# Plain Language Summary: Mentoring and Supporting Families Act

This bill modifies an existing federal program that helps low-income people train for jobs in healthcare fields. Right now, the program provides training and support to help people get into careers like nursing, medical assistance, and other health professions. The bill adds new requirements and incentives to make these training programs better by including mentoring, peer support, and financial help.

Specifically, the bill encourages programs to include three key components: peer mentoring (where people who've successfully completed the program help guide newcomers), peer support groups (where participants can share experiences and build connections), and career coaching (professional guidance on job skills and career planning). These supports can happen before training starts, during the training, and even after people finish to help them succeed in their new jobs. The bill also encourages programs to give participants a monthly cash stipend—a small monthly payment equal to half of the federal poverty level (roughly $500 per month for an individual in 2021)—to help cover living expenses while they're training.

The federal government will prioritize funding for programs that include these mentoring and support services when deciding which applications to approve. This means programs that want federal money will have a better chance of getting it if they offer these services and provide the monthly cash assistance. The changes take effect on October 1, 2021, so programs can start incorporating these elements into their training and support plans. Essentially, the bill aims to help low-income people not just learn job skills, but also build confidence, professional networks, and financial stability as they transition into healthcare careers.

Mentoring and Supporting Families Act

Evans, Dwight

Mentoring and Supporting Families Act This bill establishes demonstration projects for peer support, mentoring, and career coaching under the Health Profession Opportunity Grants program, which supports organizations that provide low-income individuals with education and training for health care occupations. Specifically, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) must award grants to organizations that provide case management plans to help participants develop workforce skills on an ongoing basis. The ACF must give preference to project applications that provide participants with a cash stipend.