SB2536 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 31338 JDS 58779 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB2536

Introduced 3/7/2023, by Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the First-Time Parent Mentorship Program Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall create a mentorship program for first-time parents. Provides that eligible parents for the mentorship program include any person who has become a parent in the 6 months before making a request to participate in the program. Sets forth provisions concerning required components of the mentorship program. Provides that the Department shall require the individuals providing the mentorship program to conduct a minimum of 10 hours of tutoring and mentoring per parent participating in the program; and individuals providing the mentorship program shall have at least 5 years of experience providing childcare in a daycare or K-12 setting and adult employment and training services. Provides that the Department may enter into an agreement with a nonprofit organization to allow the nonprofit organization to administer the mentorship program; and that a nonprofit organization shall provide the Department with specified information. Provides that the Department may create a First-Time Parent Mentorship Program grant program in order to provide funding to nonprofit organizations that meet specified criteria. Provides that the Department shall adopt rules necessary to implement, administer, and enforce the Act. Defines terms.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning health.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the First-Time Parent Mentorship Program Act.

Section 5. Definitions.

"Department" means the Department of Human Services.

"Secretary" means the Secretary of Human Services.

Section 10. First-time parent mentorship program.

(a) The Department shall create a mentorship program for first-time parents. Eligible parents for the mentorship program include any person who has become a parent in the 6 months before making a request to participate in the program.

(b) The mentorship program shall provide:

(1) a course for the parents to find gainful employment if the parent is not employed;

(2) a list of safety standards published by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission; and

(3) a list of donation centers where parents can find products that meet the safety standards of products published by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.

(c) The Department shall require the individuals providing the mentorship program to conduct a minimum of 10 hours of tutoring and mentoring per parent participating in the program. Individuals providing the mentorship program shall have at least 5 years of experience providing childcare in a daycare or K-12 setting and adult employment and training services.

(d) The Department may enter into an agreement with a nonprofit organization to allow the nonprofit organization to administer the mentorship program created by this Act. A nonprofit organization shall provide the Department with information, including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) identification of its capacity to provide trauma-informed services within the organization;

(2) demonstration of a strong connection with childcare providers and K-12 institutions;

(3) identification of the area that will be served, including a description and demographics of communities that will be served; and

(4) a description of current trends or issues, service gaps, or unmet needs in the community or target population.

(e) The Department may create a First-Time Parent Mentorship Program grant program to provide funding to nonprofit organizations that meet the criteria in subsection (d).

(f) The Department shall adopt rules necessary to implement, administer, and enforce this Act.