We're Here and We Care Program (WHWCP)

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).

The 'We're Here and We Care Program (WHWCP)' will be a coordinated effort on the part of Detroit Police Department, the State of Michigan Committee of Juvenile Justice, the Wayne County Child and Family Services, the Juvenile Assessment Center, and Detroit Public Schools to combat dropout rates at Chadsey (Southwestern District), Finney (Eastern District) and Central High Schools (Tenth Precinct). These schools were chosen to be the pilot programs for the city of Detroit because they have produced the worst rates of graduation, not including the listed alternative schools.

The student population at the Detroit Public Alternative Schools listed previously is smaller in size and the average student is older. Therefore, it was felt that these three locations would be best suited to the program.
Within WHWCP, the program will target youth in grades 9 and 10. Those in the 11th and 12th grades who are under the age of 18 will also be able to participate in the program. Primarily, it will be Detroit Public School staff at the three designated locations that will identify the At-Risk youth. Detroit Police Department members are also very active within the schools, working as school officers and providing instruction within other grant programs (Gang Resistance Education and Training Program, commonly referred to as the GREAT program). These members will also look for candidates for the WHWCP. NCA/NCF