US Labor Department provides $5.5 million in grants to mentor young parents

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a total of $5.5 million funding for four grantees under the Young Parents Demonstration Program. The grants are being awarded to community and faith-based organizations in Los Angeles, Calif.; Asheville, N.C.; Birmingham, Ala.; and Worcester, Mass., to provide intensive mentoring services for low-income parents and expectant parents ages 16 24, as a supplement to educational and occupational skills training available through existing workforce development programs.

"We know that the bonds and skills developed through mentoring relationships can make a difference in the education, career development and health and safety of young people. Yet many young parents in low-income communities don't have access to the support that mentors provide," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "These funds will enable grantees currently serving these parents to establish mentoring programs so young people can receive this important extra support."

The grants cover a period of 48 months. Grantees are encouraged to serve young parents who are victims of child abuse, are homeless or have run away from home, are Native American/Indian, are migrants, have incarcerated parents, are involved with or at risk of involvement with court systems, have disabilities, and are in or aging out of foster care. They will participate in rigorous random assignment impact evaluations to assess the effectiveness of mentoring services based on numerous outcomes, including whether the individuals served are able to achieve employment.

This round of grants is the third under the program. Previous grants awarded in 2008 and 2009 totaled nearly $15 million, with grantees providing either mentoring or training services to young parents.

For more information on Department of Labor training programs, visit http://www.doleta.gov.

Editor's Note: A chart listing the grantees, their locations and award amounts follows this news release.

Young Parents Demonstration Program Grants