Appropriates $2,600,000 for pilot project of three youth services centers, to the office of youth services.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Findings and purpose. The legislature finds that the office of youth services was created in 1989 to provide a continuum of services for Hawaii's at-risk youth. Section 352D-7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, specifies that youth service centers be created with a primary objective of delinquency prevention. The youth service center's mission is to provide a safe environment and a central focus where all youth, particularly those over-represented in the juvenile justice system can develop competencies that foster resiliency and enable them to achieve a successful transition to young adulthood. The core youth service center services include community-based outreach, individualized services, positive alternative activities, educational development activities and mentoring. At present, the State does not have a working model of a full service youth service center. The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the development and implementation of full service centers within three distinct communities: Hilo on the Big Island, and Palolo and Waipahu on Oahu.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $2,600,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002, for a pilot project full service youth service centers at Hilo, Palolo, and Waipahu.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the office of youth services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.