mentoring programs for foster youth and improve outcomes once they leave the system."

H.R. 3083, the Foster Youth Mentoring Act of 2021 would:

Authorize funding to provide support to mentoring programs that serve foster youth. Programs would be eligible to receive funds to expand services to more youth in foster care and to improve services for current foster youth in their programs.

Ensure that mentoring programs participating in the grant program are currently engaged or developing quality mentoring standards and best practices in screening volunteers, matching mentors, and successful mentoring relationships.

Provide intensive training to adult volunteers who serve as mentors to foster youth to assure their competence in child development, family dynamics, the child welfare system, and other relevant systems that affect foster youth.

Increase coordination between mentoring programs and statewide child welfare systems.

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