Youth Futures Commission Programs

The OJJDP FY 09 Earmarks Programs further the Department's mission by providing grants, cooperative agreements, and other assistance authorized by the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, as amended, to organizations identified in the Explanatory Statement Regarding H.R. 1105 (Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009), 155 Cong. Rec. H1653 (daily ed. Feb. 23, 2009) (statement by Rep. Obey, Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations of the House).

United Way of Allegheny County (UWAC)proposes to implement projects directed by the Youth Futures Commission Strategic Plan. The target population is at-risk youth residing in distressed communities in Allegheny County. The project will provide four programs: Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS) Curriculum ' a Blueprints Model program being adapted for after-school programs; Stop Now and Plan (SNAP) Program - addresses significant behavioral problems; Career and Education Mentoring - research-based mentoring program delivered in schools; and Summer Youth Violence Prevention Program - serves highest-risk young men and includes year-round supports. UWAC is contracting with qualified and experienced providers to implement these programs. Some short-term outcomes include: (1) increase awareness of appropriate problem solving behaviors, (2) increase awareness of future jobs/careers, and (3) understand the importance of completing high school with skills. Intermediate outcomes include improved problem-solving and conflict resolution skills and increased academic effort (e.g., decreased behavior problems, including violence and delinquency; increased homework completion, grades, etc.). Independent evaluators will assess outcomes to provide lessons learned and inform best practices. NCA/NCF