Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the National Parent and Youth Helpline Act.
Section 2. Findings
Congress finds as follows:
(1) There are approximately 174,000,000 parents, caregivers, and youth in the United States.
(2) Many parents, caregivers, and youth often do not have immediate access to a caring and supportive person to help them address various personal challenges.
(3) Parents, caregivers, and youth could benefit from an effective helpline that fosters the strengths parents have, which would improve family and peer relationships, as well as community life and society overall.
(4) Congress recognizes that helpline prevention services will empower parents and caregivers to positively address child development issues and help address child maltreatment, drug and alcohol problems, mental health, and personal growth and development.
(5) Congress recognizes that helpline prevention services are trauma-informed by reducing risk factors and increasing protective factors with weekly, evidence-based mutual support groups.
Section 3. Grant to establish a national parent and youth helpline
Title I of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (42 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 103 the following:
(a) In general
The Secretary may award a grant to one nonprofit entity to—
(1) provide for the establishment and ongoing operation of a national, toll-free telephone parent and youth helpline, as described in subsection (d), to provide emotional support and assistance to parents, caregivers, and youth to prevent child abuse and strengthen families through calls, texts, and live chats;
(2) create and maintain a website with vital information and resources for parents, caregivers, and youth to address a broad spectrum of family issues related to emotional, social, behavioral, and educational well-being; and
(3) develop and implement comprehensive outreach strategies to reach diverse parents, caregivers, and youth nationwide.
(b) Priority
In awarding the grant under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to an entity—
(1) with experience in operating a national parent and youth helpline that provides emotional support to parents, caregivers, and youth; and
(2) that operates weekly, evidence-based mutual support groups.
(c) Duration
The grant under this section may be awarded for a period of not more than 5 years.
(d) Helpline activities
The entity that receives the grant under this section shall use the grant to establish and operate a 24-hour, national, toll-free telephone helpline to provide (through calls, texts, and live chats)—
(1) emotional support and assistance to diverse parents, caregivers, and youth (including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) parents, caregivers, and youth) who are facing personal challenges, including emotional distress, substance abuse, peer relationships, and educational concerns related to their well-being;
(2) weekly, evidence-based mutual support groups nationwide to build protective factors and strengthen families; and
(3) comprehensive outreach strategies to reach diverse parents, caregivers, and youth nationwide, distribute information and resources, and maintain a website.
(e) Performance reports
The entity that receives the grant under this section shall submit a performance report to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require. Such performance report shall include—
(1) a description of the activities carried out with the grant;
(2) an evaluation of the effectiveness of such activities; and
(3) such additional information as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(f) Report to Congress
Not later than three years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report addressing the implementation and effectiveness of the national parent and youth helpline funded with the grant under this section.