Youth Initiative to Encourage Learning & Development (YIELD) Program

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 YIELD Program provides quality youth programming designed to enhance the lives of the participants, keep them safe during the after-school hours, and prepare them for life after high school. The YIELD Program seeks to increase the accessibility of after-school programming and enrichment activities for all youth in Pulaski County, while preparing the youth of today to be the leaders of tomorrow. The YIELD Program is for youth between the ages of 6 and 17 and will serve 608 youth. Activities within the YIELD Program include the Our Club After-School Program, ACT Preparation, Youthonomics, Public Service Internship, Week of the Arts Program, and the Youth Leadership Institute. All YIELD Program activities are free of charge to the participants. The program's success will be measured based on the number of youth who participate in the programs and the impact of each program, whether it is increased academic understanding or a positive change in attitudes. The goals of the program are: to prepare students for life after high school; to prepare Pulaski County's college-bound youth for success in college; to develop and instill leadership and professional qualities among youth and to provide children, youth, and families with safe and structured after-school and summer programming. The program will measure the following performance measures: percent of youth who complete program requirements; percent of youth with whom an evidence-based program practice was used; percent of you who re-offend; and percent of youth who exhibit desired change in targeted behaviors. NCA/NCF