46-805. YOUTH CHALLENGE PROGRAM.

(1) (a) There is hereby established the Idaho youth challenge program, a multi-phased youth intervention program. The program will provide, among other things, a structured, disciplined residential phase of at least twenty-two (22) weeks focusing on education and practical life skills and a post-residential phase of at least twelve (12) months involving skilled and trained mentors supporting graduates and engaged in positive and durable placement of graduates. The youth challenge program shall be focused on assisting participants in achieving a high school diploma or obtaining a general equivalency diploma (GED) and helping to ensure that participants become productive members of society.

(b) The program shall be eligible to receive and expend any moneys provided to the program including, but not limited to, private contributions, federal funds and state alternative school funding. In the event that moneys for any fiscal year are inadequate to fund the youth challenge program, the program shall be discontinued. The decision to discontinue the program due to inadequate funding shall be made by the legislature and the governor in a joint letter provided to the adjutant general and signed by the governor, the president pro tempore of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives.

(2) The youth challenge program shall be administered by the state adjutant general in conjunction with:

(a) The board of trustees of an appropriate school district of this state; or

(b) A governing board, the members of which shall be appointed by the governor. The size of such governing board and qualifications and terms of board members shall be provided for in rule authorized by this section.

(3) The program and all program participants shall be governed by all applicable laws, regulations and guidelines including, but not limited to, 32 U.S.C. section 509.

(4) (a) In order to be eligible to participate in the program, applicants shall meet the criteria established by the adjutant general in administrative rule.

(b) Applicants shall be selected for the program by the youth challenge program board of admissions. Such board shall be appointed by the adjutant general. Qualifications for board membership, length of board terms, size of the board and other necessary provisions shall be established by the adjutant general in administrative rule.

(5) The adjutant general is authorized to enter into contracts and to promulgate rules to implement the provisions of this section.

(6) The school district where the youth challenge program is located may take steps to have the youth challenge program be considered and designated as an alternative school.

History:

[46-805, added 2011, ch. 322, sec. 1, p. 938; am. 2012, ch. 234, sec. 1, p. 651; am. 2015, ch. 302, sec. 4, p. 1187.]