CFDA Number: 84.184B
Program Type: Discretionary/Competitive Grants

Assistance is provided to promote mentoring programs for children with the greatest need. Grants are provided to programs that: (1) assist such children in receiving support and guidance from a mentor; (2) improve the academic performance of such children; (3) improve interpersonal relationships between such children and their peers, teachers, other adults, and family members; (4) reduce the dropout rate of such children; and (5) reduce juvenile delinquency and involvement in gangs by such children.

Grant funds must be used to support school-based mentoring programs and activities to serve children with the greatest need in one or more of grades 4 through 8 living in rural areas, high-crime areas, or troubled-home environments, or who attend schools with violence problems.

To promote mentoring programs for children with greatest need by assisting them in receiving support and guidance from a mentor and to improve the academic achievement of those children. ("Children with greatest need" is defined as a child at risk of educational failure, dropping out, or involvement in criminal or delinquent activities, and who lack positive role models. Supported activities will work to improve interpersonal relationships between targeted children and their peers, teachers, other adults, and family members. Additionally, funded programs will work to reduce the dropout rate of at-risk children and to reduce juvenile delinquency and involvement in gangs by such children.