National PAL Mentoring Program

This solicitation invites eligible applicants to propose the enhancement or expansion of initiatives that will assist in the development and maturity of community programs providing mentoring services to high-risk populations that are underserved due to location, shortage of mentors, special physical or mental challenges of the targeted population, or other analogous situations identified by the community in need of mentoring services. OJJDP's National Mentoring Programs initiative is authorized by the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-117).

The National Association of Police Athletic/Activities Leagues, Inc. (National PAL), local and state PAL Chapters will enhance their ongoing efforts to reach at-risk youth by implementing the National PAL Mentoring Program. PALs have already proven themselves to be a positive force in their communities by building on their capacity to mentor needy kids. Implementation of a well-developed mentoring program will create greater opportunities to provide individual and group mentoring. This initiative focuses on developing relationships of trust and respect among law enforcement and other mentors and youth, particularly those identified as at-risk or underserved. National PAL is a strong and sound organization, dedicated to serving high-risk youth for more than 67 years. This program will partner 100 PALs in communities with Community Disadvantage Indexes greater than six, with a tested national mentoring program. Each PAL will receive training and technical assistance to implement the mentoring program and its tracking system designed to collect data. CA/NCF