HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1346

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO YOUTH.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that youth violence and truancy are a significant problem in many neighborhoods, a problem compounded by a lack of afterschool and school break programs and services.  The 2005 Youth Gangs report by the office of youth services noted that the areas with the highest levels of reported gang involvement also had low reported levels of community and family involvement.  The report also recommended geographically focused interventions drawing on community strengths and resources where possible, and additional data gathering on best practice implementation. 

     The National Center for School Engagement notes that extended learning opportunities and programs to support attendance, academics, and personal development through after school programs and summer enrichment programs are especially important for students at risk of school failure because they fill the "gap time" with constructive and engaging activities. 

     The legislature further finds that the office of youth services within the department of human services provides comprehensive front end services and programs for youth to prevent delinquency and reduce the incidence of recidivism.  The legislature finds that the objectives of a positive youth development program are supported by the office of youth services.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the office of youth services to coordinate a positive youth development program to provide after school and school break programs for middle and high school students focused on prevention and intervention and appropriate funds for that purpose.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  Beginning on July 1, 2016, the office of youth services shall implement a positive youth development program in partnership with private organizations.  The objective of the program shall be to establish, support, and enhance after-school and school break programs focused on positive youth development and evaluate the programs for efficacy and impact.  The office may enter into contracts with high schools, individuals, organizations, or other entities to provide after-school positive youth development programs to middle and high school students.  All youth are eligible for the program's services.  

     (b)  Both preventative and intervention targeted programs may be funded, including:

     (1)  Preventative programs and services such as mentoring, tutoring, family strengthening, and culture based programing, mediation, vocational training, gender programming, and the operation of drop-in centers providing such services; and

     (2)  Intervention programs and services such as aggressive outreach, intensive case management, anger management training, intensive mentoring, intensive group mediation, and positive resiliency building.

     (c)  The office shall:

     (1)  Establish criteria and application, selection, and award processes for funding after-school and school break positive youth development programs;

     (2)  Monitor the after-school and school break programs at each program site;

     (3)  Ensure that each positive youth development program meets contractual expectations; and

     (4)  Partner with the department of education, police department, peer education programs, private schools, and other youth services organizations to build awareness of the positive youth development programs for youth.

     (d)  For the purposes of this Act:

     "Youth" means a person eighteen years of age or younger.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $        or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2015-2016 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the establishment and operation of the positive youth development program.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the office of youth services of the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.


 


 

Report Title:

Office of Youth Services; Department of Human Services; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes a program within the office of youth services for positive youth development through after school and school break programs.  (HB1346 HD1)

 

 

 

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