Our Children's Homestead Youth Violence Prevention 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.

Our Children's Homestead, Inc. will receive funding from the FY 2009 Congressionally Selected Grant Program to provide therapeutic, supportive, and preventive services in a youth centered team-based Youth Violence Prevention Program. The program targets high-risk adolescents in foster care to keep them out of the justice system and from repeating a cycle of violence, and teach them to be productive, self-sufficient members of the community. The participants include special needs adolescents living in Rockford, Illinois and surrounding communities, both male and female, primarily African-American, with low academic performance, low income level, and with a family history of abuse and neglect. Both individual and group counseling will help them address anger management, crisis issues, and promote conflict resolution. The program will provide opportunities for positive social development through required extra-curricular activities and volunteer projects in the community. The program's objectives include decreasing high-risk factors for juvenile delinquency and violence and the participants' progress will be measured quarterly.

NCA/NCF