Uncle Sam's allowances for youth: using federal funds to support the NRPA National Youth Congress Program.Good youth-services programs in parks and recreation agencies are crucial to the vision of the National Recreation and Park Association. NRPA NRPA National Recreation and Park Association NRPA Natural Resources Protective Association (Staten Island, NY) NRPA Niagara Regional Police Association (Canada) NRPA National Rifle and Pistol Association approaches the issue from two interconnected angles--programs and policy. In terms of programs, NRPA assists park and recreation-agencies in connecting the youth they serve with opportunities for educational advancement, community service, job training, leadership and activities that will help them develop confidence and self-awareness. As for policy, NRPA's goals are to increase fiscal investment in and access to resources that assist park and recreation agencies to develop these youth services. Programs and policy meet in NRPA's National Youth Congress Program, a workforce development initiative designed to empower youth and provide them with meaningful opportunities to help their communities and themselves. A main goal of the program is to recruit and prepare young people for careers in the park, conservation and recreation field. The program has three phases: the town hall forum, action councils and internships. First, a park and recreation agency provides the setting and leadership for at least one town hall forum to take place. At these forums, youths express their ideas and opinions about how park and recreation services in their community could better meet their needs. The park and recreation agency then uses the feedback provided by youth to develop action councils. The councils allow youths the opportunity for continual input into the development of park and recreation services. In addition, the agency trains youths serving in the action council in ways to be effective community leaders, and provides them with opportunities to lead community service projects. In the third phase of the program, the agency provides these youth leaders with internships at the park and recreation agency. Supervised internships give youths a chance to explore the park and recreation field and gain real-world job experience. For many youths today, these opportunities--to serve as leaders in their communities and to gain employable skills--can help them to avoid poverty, delinquency delinquency Criminal behaviour carried out by a juvenile. Young males make up the bulk of the delinquent population (about 80% in the U.S.) in all countries in which the behaviour is reported. , substance abuse, pregnancy and acts of violence. The following guide to federal youth grant programs is intended to assist park and recreation agencies in gathering the resources necessary to carry out the NRPA National Youth Congress Program. See "Resources For the Future" on p. 55 for information on how to apply to these grant programs. Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention In October 2002, the Department of Justice authorization of appropriations included the Consequences for Juvenile Offenders Act of 2002 and the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 is a United States federal law providing funds to states that follow a series of guidelines regarding the rights of juvenile offenders. The purpose of the legislation is to reduce labeling, as advocated by labeling theory. of 2002, both of which authorize To empower another with the legal right to perform an action. The Constitution authorizes Congress to regulate interstate commerce. authorize v. to officially empower someone to act. (See: authority) grant programs for park and recreation agencies. The Consequences for Juvenile Offenders Act of 2002 authorizes the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant program. Prior to this authorization, the program was appropriated approximately $250 million each year since 1998, but it was used primarily for developing incarceration Confinement in a jail or prison; imprisonment. Police officers and other law enforcement officers are authorized by federal, state, and local lawmakers to arrest and confine persons suspected of crimes. The judicial system is authorized to confine persons convicted of crimes. facilities and juvenile courts juvenile court Special court handling problems of delinquent, neglected, or abused children. Two types of cases are processed by a juvenile court: civil matters, often concerning care of an abandoned or impoverished child, and criminal matters, arising from antisocial . In the new law, the grants can also be used for developing, implementing and administering graduated sanctions Sanctions is the plural of sanction. Depending on context, a sanction can be either a punishment or a permission. The word is a contronym. Sanctions involving countries: The Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Program can be used to support the action councils of NRPA's National Youth Congress Plan. Juvenile offenders can be included in action councils with the support of local law enforcement agencies A law enforcement agency (LEA) is a term used to describe any agency which enforces the law. This may be a local or state police, federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). . They can then connect to appropriate opportunities for community service, an important facet facet /fac·et/ (fas´it) a small plane surface on a hard body, as on a bone. fac·et n. 1. A small smooth area on a bone or other firm structure. 2. of their community reintegration reintegration /re·in·te·gra·tion/ (-in-te-gra´shun) 1. biological integration after a state of disruption. 2. restoration of harmonious mental function after disintegration of the personality in mental illness. . Engaging juvenile offenders in this way helps them from committing more crimes and provides them with opportunities to be recognized for positive contributions to the community. The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 2002 reauthorizes the Title V incentive grants for local delinquency prevention programs. Title V has been operating since 1994, when it was first appropriated $13 million. Since then, the annual appropriation has grown to $95 million, but continues to include earmarks, or funds set aside for specific programs, which diminish the real amount available to states for the program. Title V grants support implementing collaborative and community-based delinquency prevention plans. Grants are designed to provide communities with the resources needed to identify and respond to root causes of local delinquency problems, as well as address those aspects of children's lives critical in the onset of delinquent behavior through comprehensive and collaborative prevention planning. States award grants to units of local government for up to three years. Each grant recipient must have a three-year plan The Three-Year Plan of Reconstructing the Economy (Polish: Trzyletni Plan Odbudowy Gospodarki) was a centralized plan created by the Polish communist government to rebuild Poland after the devastation of the Second World War. that designates a prevention policy board, includes coordination of services and describes local strategies and resources, among other requirements. Title V grants could support any phase of NRPA's National Youth Congress Program, because they can be used for leadership and youth-development activities as well as assistance in developing job training skills. The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 2002 also authorizes a new grant program, the Juvenile Delinquency juvenile delinquency, legal term for behavior of children and adolescents that in adults would be judged criminal under law. In the United States, definitions and age limits of juveniles vary, the maximum age being set at 14 years in some states and as high as 21 Prevention Block Grant Program. The program authorizes the administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (or OJJDP) is an office of the United States Department of Justice and a component of the Office of Justice Programs. to make grants to states, which then provide sub-grants to governmental agencies and nonprofit A corporation or an association that conducts business for the benefit of the general public without shareholders and without a profit motive. Nonprofits are also called not-for-profit corporations. Nonprofit corporations are created according to state law. agencies. Local units of government may apply jointly for this program with at least two private nonprofit agencies that have experience in working with youth. The grant period is for two years. The Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Block Grant program could also support all three phases of NRPA's National Youth Congress Program. Eligible activities include: * Developing locally coordinated policies and comprehensive programs among recreation, education, juvenile justice and social service agencies. * After-school programs that target at-risk youth. * Other activities that are likely to prevent juvenile delinquency. Department of Education The education legislation that will likely have the largest impact on park and recreation agencies serving youth is the No Child Left Behind Act The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-110), commonly known as NCLB (IPA: /ˈnɪkəlbiː/), is a United States federal law that was passed in the House of Representatives on May 23, 2001 2001. This law amended the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program. Now, community-based agencies, including public park and recreation agencies, can directly receive funds from state educational agencies, which manage the program. Some states extend the grant award duration to five years. A caveat: The 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program now has a much stronger academic focus, and grant recipients must be able to continually document increased opportunities for academic enrichment enrichment Food industry The addition of vitamins or minerals to a food–eg, wheat, which may have been lost during processing. See White flour; Cf Whole grains. and measurable achievement. To receive funds from the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program you must provide academic-enrichment activities to students in low-performing schools that complement state and local standards. Grantees may provide services to the families of children who are served in the program. These support services support services Psychology Non-health care-related ancillary services–eg, transportation, financial aid, support groups, homemaker services, respite services, and other services for children and their families can be at locations that are as available and as accessible as a public-school. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the guidance stipulated by the program's new "principles of effectiveness," the programs must address the local needs of schools and communities. Park and recreation agencies can make a case for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program to fund action councils as a way to address local community needs--especially if community service projects engage high school-aged youths to tutor other students and help address barriers to accessing educational resources. In addition, if youth forums or youth councils show a need for job training in the community; this type of education is within the scope of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program. The Department of Education also runs the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Program, and passes down funds to states for the Governor's Grants for Drug and Violence Prevention Program. These programs are viable funding mechanisms that park and recreation agencies could use to support NRPA's National Youth Congress Program (most likely the action councils). Department of Labor In 2003, Congress will likely reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act, from which more than $1 billion goes for youth workforce development programs. The act authorizes three funding streams: adult workers, dislocated dis·lo·cate tr.v. dis·lo·cat·ed, dis·lo·cat·ing, dis·lo·cates 1. To put out of usual or proper place, position, or relationship. 2. workers and youth programs. The act requires communities to create youth councils to guide workforce development activities. For this funding, youth councils comprise not just youths, but also parents, youth service agency representatives and former participants. The councils develop local area plans for services, recommend agencies to receive funds and help to coordinate the multiple workforce development activities for youth. In addition, grant recipients must ensure that at least 30 percent of the funds provide services targeted to out-of-school youths. Participation in Workforce Investment Act programs is limited to 14- to 21-year-olds who meet certain eligibility requirements (e.g., homeless, literacy skills deficient de·fi·cient adj. 1. Lacking an essential quality or element. 2. Inadequate in amount or degree; insufficient. deficient a state of being in deficit. , out of school, etc.). The programs must address leadership-development activities and internships for youth, both of which are elements of NRPA's National Youth Congress Program. This can show youth councils how park and recreation-sponsored town hall forums, action councils and internships work within the aims of the Formula Youth Program and ask for funding. Park and recreation agencies could use a similar approach with local workforce investment boards Workforce Investment Boards (or "WIBs") are regional entities created to implement the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 in the United States, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. , which are eligible for Youth Opportunity grants (another program operated by the Department of Labor that's similar to the Formula Youth Program). The Youth Opportunity Program, however, includes intensive placement services and doesn't have as strict eligibility requirements for youth participants. The program is in operation in 36 cities, but its funding may be eliminated soon. The National Youth Employment Coalition is working to ensure that it's continued and expanded in future years; the coalition is also working on having the Workforce Investment Act reauthorized this year. Department of Health and Human Services Noun 1. Department of Health and Human Services - the United States federal department that administers all federal programs dealing with health and welfare; created in 1979 Health and Human Services, HHS The Center for Mental Health Services For the California public school, see . The Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) is a unit of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) witin the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. US government-supported group. Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services health services Managed care The benefits covered under a health contract for Children and Their Families Program (also known as "Systems of Care") augments natural supports in communities, such as respite care Respite Care Short-term or temporary care of a few hours or weeks of the sick or disabled to provide relief, or respite, to the regular caregiver, usually a family member. Notes: , youth support groups and other mechanisms. The program has been evaluated, and findings indicate that youth participants experience improved school attendance and performance, reduced contact with law enforcement-and increased behavioral functioning. Systems of Care currently funds 45 grantee An individual to whom a transfer or conveyance of property is made. In a case involving the sale of land, the buyer is commonly known as the grantee. grantee n. communities, which receive matches from state and local funds. Their budgets are generally between $13 million and $18 million for a six-to eight-year period. Park and recreation agencies can contract with these grantees to provide services. Grantees often work closely with schools, the juvenile justice system and community-based organizations, depending on the needs of the youth and families. Several sites sponsor youth forums (e.g., Westchester, N.Y., Detroit, Mich., and King County, Wash.) that would work well with the NRPA town hall forums and action councils. Other health grant programs that park and recreation agencies may want to access are the Community Services Block Grant The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) provides U.S. federal funding for Community Action Agencies (CAAs) and other programs that seek to address poverty at the community level. , the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant; and the Targeted Capacity Expansion Prevention and Early Intervention ear·ly intervention n. Abbr. EI A process of assessment and therapy provided to children, especially those younger than age 6, to facilitate normal cognitive and emotional development and to prevent developmental disability or delay. Grant. The Administration on Children and Families provides block grants to states for the Community Services Block Grants. These grants are used to revitalize re·vi·tal·ize tr.v. re·vi·tal·ized, re·vi·tal·iz·ing, re·vi·tal·iz·es To impart new life or vigor to: plans to revitalize inner-city neighborhoods; tried to revitalize a flagging economy. low-income communities, a goal that would be consistent with all three phases of NRPA's National Youth Congress Program. The Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant, managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), agency of the U.S. Public Health Service since 1973, with headquarters in Atlanta; it was established in 1946 as the Communicable Disease Center. , is the primary source of flexible funding to provide states the latitude latitude, angular distance of any point on the surface of the earth north or south of the equator. The equator is latitude 0°, and the North Pole and South Pole are latitudes 90°N and 90°S, respectively. to fund any of 265 national health objectives available in the nation's Healthy People 2010 health improvement plan, including mental health and substance abuse objectives. There's also the Targeted Capacity Expansion--Prevention and Early Intervention program of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an operating division of the Health and Human Services Department (HHS), was established in 1992 by the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration Reorganization Act (Pub. L. No. 102-321). . It aims to increase the-capacity of cities, counties and tribal governments to provide prevention and early intervention treatment services to meet the mental health needs of communities. Projects funded through the program must target services to children, adolescents and their families. The Targeted Capacity Expansion program and the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant seem well-suited to support NRPA action councils. National Service In his State of the Union address “State of the Union” redirects here. For other uses, see State of the Union (disambiguation). The State of the Union is an annual address in which the President of the United States reports on the status of the country, normally to a joint session of Congress (the last year, President Bush proposed a 50 percent expansion of AmeriCorps. The AmeriCorps expansion is aimed at helping to ensure communities' disaster preparedness pre·par·ed·ness n. The state of being prepared, especially military readiness for combat. Noun 1. preparedness - the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action); "putting them , promote public health and safety; and provide disaster relief. AmeriCorps also seeks to strengthen communities through projects that address education, the environment and other unmet un·met adj. Not satisfied or fulfilled: unmet demands. human needs. AmeriCorps youth members (usually aged 16-24) develop and implement community projects to address these needs and learn new skills in the process. In exchange for their service with AmeriCorps, members earn money for college. Park and recreation agencies can sponsor AmeriCorps programs to provide stipends to youth participants performing community service or internships; thus, AmeriCorps could support NRPA action councils and internships. Nutrition Programs Well-fed youths learn and pay attention more easily than hungry youths. Food not only helps to draw youths into the park and recreation program, but also helps them avoid the consequences of hunger and to do their best in all activities. More than 20,000 after-school programs receive federal funds Federal Funds Funds deposited to regional Federal Reserve Banks by commercial banks, including funds in excess of reserve requirements. Notes: These non-interest bearing deposits are lent out at the Fed funds rate to other banks unable to meet overnight reserve for the food they serve through the federal Department of Agriculture. -Park and recreation agencies qualify as local government agencies eligible to participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a type of United States Federal assistance provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to States in order to provide a daily subsidized food service for an estimated 2. , which reimburses for snacks and, in some cases, meals. The program reimburses after-school programs located in low-income areas that provide snacks to children age 18 and under. In addition, the Summer Food Service Program funds park and recreation agencies meals to low-income youths during the summers. Both of these programs could likely add fuel to the NRPA Youth Congress Program. Resources for the Future 21st Century Community Learning Center Program (Department of Education) For a list of state contacts, go to: www.ed.gov/21stcclc/statecontacts.html. More information on the program can be found at www.ed.gov/21stcclc. AmeriCorps (Corporation for National Service) Learn more about how to start a program in your community at www.americorps.org/startaprogram.html. Child and Adult Care Food Program (Department of Agriculture) For more information, go to www.fns.usda. gov/cnd/care/cacfp/cacfphome.htm. State agencies responsible for this program are at www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Contacts/ StateDirectory.htm. Community Services Block Grant (Administration for Children and Families The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is a division of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It is headed by the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, which from 2001 to 2007 was Dr. Wade F. Horn. ) Public entities, including recreation and parks, can be partners in this block grant program. For more information, go to: www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/ocs/csbg/ index.htm or call 202-401-9344. Food, Research, and Action Center Provides tips on starting and managing the USDA Child Nutrition programs. Go to www.frac.org or contact Crystal Weedall at 202-986-2200, ext. 3006. Governor's Grants for Drug and Violence Prevention (Department of Education) For more information, contact your governor's office or, at the U.S. Department of Education, Robert Alexander
Local Incentive Grants for Delinquency Prevention To access contact information for your juvenile justice state coordinator or specialist, go to http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/titlev/grant.html, or contact Heidi Hsia at 202-616-3667 or hsiah@ojp.usdoj.gov. Additional delinquency-prevention funding information may be found at http://ojp.usdoj.gov/fundopps.htm. National Youth Employment Coalition A resourceful re·source·ful adj. Able to act effectively or imaginatively, especially in difficult situations. re·source  ful·ly adv. Web site is at www.nyec. org, or call them at 202-659-1064. National Recreation and Park Association For information on the National Youth Congress Program, contact Sonia Amir, director of the Office of Youth Services, at 703-858-2199 or samir@nrpa.org. For information on grants or advocacy, and to sign up to receive the monthly RecreACTION Coalition for Youth newsletter, contact Erica Hamilton in the Division of Public Policy at 202-887-0290 or ehamilton@nrpa.org. Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) For a listing of Healthy People 2010 health improvement plans in your state, go to www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/blockgrant/state selection.htm. Write to cdcinfo@cdc.gov to ask for your state contact. Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities (Department of Education) See www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/SDFS/. For a forecast of Department of Education-funding opportunities, go to www.ed.gov/ offices/OCFO/grants/forecast.html. Summer Food Service Program (Department of Agriculture) To apply to participate in this program, contact your state education agency via www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Summer/contacts. html. For more information on the program, go to www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Summer/ Default.htm or call 703-305-2286. Systems of Care A list of current grantees of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program can be found at www.mentalhealth.org/cmhs/ childrenscampaign/grantcomm.asp. Targeted Capacity Expansion Program For more information, go to http://samhsa.gov/grants/grants.html. Youth Opportunity Grants (Department of Labor) For more information, go to www.doleta.gov/youth_services/yog.asp. Workforce Investment Act Formula Grants (Department of Labor) State contacts can be found at www.doleta.gov/usworkforce/asp/ statecon.asp. Erica Shane Hamilton is the policy associate for public health in NRPA's public policy division in Washington, D.C. She can be reached at ehamilton@nrpa.org. |
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