Albany Totally Teen Zone After School Initiative

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 City of Albany will implement the Totally Teen Zone After-School Initiative. This initiative will occur from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at Thornton Gym and Community Center, Lockett Station Community Center, and Henderson Gym and Community Center. The program is open to teens ages 13 ' 17, who are currently enrolled in the Dougherty County School System. Each program site is within walking distance of a Dougherty County Middle or High School. The Totally Teen Zone After-School Initiative will provide life skill development and enrichment activities through the implementation of three 'zones.' The zones include: educational development through homework assistance, adult mentoring and career development, and health and wellness opportunities.

The objectives of this program include: (1) To improve the overall relationship between teens and law enforcement in Albany; (2) To reduce violent youth offenses and drug use during the program dates and times; (3) To reduce repeat teen absenteeism; (4) To improve graduation rates: (5) To improve overall participant health; (6) To reduce teen pregnancy rates; (7) To improve interactions between teens and adults; and (8) To improve relationships between teens from different neighborhoods in the City of Albany.

NCA/NCF