First Substitute H.B. 121

Representative Loraine T. Pace proposes to substitute the following bill:

1 PROGRAM FOR AT-RISK YOUTH AND THEIR
2 FAMILIES
3 1998 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Sponsor: Loraine T. Pace
6 Evan L. Olsen

7 AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION; CREATING THE
8 "STRENGTHENING AT-RISK YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES" PROGRAM AT UTAH
9 STATE UNIVERSITY; PROVIDING PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS; APPROPRIATING
10 $442,000; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
11 This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
12 ENACTS:
13 53B-18-601, Utah Code Annotated 1953
14 53B-18-602, Utah Code Annotated 1953
15 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
16 Section 1. Section 53B-18-601 is enacted to read:
17 Part 6. Strengthening At-Risk Youth and Their Families Program
18 53B-18-601. Program creation -- Location.
19 (1) There is created the Strengthening At-Risk Youth and Their Families Program to be
20 administered through the Utah State University Extension Family Life and 4-H Programs.
21 (2) The program shall be implemented throughout the state through Utah State University
22 Extension county offices.
23 Section 2. Section 53B-18-602 is enacted to read:
24 53B-18-602. Program requirements -- Referrals -- Evaluation.

1 (1) The program shall provide services to youth who have demonstrated behavioral and
2 learning problems at school or have been referred to juvenile court for delinquent behavior.
3 (2) Youths and their families in need of services may be identified and referred to the
4 program through:
5 (a) school officials;
6 (b) juvenile court officers;
7 (c) community social service agencies; or
8 (d) parents.
9 (3) The program shall actively seek and screen adult volunteers to work with high risk
10 youth and their families.
11 (4) The program shall provide training and support to the volunteers to prepare them for
12 the wide variety of social, cultural, and other environmental factors they will encounter.
13 (5) The volunteers shall:
14 (a) enroll and involve youth in 4-H and other community service and activity programs;
15 (b) provide academic tutoring, with an emphasis on reading skills, when necessary;
16 (c) seek out opportunities for participation in structured recreational activities; and
17 (d) facilitate the families' development of a positive family environment including:
18 (i) setting clear expectations and limits in the home;
19 (ii) fostering communication skills between family members;
20 (iii) encouraging the families' involvement in the school and community; and
21 (iv) assisting in the development of time management skills.
22 (6) The program shall provide for an annual assessment and evaluation of the entire
23 program including:
24 (a) assessments conducted on youths and their families before entering the program;
25 (b) documentation of ongoing changes observed in the youths while participating in the
26 program, including behavioral and academic changes;
27 (c) assessments conducted on youths and their families upon exiting the program; and
28 (d) overall assessment of the program in the various communities, to include:
29 (i) acceptance and support within the community;
30 (ii) availability of sufficient programs and activities; and
31 (iii) availability of qualified adults to serve as volunteers.

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1 Section 3. Appropriation.
2 (1) There is appropriated from the General Fund for fiscal year 1998-1999, $442,000 to
3 Utah State University Extension.
4 (2) These funds shall be used to expand and implement the "Strengthening At-Risk Youth
5 and Their Families" program throughout the state. It is the intent of the Legislature that this
6 appropriation be ongoing.
7 Section 4. Effective date.
8 This act takes effect on July 1, 1998.

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