Doubling of youth intervention program funding sought

At age 13, Trenton Washington has experienced both the good and bad of what he can be.

Earlier in his young life, Trenton had many troubles — including stealing phones and taking food from stores — and was eventually expelled from school. Now, he is staying out of trouble, taking all accelerated classes and carrying a 3.3 grade-point average.

The difference, he told the House Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Finance Committee Thursday, was joining a youth intervention program.

“Instead of being known as a thief and a failing student, I’m known as a young, polite gentleman that has an excellent future,” Trenton said.

Rep. Mark Uglem

Held over by the committee for possible inclusion in its omnibus bill is HF273. Sponsored by Rep. Mark Uglem (R-Champlin), it would double the state biennial appropriation for youth intervention programs to $10 million, require that recipients provide a match equal to the state grant (they currently must provide two times the amount) and raise the maximum grant from $50,000 to $75,000.

“It’s a matter of return on investment,” Uglem said. “Youth intervention works. It’s a smashing success, and to expand on that, I think, is very prudent fiscal management.”

A companion, SF184, sponsored by Sen. Melisa Franzen (DFL-Edina), awaits action by the Senate Finance Committee.

According to the Department of Public Safety, “YIP programs provide services for youth including truancy prevention, literacy and academic assistance, behavioral interventions and counseling, mentoring, juvenile justice system diversions and restorative justice, afterschool activities, career exploration and life skills classes, and emergency youth shelter.”

Paul Meunier, executive director of the Youth Intervention Programs Association, said approximately 75 organizations currently receive grants through the department’s Office of Justice Programs.

“We’re on a mission to see youth succeed,” he said. “We are out to change the world.”

Meunier indicated that of the approximately 1.8 million Minnesotans between the ages of 5 and 19, an estimated 300,000 are considered at-risk. He said that 90 percent of intervention program participants do better in school, remain law-abiding and have an overall pro-social attitude.

Nicole Tran has future opportunities lined up that would not have happened without taking part in a youth intervention program.

“We all have the potential for change if given the opportunity,” she said. “You learn to trust the community, you learn that the community has a heart for you. … The youth of the community is the future of the community.”