Rep. Day’s Legislation to Re-Establish
Missouri Youth Challenge Academy Clears Committee
Jefferson City – By a unanimous vote HB 2262 cleared the committee hurdle and is now headed to the Floor of the Missouri House of Representatives. HB 2262, sponsored by Rep. David Day (R-Dixon) will re-establish the Missouri Youth Challenge Academy for troubled youth in Missouri, a program that many refer to as “Boot Camp for kids”. The Academy, which was originally established in Missouri in FY 1999 and discontinued in FY 2002 due to lack of funding, utilizes residential military-based training and supervised work experience to build life skills for high school dropouts.
“I am thankful for the committee’s strong support of such a great program” said Day. “In working with numerous groups and individuals, there is enough interest in this program from the private sector that the State of Missouri will not have to use any additional resources. The 25% funding the state has to contribute will be paid for by private donations, the other 75% of the funds are from federal dollars that are already allocated for such programs” said Day.
Youth Challenge is recognized by experts as the most cost effective, highly rated Academy of its kind for at risk teens. On average, 80% earn their GED; 25% continue their education after the academy and 20% joined the military. To participate in the program, there is an application process to attend the academy.
Currently the National Guard operates 32 academies in 28 states for at-risk high school dropouts. There are two phases to the academy, a five month residential phase, and a 12 month mentoring phase. HB 2262 will also create the Missouri Youth Challenge Foundation Fund to accept donations for the program to offset the 25 percent match the state would need to make. The FY 2010 National Defense Authorization Act would authorize federal funding for 75 percent of the program’s operating costs. Rep. Day’s HB 2262 has a zero fiscal note, meaning there is no additional cost to the State of Missouri.
“It’s rare for such legislation to be presented to a committee and then voted out during the same week, but I think that shows how much support it has. I also included an Emergency Clause in the bill, that way it can go into effect as soon as the Governor signs it, instead of waiting until August 28th when new laws normally go on the books. This will allow the donation dollars to start being collected and enrollment process to begin earlier” concluded Day.