Gang Alternatives and Intervention Network

The OJJDP FY 10 Earmarks Program furthers 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 Conference Report to accompany the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010 (P.L. 111-117), H.R. Conf. Rep. No. 111-366 at 702-714.

Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. (YAP) has been a pioneer in strength-based community programming for young people and families with complex needs and extreme circumstances. More specifically, YAP operates successful gang intervention programs in Arizona, Nevada, Texas, and Washington, D.C., and also provides technical assistance. The YAP Charleston County Gang Alternatives and Intervention Network (GAIN) program will provide gang prevention and intervention services to approximately 60 young people ages 14-18. The GAIN program has three goals for program participants: reduce gang activities; increase exposure to new and positive resources; and completion of all program requirements. The project will accomplish a structured combination of mentoring and individualized service planning, safety planning, group activities, 24-hour accessibility to staff, and promoting and nurturing the strengths of each youth served. Expected outcomes include: 80% of YAP participants will reduce participation in gang activity and gang membership; 90% of participants will have an Individual Service Plan (ISP) completed within two weeks; 80% of participants will not commit new law violations within six months of discharge from the YAP program, and 80% of participants will be connected to a school or educational/vocational setting upon discharge from the YAP program. NCA/NCF