Program Authorization: R.S. 29:721-736
The mission of the Education Program in the Department of Military Affairs is to provide an alternative education opportunity for selected youth through the Youth Challenge and Carville Programs.
The goal of the Education Program in the Department of Military Affairs is to support local community needed by providing alternative educational opportunities.
The Military Department Education Program is a 17-month program offering at-risk adolescents an opportunity to change their future. The initial program consists of a five-month residential phase when the students learn self-discipline, leadership and responsibility while working to complete a high school equivalency diploma (GED). Participants live and work in a controlled military environment, which encourages teamwork and personal growth. A second twelve-month phase consists of helping to enroll students in continued education, a technical school program or an entry-level job. The student works with the guidance of a trained mentor during the post-residential phase.
Male and female dropouts, ages 16-18, are eligible to apply. Qualified applicants must be a resident of Louisiana, be unemployed, drug free, not involved with the legal system, and most importantly, have a desire to complete the rigorous training program. It is a voluntary program.
The Education Program curriculum combines classroom work, community service, physical training and challenging individual and team activities into one unique experience. The core of the program consists of 200 hours of academic classroom instruction. Other major blocks of instruction include a 10-part life skills program that consists of health and drug abuse awareness, leadership and discipline, personal development, physical fitness and basic job readiness skills. In addition, students gain computer and word processing skills. Participation in community service projects also encourages personal growth and development.
The five-month residential phase is held at one of two Military Department sites: Camp Beauregard, Pineville or Gillis Long Center, Carville. Participants live in military barracks and have access to a variety of classrooms, training resources and athletic fields. Corps members are supervised at all times and must remain on post unless participating in an authorized off-post activity. All personal needs, such as meals, bedding and uniforms are provided at no cost to the participants.
The Education program is run by trained Louisiana National Guard personnel assisted by educators certified by the Louisiana Department of Education. One qualified adult counselor is assigned to an appropriate ratio of students, and classroom size is limited to ensure maximum personal attention for each student. Additional National Guard support staff include certified physical fitness trainers, medical personnel and administrative staff. Upon completion of the residential phase, a trained and matched mentor from the community assists students in post-graduate development.
There is no cost to participants or their families for this program. Participants are paid a small weekly allowance to offset person expenses and to provide practical skills in money management.
OBJECTIVES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Unless otherwise indicated, all objectives are to be accomplished during or by the end of FY 1999-2000. Performance indicators are made up of two parts: name and value. The indicator name describes what is being measured. The indicator value is the numeric value or level achieved within a given measurement period. For budgeting purposes, performance indicator values are shown for the prior fiscal year, the current fiscal year, and alternative funding scenarios (continuation budget level and Executive Budget recommendation level) for the ensuing fiscal year (the fiscal year of the budget document).
RESOURCE ALLOCATION FOR THE PROGRAM
SOURCE OF FUNDING
This program is funded with State General Fund, Fees and Self-generated Revenues and Federal Funds. The Fees and Self-generated Revenues are from income from various buildings. The Federal Funds are derived from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
ANALYSIS OF RECOMMENDATION
The total means of financing for this program is recommended at 119.9% of the existing operating budget. It represents 102.3% of the total request ($13,962,012) for this program. The net increase over the existing operating budget is mainly due to the annualization of the Carville Academy Youth Challenge program.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
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This program does not have funding for Professional Services for Fiscal Year 1999-2000. |
OTHER CHARGES
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Youth Challenge Program student stipend expenses from a federal grant by the National Guard |
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ACQUISITIONS AND MAJOR REPAIRS
