81R5542 JSC-D

By: Farias H.B. No. 1978

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of an evidence-based youth development competitive grant pilot program.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by adding Subchapter S to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER S. EVIDENCE-BASED YOUTH DEVELOPMENT COMPETITIVE GRANT

PILOT PROGRAM

Sec. 531.751. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "adolescent" means a person who is at least 12 years of age but younger than 18 years of age.

Sec. 531.752. ESTABLISHMENT OF EVIDENCE-BASED YOUTH DEVELOPMENT COMPETITIVE GRANT PILOT PROGRAM. (a) The commission shall establish an evidence-based youth development competitive grant pilot program to award grants for the implementation, expansion, and operation of evidence-based youth development programs designed to provide information and guidance for not more than 75 adolescents in making healthy and beneficial life choices.

(b) The pilot program shall be located in Bexar County and serve regions that are:

(1) located in zip codes in which the school-age birth rate is at least three times the national school-age birth rate; and

(2) served by one or more school districts in which:

(A) at least 90 percent of the student population is economically disadvantaged; and

(B) the annual dropout rate for grades 7 through 12 is greater than five percent.

Sec. 531.753. EVIDENCE-BASED YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS. (a) An evidence-based youth development program funded through a grant awarded under this subchapter must:

(1) target adolescents who:

(A) are at risk of becoming pregnant or causing an unplanned pregnancy or already have a child;

(B) are at risk of engaging in delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need for supervision, as those terms are defined by Section 51.03, Family Code;

(C) are at risk of dropping out of school;

(D) live in foster care or in a facility operated by the state; or

(E) live in economically disadvantaged circumstances;

(2) feature a curriculum that is appropriate for adolescents and that has been demonstrated to reduce school dropout and adolescent pregnancy rates;

(3) include a community service component of not fewer than 20 hours each year;

(4) include at least one activity session or group discussion each week; and

(5) cover a wide variety of developmental topics of interest to adolescents, including:

(A) development of values and good judgment;

(B) communication and assertiveness;

(C) healthy relationships;

(D) influence of others and peer pressure;

(E) goal-setting;

(F) decision-making;

(G) development and human sexuality;

(H) preparation for participation in community service activities;

(I) community service learning; and

(J) group reflection on community service experiences.

(b) An evidence-based youth development program must operate for not less than nine months or an academic school year.

Sec. 531.754. APPLICATION. (a) A public or private entity, including a county, municipality, or other political subdivision of this state, may apply for a grant under this subchapter by submitting a written application to the commission on a form prescribed by the commission.

(b) The application prescribed by the commission must:

(1) require the applicant to provide data on the number of adolescents who will receive assistance through the program;

(2) describe the ongoing monitoring and evaluation process to which a grant recipient is subject, including the recipient's obligation to collect and provide information requested by the commission; and

(3) require the applicant to provide other relevant information as determined by the commission.

Sec. 531.755. ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS IN AWARDING GRANTS. In determining whether to award a grant under this subchapter, the commission shall consider:

(1) the demonstrated need for an evidence-based youth development program in the community in which the applicant proposes to operate or expand the program, as determined by:

(A) the poverty rate;

(B) the crime rate;

(C) the school-age birth rate;

(D) the rate of drug and alcohol abuse; and

(E) the annual dropout rate for grades 7 through 12;

(2) the applicant's ability to participate in ongoing monitoring and performance evaluations, including the applicant's ability to collect and provide information required by the commission;

(3) the applicant's ability to adhere to the evidence-based youth development program operating and performance standards;

(4) the applicant's ability to develop broad-based community support for implementing or expanding an evidence-based youth development program, as applicable; and

(5) the applicant's history of developing and sustaining innovative, high-quality programs that meet the needs of families and communities.

Sec. 531.756. EVIDENCE-BASED YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM STANDARDS. The executive commissioner, in accordance with the goals and requirements established by this subchapter, shall adopt standards for an evidence-based youth development program awarded a grant under this subchapter.

Sec. 531.757. USE OF AWARDED GRANT FUNDS. The grant funds awarded under this subchapter may be used only to cover costs related to implementing, expanding, or operating an evidence-based youth development program, including costs related to:

(1) administering the program, including:

(A) appropriate local site selection; and

(B) required evaluation and quality monitoring;

(2) training and managing staff;

(3) paying staff salaries and expenses; and

(4) paying for program facilities and equipment.

Sec. 531.758. EVIDENCE-BASED YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM MONITORING AND EVALUATION; COMMITTEE REPORT. (a) The executive commissioner shall adopt performance indicators designed to measure a grant recipient's performance with respect to the evidence-based youth development program standards adopted by the executive commissioner under Section 531.756.

(b) The commission shall use the performance indicators to monitor and evaluate the performance of each grant recipient.

(c) Not later than December 1, 2010, the commission shall submit a report to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, or its successor, and the House Human Services Committee, or its successor, regarding the performance of each grant recipient with respect to providing evidence-based youth development program services, including:

(1) the number of low-income adolescents served by an evidence-based youth development program and, of that number, the number of adolescents who subsequently became pregnant or caused a pregnancy; and

(2) any other information required by the commission.

(d) On request, each grant recipient shall timely collect and provide data and any other information required by the commission to monitor and evaluate the recipient or to prepare the report required by this section.

Sec. 531.759. EVIDENCE-BASED YOUTH DEVELOPMENT COMPETITIVE GRANT PILOT PROGRAM FUNDING. (a) The commission shall actively seek and apply for any available federal funds or grants from any source to assist in financing the competitive grant pilot program established under this subchapter.

(b) The commission may use appropriated funds and may accept gifts, donations, and grants of money from the federal government, local governments, private corporations, or other persons to assist in financing the competitive grant pilot program.

Sec. 531.760. EXPIRATION. This subchapter expires September 1, 2011.

SECTION 2. (a) The Health and Human Services Commission shall, as soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, apply for any available funds or grants to assist in financing the evidence-based youth development competitive grant pilot program created by this Act.

(b) Not later than December 1, 2009, the Health and Human Services Commission shall establish and implement the evidence-based youth development competitive grant pilot program created by this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.