Rural Alaska Mentoring Project

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.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska will use their FY 2009 Congressionally Selected Award funds to strengthen their program in rural Alaska. The program will be expanded to double the number of participating youth by 2011.

Growing up in Alaska is a precarious endeavor. The rates for teen suicide, school drop-out, juvenile delinquency, and child abuse exceed the national average. The statistics are worse for Alaska Native youth. Alaska has many small isolated communities, some only accessible by air or sea, with limited resources and employment opportunities. Many lack culturally appropriate prevention services to help overcome these challenges and address the alarming statistics that reflect the risk of being an Alaska youth.

With these funds, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska (BBBS) will focus on strengthening programs in rural Alaska. Developing the community engagement and internal infrastructure necessary to sustain support for youth mentoring programs is critical to success in rural areas. Community-based collaboration increases the grantee's organizational capacity to provide professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships for more rural and Alaska Native youth statewide. BBBS intends to double the number of at-risk and Alaska Native children it serves.

Funds will be expended for personnel, fringe benefits, training, computers, office supplies, rent, information technology, and communications.

NCA/NCF