YouthBuild Long Island Program

The Congressionally Selected Awards Program, authorized by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-8), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects selected by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-8, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 09 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

United Way of Long Island will use Fiscal Year 2009 Congressionally Selected Awards funding to support its YouthBuild-Long Island Program. The program aims to provide education and employment skills to high school drop-outs, adjudicated youth, former gang members, and youth aging out of the foster care system in an effort to steer them away from future involvement in the criminal justice system. Youth participants will balance in-school learning, geared toward passing the General Education Development test, with construction skills training, geared toward a career placement in an occupation that is in high demand.

NCA/NCF