NC H568

Establishes the Youth Mentoring Grant Program within the Department of Health and Human Services to provide grants to nonprofit organizations offering mentoring services to youth in high-risk situations.

Creates the Youth Mentoring Services Council to administer the program, consisting of representatives from DHHS, Department of Public Instruction, local schools, a licensed teacher, a parent, Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice, and a registered nonprofit that trains mentoring organizations.

Requires eligible applicants to demonstrate ability to recruit mentors committed to one year of service at two to three hours per week, conduct background checks, provide training and support, match mentors with youth, assess outcomes, and offer life skills workshops and community service opportunities.

Appropriates $1,500,000 in nonrecurring funds annually for fiscal years 2021-2023 to award grants, with priority given to services addressing COVID-19 pandemic recovery; grant recipients must match every $5 in grant funds with $1 in non-grant funds.

Requires grant recipients to report on fund usage to the Council, which must submit annual reports to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services detailing grants awarded, youth served, and program outcomes; becomes effective July 1, 2021.