I
103D CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4186
To provide demonstration grants to local governmental agencies and
community-based organizations for mentor programs.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
APRIL 13, 1994
Miss COLLINS of Michigan introduced the following bill; which was referred
to the Committee on Education and Labor
A BILL
To provide demonstration grants to local governmental agen-
cies and community-based organizations for mentor
programs.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. PURPOSES.
The purpose of this Act is to award demonstration
grants—
(1) to provide role models for encouraging at-
risk youth to become responsible citizens;
(2) to build a sense of community in distressed
urban areas;
(3) to improve academic and social performance
of at-risk youth and encourage educational achieve-
ment;
(4) to improve individual self-concept and
multicultural knowledge of history in an effort to in-
still a positive self-image;
(5) to strengthen family relationships; and
(6) to encourage at-risk youth to resolve con-
flicts without violence.
SEC. 2. PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, after consultation
with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, is au-
thorized to award grants to eligible entities that serve at-
risk students with not less than half of such grants award-
ed to such entities that serve primarily minority youth.
(b) AWARD
BASIS.—The Secretary shall award
grants under this Act on a competitive basis.
(c) DISTRIBUTION OF GRANT.—A grant made under
this section shall be distributed to a grantee in 1 or more
annual installments during a period not to exceed 3 years.
(d) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants under this Act,
the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that
have developed broad-based community support.
SEC. 3. APPLICATION.
(a) IN GENERAL.—To request a grant under this
Act, a designated representative of an eligible entity shall
submit an application to the Secretary in such form and
containing such information as the Secretary may reason-
ably require.
(b) PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.—Each application
submitted under subsection (a) shall include assurances
that the eligible entity shall—
(1) establish a mentorship program that in-
cludes—
(A) participation from adult role models
who have made a commitment to serve as a
mentor during and after school, including the
period between school years; and
(B) programs conducted by mentors re-
garding such topics as culture, values, conflict
resolution, and the importance of family, edu-
cation, and community;
(2) provide tutors to work with students and
mentors;
(3) describe how activities will take place in the
community and community members will be in-
volved;
(4) describe activities that develop family rela-
tionship skills;
(5) require that students who participate in a
mentor program establish written goals, including
educational and behavioral goals; and
(6) require parental consent for children to par-
ticipate in mentoring programs.
SEC. 4. EVALUATION.
The Secretary shall evaluate the demonstration pro-
gram assisted under this Act and shall report annually to
the Congress regarding the overall effectiveness of such
program, including recommendations for improving the
program.
SEC. 5. DEFINITIONS.
For the purposes of this Act—
(1) the term ‘‘eligible entity’’ means a local gov-
ernmental agency, a nonprofit community-based or-
ganization, or a consortia of such nonprofit agencies
and organizations in communities in which—
(A) a high percentage of residents are
members of low-income families with children;
and
(B) there is unemployment, pervasive pov-
erty, and general economic distress;
(2) the term ‘‘at-risk youth’’ means a youth at
risk of educational failure, including failure to com-
plete graduation requirements or involvement in de-
linquent activities;
(3) the term ‘‘mentor’’ means an individual who
works with an at-risk youth on a one-to-one basis,
establishing a supportive relationship with the youth
and providing the youth with academic assistance
and exposure to new experiences that enhance the
youth’s ability to become a responsible citizen; and
(4) the term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary
of Education.
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated $2,000,000
for fiscal year 1994 and $3,000,000 for each of the fiscal
years 1995 and 1996 to carry out this Act.
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