Increasing out-of-school programming to at-risk youth and linking parents to job and housing opportunities.

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).

YWCA Columbus seeks to reduce juvenile crime by stabilizing families. Federal funds would enable the YWCA programs to strengthen out-of-school programming, housing and employment services for parents and children in ways that effectively overcome barriers and foster opportunities for self-sufficiency. These funds will bring educational and cultural opportunities to the 2,000 children at the Family Center and other YWCA youth programming sites. The funds will provide 90 out-of-school program scholarships to at-risk youth in the Greater Columbus area and all children will participate in a nationally recognized Cultural Diversity and Anti-Bias training. Also, all youth staff will be trained on strategies to reduce juvenile crime by enhancing academic achievement and social development. Funding will also alleviate barriers and foster opportunities to obtain jobs and housing for families by providing quality childcare; acquiring state-of-the-art technology to improve their on-site Employment Resource Centers; and offering the services of two staff persons whose sole responsibility will be to transport families to housing, job interviews and community resources.

NCA/NCF