CA AB921

Department of Health Care Access and Information shall establish a mentorship program connecting eligible students in behavioral health programs with community-based organizations to convert education into sustained employment

Department shall coordinate cost-of-living stipends for student mentees covering education, housing, and living expenses, with increased stipends available for bilingual students

Eligible students must enter agreements with community-based organizations to complete mentorship concurrent with education and work for the organization for two years or 4,000 hours after graduation, whichever is greater

Community-based organizations participating in the program must formally mentor students, provide temporary and permanent employment, offer emotional and practical support, and distribute any received stipend funds directly to student mentees separate from wages

Department shall establish minimum standards for participating organizations, create a process to inform students and organizations of mentor needs, and compensate organizations through grants based on costs and number of students mentored