This bill establishes a three-year pilot program for school-based mentoring in public schools located within 1,000 feet of gunfire, defined as a "crisis zone." The program aims to enhance the social-emotional and behavioral skills of young children in grades kindergarten through three who are at risk for mental health disorders and substance abuse. The Commissioner of Education will select the Jersey City School District and six additional districts from different regions of the state to participate. A specific curriculum will be adopted, focusing on emotional monitoring, resilience building, and coping skills, delivered through weekly one-on-one sessions.

Participating schools are required to designate and train three to five mentors, identify at-risk students, implement the approved curriculum, and evaluate students' progress at various stages. The bill also authorizes the commissioner to provide grants to assist in the program's implementation. Upon completion of the pilot, the commissioner will report on the program's feasibility for statewide implementation. This initiative is inspired by the Rochester Resilience Project, which has demonstrated success in improving emotional regulation among at-risk children through targeted mentoring.