March 1, 2010

Rep. David Day Files Legislation to Re-Establish

Missouri Youth Challenge Academy

Jefferson City – State Representative David Day, R-Dixon, has filed legislation to re-establish the Missouri Youth Challenge Academy, which would intervene in the lives of at-risk youth in Missouri.  The Academy, which was originally established 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.

“The re-establishment of this Academy is an opportunity to add structure in the lives of many at-risk young men and women.  This program, which is similar to a “boot camp”, will allow these kids to learn life and academic skills which will hopefully allow them to make better decisions in the future and become great citizens in their communities,” Day said.  “State & federal funding, along with private donations can allow this program to start again, we should make every effort to re-start this rewarding program and make a difference in these young lives.”

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.  The bill would 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.

“For many of these kids this will be the first time there has been structure and discipline in their lives.  This is not an easy academy to graduate from, but let’s face it, life isn’t easy.  This academy was a huge success in Missouri in the past and sadly it was cut from funding, I think now is the time to reinstate it and start reaching many of these young people” concluded Day.

The legislation is HB 2262.