ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
out-of-school programs;
appropriation
Appropriates
$5 million in FY 2001-2002 from the federal temporary assistance for needy
families (TANF) block grant to the Department of Economic Security (DES) to
contract with providers to establish and operate out-of-school programs for
youth ages 11 through 16.
According to the National Center for Juvenile Justice, peak
hours of violent juvenile crime are 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. These hours are also linked to teen sexual activity, cigarette
smoking, alcohol and other drug use and becoming victims of crime. A recent
survey of law enforcement officials conducted by Fight Crimes: Invest In Kids ranked
after-school and educational child care as the top strategy to reduce youth
violence. The National Academy of Sciences reported in 2000 that older
adolescents have not been engaged in after-school programs and are most in need
of guidance, positive adult mentors and role models.
DES administers several
child care programs for children who are under the age of 13. DES also
administers independent living skills programs for youth in foster care who are
over the age of 15. There are no state-funded
programs for youth ages 13 through 15.
The bill authorizes DES to
contract with providers who will establish and operate out-of-school programs
for youth ages 11 through 16. It specifies requirements for DES, the providers,
the programs and the evaluator.
S.B. 1095 appropriates $5
million from the TANF block grant in FY 2001-2002 to DES for contracted
out-of-school programs and evaluation of the programs. The appropriation is
exempt from lapsing until July 1, 2004. The total administrative and evaluation
costs are limited to 10 percent.
1. Appropriates $5 million TANF funds to DES in FY 2001-2002 to contract with providers establishing and operating out-of-school programs. Exempts appropriations from lapsing until July 1, 2004.
DES Requirements
2. Requires DES to give preference for providers in communities with high rates of teen pregnancy, violence, delinquency and participation in free or reduced price lunch programs.
3. Requires DES to contract in at least one urban and one rural community.
4. Requires DES to contract for an annual program evaluation.
5. Allows DES to use up to 10 percent for administrative costs and program evaluation.
Provider Requirements
6. Requires providers to include in proposals a basis for determining their program activities are innovative and incorporate best practices and a plan for programs to be self-sustaining within three years.
7. Requires providers to offer programs at no or minimal cost to the youths.
8. Requires providers to collaborate with schools, local business, child care programs, public and private agencies and other concerned citizens.
9. Requires providers to coordinate with agencies serving younger children to provide activities for siblings of youth participating in programs.
10. Requires providers to transport youth between program sites, the youth’s home and school.
11. Requires providers to adequately train staff and volunteers.
12. Restricts providers from providing activities to groups of more than 30 youth and restricts adult group leaders from supervising more than 13 youth.
13. Allows providers to permit youth to work with younger children under adult supervision and specifies that the youth is not an adult leader.
Program Requirements
14. Requires a program to provide a diverse choice of activities from a specific list.
15. Requires a program to build on strengths of individuals and communities.
16. Requires a program to use youths as a resource to strengthen and build communities.
17. Requires a program to provide nutritious snacks.
18. Requires a program to be culturally appropriate.
19. Requires a program to be in a structured, safe and supervised environment.
20. Allows a program to provide incentives for youth participation.
Evaluation Requirements
21. Requires the evaluator to develop measurement instruments with providers.
22. Requires the evaluator to collect specified information on participating youth.
23. Requires the evaluator to submit an annual report to DES.
Other
24. Terminates contracts on July 1, 2004 or earlier.
25. Repeals the programs on January 1, 2005.
26. Contains definitions.
27. Provides for a general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Staff
January 23, 2001