Youth Mentorship Through Community Engagement Act 2024

This bill establishes the Thrive Mentorship Program, a District of Columbia initiative designed to provide long-term professional mentoring to youth who have experienced adverse childhood events or are at risk of negative outcomes. Administered by the Department of Human Services, the program will fund nonprofit organizations to employ trained mentors who commit to meeting with their assigned youth for at least three hours per week over a minimum of three years. These mentors are required to undergo rigorous background checks and complete specialized training in trauma-informed care and family engagement, while also involving caregivers in the support process. Additionally, the legislation creates community service leave for eligible government employees to volunteer as tutors or mentors, and mandates annual reporting on student outcomes such as school attendance, grades, and graduation rates.