Mentoring and Supporting Families Act

Bill Number

H.R. 5383

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-09-16: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Last Updated

2025-09-26T14:54:51Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Mentoring and Supporting Families Act (H.R. 5383) aims to improve workforce training programs for low-income individuals by incorporating peer support, mentoring, and career coaching into demonstration projects funded through the Health Profession Opportunity Grant (HPOG) Program. This program, under Section 2008 of the Social Security Act, helps eligible individuals—such as those receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)—gain skills for jobs in the health care field.

Key Provisions

• Short Title: The bill is titled the "Mentoring and Supporting Families Act."
• Amendments to the Social Security Act:
• Redesignates existing subsections (c) and (d) of Section 2008 as (d) and (e).
• Adds a new subsection (c) on "Use of Peer Support, Peer Mentoring, and Career Coaching":
• Grant Application Preferences: The Secretary of Health and Human Services must prioritize applications that:
• Include mentoring or peer support opportunities, along with career coaching, as part of the case management plan (a structured support system for participants).
• Commit to providing participants with a monthly cash stipend or wage supplement to help cover living expenses during training.
• Required Project Elements: Funded projects must incorporate case management plans featuring:
• Career coaching to guide participants through job training and placement.
• Optional peer support and mentoring to build "soft skills" (like communication and teamwork) and "social capital" (professional networks and relationships).
• These services can be provided ongoing—before, during, and after initial training—as part of a "career pathway model" (a step-by-step plan toward stable employment).
• Effective Date: The changes take effect on October 1, 2025.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This bill modifies the HPOG Program by introducing explicit preferences for grant funding based on the inclusion of peer-based support and financial incentives, which were not previously mandated or prioritized.
• It requires career coaching in case management for all funded projects and allows for flexible, extended delivery of mentoring services, expanding beyond traditional training-focused supports.
• These additions build on the existing framework without altering core eligibility or funding mechanisms for the program.

Potential Impacts

• On Citizens: Low-income individuals, particularly TANF recipients and other underserved groups, may benefit from enhanced emotional and professional support, potentially leading to better job retention, higher earnings, and reduced reliance on public assistance. The cash stipends could address immediate financial barriers to participation.
• On Government Agencies: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which administers the HPOG Program, will need to update grant evaluation processes to incorporate these preferences, possibly increasing administrative workload but improving program effectiveness.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as this is a domestic workforce development initiative focused on U.S. social welfare programs.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Program Participants: Primarily low-income adults seeking health care careers, who gain access to more holistic support services.
• Grant Applicants and Providers: Community organizations, educational institutions, and workforce development agencies applying for or receiving HPOG funds, who must now emphasize peer support and coaching to compete successfully.
• Federal Government: HHS and the Social Security Administration, responsible for implementing and overseeing the amended program.
• Broader Community: Families and local economies in areas with high poverty rates, potentially seeing improved employment outcomes and reduced welfare costs.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The bill aligns with existing authority under the Social Security Act to fund demonstration projects, without creating new entitlements or conflicting with federal spending limits. It promotes voluntary, optional elements (e.g., peer mentoring) to avoid mandating services that could raise compliance issues.
• Constitutional: No apparent challenges; it supports equal access to education and employment opportunities, consistent with the Constitution's general welfare clause, and does not infringe on states' rights as grants remain federally administered with state flexibility.
• Political: This legislation reinforces bipartisan goals of workforce development and poverty reduction by enhancing social support in federal programs, potentially appealing to advocates for family stability and economic mobility without introducing controversial fiscal expansions.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3]

Recent Actions

• 2025-09-16: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
• 2025-09-16: Introduced in House
• 2025-09-16: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Mentoring and Supporting Families Act — issued 2025-09-16 — PDF (3 pages)