[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5250 Introduced in House (IH)]







106th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 5250

To provide assistance to mobilize and support United States communities 
 in carrying out youth development programs that assure that all youth 
 have access to programs and services that build the competencies and 
   character development needed to fully prepare the youth to become 
                     adults and effective citizens.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 21, 2000

Mr. George Miller of California (for himself, Mrs. Roukema, Mr. Frost, 
 and Mr. Gilman) introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
              the Committee on Education and the Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To provide assistance to mobilize and support United States communities 
 in carrying out youth development programs that assure that all youth 
 have access to programs and services that build the competencies and 
   character development needed to fully prepare the youth to become 
                     adults and effective citizens.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

          TITLE I--SHORT TITLE; POLICY; FINDINGS; DEFINITIONS

SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Younger Americans Act''.

SEC. 102. A NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY.

    Congress hereby resolves, in keeping with the traditional United 
States concept that youth are the Nation's most valuable resource, that 
youth of the Nation need, and it is the joint and several duty and 
responsibility of governments of the United States, of the several 
States and political subdivisions, and of Indian tribes, to assure that 
all youth have access to the full array of core resources, including--
            (1) ongoing relationships with caring adults;
            (2) safe places with structured activities;
            (3) access to services that promote healthy lifestyles, 
        including those designed to improve physical and mental health;
            (4) opportunities to acquire marketable skills and 
        competencies; and
            (5) opportunities for community service and civic 
        participation.

SEC. 103. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) young people under 18 years of age are now our most 
        impoverished age group with 1 of every 5 living in poverty, a 
        higher proportion than in 1968, with the percentage for 
        minority children being about twice as high;
            (2) more than 1 of 4 families is headed by a single parent 
        and the percentage of such families headed by such single 
        parents has risen steadily over the past few decades, rising 13 
        percent since 1990;
            (3) approximately 8,000,000 school-age children under 14 
        years of age spend time without adult supervision on a regular 
        basis;
            (4) an estimated 11,000,000 American children have no 
        health insurance and 9 out of 10 of such children have parents 
        who work;
            (5) a need exists to address the developmental needs of all 
        youth while providing more intensive support for youth in 
        communities where need is greatest;
            (6) there is a need to engage youth as active participants 
        in decision-making that affects their lives, including design, 
        development, implementation, and evaluation of youth 
        development programs at the Federal, State, and community 
        levels;
            (7) existing outcome driven youth development strategies, 
        pioneered by community-based organizations, hold real promise 
        for promoting positive behaviors and preventing youth problems;
            (8) formal evaluations of youth development programs have 
        documented significant improvements in interpersonal skills, 
        quality of peer and adult relationships, self-control, 
        cognitive competencies, commitment to schooling, and academic 
        achievement;
            (9) formal evaluations of youth development programs have 
        documented significant reductions in drug and alcohol use, 
        school misbehavior, aggressive behavior, violence, truancy, 
        high-risk sexual behavior, and smoking;
            (10) compared to American youth generally, youth 
        participating in community-based organizations are more than 26 
        percent more likely to report having received recognition for 
        good grades than American youth generally and nearly 20 percent 
        more likely to rate the likelihood of their going to college as 
        ``very high'';
            (11) a partnership between the public and private sector to 
        promote access to the full array of core resources for youth 
        who need such resources is necessary because the private sector 
        alone does not have the capacity to promote such access; and
            (12) the availability and use of Federal resources can be 
        an effective incentive to leverage broader community support to 
        enable local programs, activities and services to provide the 
        full array of developmental core resources, remove barriers to 
        access, promote program effectiveness, and facilitate 
        coordination and collaboration within the community.

SEC. 104. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Area agency on youth.--The term ``area agency on 
        youth'' means an area agency on youth designated under section 
        304(a)(2)(A).
            (2) Associate commissioner.--The term ``Associate 
        Commissioner'' means the Associate Commissioner of the Family 
        and Youth Services Bureau of the Administration on Children, 
        Youth, and Families of the Department of Health and Human 
        Services.
            (3) Community-based.--The term ``community-based'', used 
        with respect to an organization, means an organization that--
                    (A) is representative of a community or significant 
                segment of a community; and
                    (B) is engaged in providing services to the 
                community.
            (4) Community board.--The term ``community board'' means a 
        community board established in accordance with section 307(a).
            (5) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
        the Office on National Youth Policy.
            (6) Funding and coordinating agency.--The term ``funding 
        and coordinating agency'' means an organization directed by a 
        board with a wide representation from the community which 
        generates and distributes charitable health and human service 
        funds for diverse human service programs and coordinates the 
        efforts of multiple agencies as needed or called upon but does 
        not itself provide direct services to children, youth, or their 
        families.
            (7) Indian.--The term ``Indian'' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 4(d) of the Indian Self-Determination and 
        Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b(d)).
            (8) Native American organization.--The term ``Native 
        American organization'' means--
                    (A) a tribal organization, as defined in section 
                4(l) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
                Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b(l));
                    (B) a Native Hawaiian Organization, as defined in 
                section 4009(4) of the Augustus F. Hawkins-Robert T. 
                Stafford Elementary and Secondary School Improvement 
                Amendments of 1988 (20 U.S.C. 4909(4));
                    (C) an Alaska Native Village Corporation or 
                Regional Corporation as defined in or established 
                pursuant to the Alaskan Native Claims Settlement Act 
                (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.); or
                    (D) a private nonprofit organization established 
                for the purpose of serving youth who are Indians or 
                Native Hawaiians.
            (9) Native hawaiian.--The term ``Native Hawaiian'' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 4009(1) of the Augustus F. 
        Hawkins-Robert T. Stafford Elementary and Secondary School 
        Improvement Amendments of 1988 (20 U.S.C. 4909(1)).
            (10) Office.--The term ``Office'' means the Office of 
        National Youth Policy.
            (11) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Health and Human Services.
            (12) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the several 
        States of the United States, the District of Columbia, and the 
        Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
            (13) Unit of general purpose local government.--The term 
        ``unit of general purpose local government'' means--
                    (A) a political subdivision of a State whose 
                authority is general and not limited to only 1 function 
                or combination of related functions; or
                    (B) a Native American organization.
            (14) Youth.--The term ``youth'' means an individual who is 
        not younger than age 10 and not older than age 19.
            (15) Youth development organization.--The term ``youth 
        development'', used with respect to an organization, means a 
        public or private youth-serving organization with a major 
        emphasis on providing youth development programs.
            (16) Youth development programs.--The term ``youth 
        development programs'' means programs that prepare youth to 
        contribute to their communities and to meet the challenges of 
        adolescence and adulthood through a structured, progressive 
        series of activities and experiences that (in contrast to 
        deficit-based approaches that focus solely on youth problems)--
                    (A) help the youth obtain social, emotional, 
                ethical, physical, and cognitive competencies; and
                    (B) address the broader developmental resources all 
                children and youth need, such as the core resources 
                described in section 101.
            (17) Youth-serving organization.--The term ``youth-
        serving'', used with respect to an organization, means a public 
        or private organization with a primary focus on providing youth 
        development programs, or health, mental health, fitness, 
        education, workforce preparation, substance abuse prevention, 
        child welfare, psychological, parenting, recreation, teen 
        pregnancy prevention, rehabilitative, or residential services, 
        to youth.

            TITLE II--COORDINATION OF NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY

SEC. 201. OFFICE ON NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established in the Executive Office of 
the President an Office of National Youth Policy.
    (b) Administration.--The Office of National Youth Policy 
established under subsection (a) shall be administered by a Director 
who shall be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of 
the Senate.
    (c) Responsibilities.--The Director appointed under subsection (b) 
shall--
            (1) establish, in cooperation with the Associate 
        Commissioner, policies, objectives, and priorities for programs 
        funded under this Act;
            (2) serve as an effective and visible advocate for youth in 
        the Federal Government, and with other departments, agencies, 
        and instrumentalities of the Federal Government, by actively 
        reviewing and commenting on all Federal policies affecting 
        youth;
            (3) develop mechanisms to resolve administrative and 
        programmatic conflicts between Federal programs that would be 
        barriers to parents, community-based, youth-serving, and youth 
        development organizations, local government entities, education 
        entities, older adult organizations, faith-based organizations, 
        and organizations supporting youth in service related to the 
        coordination of services and funding for programs promoting 
        access to the full array of core resources described in section 
        102 of this Act; and
            (4) consult with and assist State and local governments 
        with respect to barriers they encounter related to the 
        coordination of services and funding for programs under this 
        Act.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purposes of carrying 
out this title, there are authorized to be appropriated $500,000 for 
fiscal year 2001 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 
succeeding fiscal years, to remain available until expended.

SEC. 202. COUNCIL ON NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY.

    (a) Establishment.--
            (1) In general.--There is hereby established in the Office 
        a Council on National Youth Policy (referred to in this section 
        as the ``Council'').
            (2) Composition.--
                    (A) Number.--The Council shall be composed of 12 
                members.
                    (B) Qualifications.--The President shall appoint 
                the 12 members of the Council from among--
                            (i) individuals who have expertise or 
                        experience with youth development or youth-
                        serving programs, especially those serving 
                        rural and inner-city urban youth;
                            (ii) representatives of national 
                        organizations with an interest in youth 
                        development programs;
                            (iii) representatives of business;
                            (iv) representatives of minorities; and
                            (v) parents.
                    (C) Age.--At least \1/3\ of the individuals 
                appointed shall be younger than age 21 at the time of 
                appointment.
                    (D) Limitations.--No full-time officer or employee 
                of the Federal Government may be appointed to be a 
                member of the Council.
    (b) Appointment and Terms.--
            (1) Terms.--Except as otherwise provided in this section, a 
        member of the Council shall serve for a term of 3 years, which 
        shall end on March 31 regardless of the actual date of the 
        appointment of the member.
            (2) Service.--Members of the Council shall serve without 
        regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code.
    (c) Service During Vacancies.--Any member appointed to fill a 
vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which such 
member's predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder 
of such term. Members shall be eligible for appointment and may 
continue to serve after the expiration of their terms until their 
successors have taken office.
    (d) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the Council shall not affect the 
powers of the Council, but shall be filled in the same manner as the 
original appointment was made.
    (e) Chairperson.--The President shall designate a Chairperson for 
the Council from among the members appointed to the Council.
    (f) Meetings.--The Council shall meet at the call of the 
Chairperson at least twice a year.
    (g) Duties.--The Council shall--
            (1) advise and assist the President on matters regarding 
        the core resources youth need and the capacity of youth to 
        contribute to the Nation and their communities;
            (2) directly advise the Director and the Associate 
        Commissioner on matters affecting the youth development needs 
        of youth for services and assistance under this Act;
            (3) make recommendations to the President, to the Director, 
        to the Secretary, to the Associate Commissioner, and to 
        Congress with respect to Federal policies regarding youth; and
            (4) provide public forums for discussion, publicize the 
        core resources youth need, and obtain information relating to 
        assuring all youth access to the full array of core resources 
        described in section 102, by conducting public hearings, and by 
        conducting or sponsoring conferences, workshops, and other such 
        meetings.
    (h) Travel Expenses.--Members of the Council shall not receive 
compensation for the performance of services for the Council, but shall 
be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, 
at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of 
chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes 
or regular places of business in the performance of services for the 
Council. Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, 
the Director may accept the voluntary and uncompensated services of 
members of the Council.
    (i) Reports.--Not later than March 31 of 2002 and each subsequent 
year, the Council shall prepare and submit to the President an annual 
report of the findings and recommendations of the Council. The 
President shall transmit each such report to Congress together with 
comments and recommendations.
    (j) Permanent Committee.--Section 14 of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Council.
    (k) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $250,000 for fiscal year 2001 
and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2002 through 2005.

           TITLE III--GRANTS FOR STATE AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

SEC. 301. PURPOSE.

    The purpose of this title is to encourage and assist State 
agencies, community boards, and area agencies on youth to mobilize and 
support communities in planning, implementing, and being accountable 
for strategies that link community-based organizations, local 
government, volunteer centers, schools, faith-based organizations, 
business, and other segments of the community in assuring that all 
youth have access to the full array of core resources consisting of--
            (1) ongoing relationships with caring adults;
            (2) safe places with structured activities;
            (3) access to services that promote healthy lifestyles, 
        including those designed to improve physical and mental health;
            (4) opportunities to acquire marketable skills and 
        competencies; and
            (5) opportunities for community service and civic 
        participation.

SEC. 302. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title 
$500,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, $750,000,000 for fiscal year 2002, 
$1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2003, $1,500,000,000 for fiscal year 
2004, and $2,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2005.

SEC. 303. ALLOTMENTS TO STATES.

    (a) Reservations.--From sums appropriated under section 302 for 
each fiscal year, the Associate Commissioner shall reserve--
            (1) 95 percent of the sums for allotments to States to 
        enable the States to make allocations to area agencies on 
        youth;
            (2) 1 percent of the sums for grants to Native American 
        organizations to carry out activities consistent with the 
        objectives of this title;
            (3) 1 percent of the sums for grants to outlying areas to 
        carry out activities consistent with the objectives of this 
        title; and
            (4) 3 percent of the sums for Federal discretionary 
        programs aimed at demonstrating ways to respond to the special 
        developmental needs of youth--
                    (A) in correctional facilities and other out-of-
                home residential settings;
                    (B) in areas with high concentrations of poverty;
                    (C) in rural areas; and
                    (D) in situations where youth are at higher risk 
                due to abuse, neglect, disconnection from family, 
                disconnection from school, or another community risk 
                factor.
    (b) Use of Funds.--For each fiscal year for which a State receives 
a State allotment, the State shall ensure that funds shall be used for 
the purpose of conducting community-based youth development programs 
that--
            (1) recognize the primary role of the family in positive 
        youth development in order to strengthen families;
            (2) promote the involvement of youth (including program 
        participants), parents, and other community members in the 
        planning and implementation of the programs, activities, and 
        services;
            (3) coordinate services with other youth and family 
        services in the community;
            (4) eliminate barriers, such as transportation, cost, and 
        service delivery location to the access of core youth 
        development services;
            (5) provide, directly or through written contract, a broad 
        variety of accessible programs, activities, and services for 
        youth that are designed to assist youth in acquiring skills and 
        competencies necessary to make a successful transition from 
        childhood to adulthood;
            (6) incorporate activities that foster relationships 
        between positive adult role models and youth, provide age-
        appropriate activities, engage youth in, and promote, positive 
        youth development, including activities such as--
                    (A) youth clubs, character development activities, 
                mentoring, community service, leadership development, 
                recreation, literacy and educational tutoring;
                    (B) sports, workforce readiness, peer counseling, 
                fine and performing arts; and
                    (C) camping and environmental education, cultural 
                enrichment, risk avoidance programs, academic 
                enrichment, and participant-defined special interest 
                groups, courses, or club; and
            (7) employ strong outreach efforts to engage the 
        participation of a wide range of youth, families, and service 
        providers.
    (c) Allotments.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), from 
        sums reserved under subsection (a)(1), the Associate 
        Commissioner shall allot to each State the sum (referred to in 
        this title as the ``State allotment'') of--
                    (A) an amount that bears the same relation to \1/2\ 
                of the reserved sums as the number of individuals who 
                are not younger than age 10 and not older than age 19 
                in the State bears to the number of such individuals in 
                all the States; and
                    (B) an amount that bears the same relation to \1/2\ 
                of the reserved sums as the number of youth who are 
                receiving free or reduced price lunches under the 
                school lunch program established under the Richard B. 
                Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et 
                seq.) in the State bears to the number of such youth in 
                all the States.
            (2) State minimum.--No State shall be allotted less than 
        0.40 percent of the reserved sums for a fiscal year.
            (3) Determinations.--For purposes of this subsection, the 
        number of individuals in the State who are not younger than age 
        10 and not older than age 19 in any State and in all the 
        States, and the number of youth who are receiving free or 
        reduced price lunches under the school lunch program 
established under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act in 
any State and in all the States, shall be determined by the Associate 
Commissioner on the basis of the most recent data available from the 
Bureau of the Census, and other reliable demographic data satisfactory 
to the Associate Commissioner.
    (d) Reallotments.--Whenever the Associate Commissioner determines 
that any amount allotted to a State for a fiscal year under this 
section will not be used by such State for carrying out the purpose for 
which the allotment was made, the Associate Commissioner shall make 
such amount available for carrying out such purpose to 1 or more other 
States to the extent the Associate Commissioner determines that such 
other States will be able to use such amount for carrying out such 
purpose.
    (e) Withholding.--If the Associate Commissioner finds that any 
State has failed to meet the State plan requirements of section 305 or 
the Associate Commissioner does not approve the in-State funding 
formula required under section 306(b), the Associate Commissioner shall 
withhold the State allotment from such State. The Associate 
Commissioner shall disburse the funds withheld directly to any entity 
that is a public or private institution, organization, or agency, or 
unit of general local government of such State that submits an approved 
plan described in section 308, if the plan includes an agreement that 
the entity will make available (directly or through donations from 
public or private entities) non-Federal contributions, in cash or in 
kind, in an amount equal to a percentage determined for the State of 
the funds.

SEC. 304. STATE AGENCIES AND PLANNING AND MOBILIZATION AREAS.

    (a) State Agencies.--In order for a State to be eligible to receive 
a State allotment under this title--
            (1) the State shall, in accordance with regulations issued 
        by the Associate Commissioner, designate a State agency as the 
        sole State agency to--
                    (A) develop a State plan to be submitted to the 
                Associate Commissioner for approval pursuant to section 
                305;
                    (B) administer the plan in the State;
                    (C) be primarily responsible for the planning, 
                policy development, administration, coordination, 
                priority setting, and evaluation of all State 
                activities related to the objectives of this Act;
                    (D) serve as an effective and visible advocate for 
                youth by reviewing and commenting on all State plans, 
                budgets, and policies that affect youth; and
                    (E) divide the State into distinct planning and 
                mobilization areas, after considering the views offered 
                by units of general purpose local government and 
                appropriate public or private agencies and 
                organizations in the State, in accordance with 
                regulations issued by the Associate Commissioner; and
            (2) the State agency shall--
                    (A) designate for each such area, after 
                consideration of the views offered by the units of 
                general local government and by agencies and 
                organizations in such areas, a public or private 
                nonprofit agency or organization to serve as the area 
                agency on youth for such area;
                    (B) provide assurances that the State agency will 
                solicit and take into account, with regard to general 
                policy related to the development and the 
                administration of the State plan for any fiscal year, 
                the views of youth who are the recipients of services 
                provided for in the plan;
                    (C) in accordance with guidelines issued by the 
                Associate Commissioner, make allocations to designated 
                area agencies on youth with mobilization and planning 
                areas pursuant to section 306(b);
                    (D) provide reasonable assurances that Federal 
                funds made available under this title for the State for 
                any period will be used to supplement, and not 
                supplant, the State, local, and other funds that would 
                in the absence of such Federal funds be made available 
                for the programs, services, and activities described in 
                this title;
                    (E) coordinate the activities of the State agency 
                with other State agencies and offices, including--
                            (i) State Commissions on National and 
                        Community Service established under section 178 
                        of the National and Community Service Act of 
                        1990 (42 U.S.C. 12638);
                            (ii) entities carrying out programs under 
                        the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 
                        5701 et seq.) and other programs under the 
                        Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act 
                        of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5601 et seq.);
                            (iii) entities carrying out independent 
                        living programs;
                            (iv) entities carrying out foster care 
                        programs;
                            (v) youth councils established under 
                        section 117(h) of the Workforce Investment Act 
                        of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2832(h)); and
                            (vi) entities carrying out 21st Century 
                        Community Learning Centers under part I of 
                        title X of the Elementary and Secondary 
                        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 8241 et seq.); 
                        and
                    (F) compile reports from area agencies on youth, 
                including outcome data and evaluation information 
                regarding programs funded under this title, and provide 
                an annual report to the Associate Commissioner, and 
                provide a copy of such report to the Director.
    (b) Planning and Mobilization Areas.--
            (1) Unit of general purpose local government.--
                    (A) Criteria.--In carrying out subsection (a)(1), 
                the State agency may designate as a planning and 
                mobilization area any unit of general purpose local 
                government that has a population of 100,000 or more. In 
                particular, the State agency may designate such a unit 
                as a planning and mobilization area if the unit has 
                been engaged in youth development program planning and 
                mobilization, such as a ``community of promise'' 
                coordinated by America's Promise: the Alliance for 
                Youth.
                    (B) Hearing.--In any case in which a unit of 
                general local government applies to the State agency to 
                be designated as a planning and mobilization area under 
                this paragraph, the State agency shall, upon request, 
                provide an opportunity for a hearing to such unit of 
                general purpose local government.
            (2) Region.--The State agency may designate as a planning 
        and mobilization area under subsection (a)(1) any region in the 
        State that includes 1 or more units of general purpose local 
        government if the State agency determines that the designation 
        of such a regional planning and mobilization area is necessary 
        for, and will enhance, the effective administration of the 
        programs authorized by this title.
            (3) Additional areas.--The State agency may include in any 
        planning and mobilization area designated under subsection 
        (a)(1) such additional areas adjacent to a unit of general 
        purpose local government or as the State agency determines to 
        be necessary for and will enhance the effective administration 
        of the programs authorized by this title.
            (4) Indian reservations.--The State agency, in carrying out 
        subsection (a)(1), shall to the extent practicable include all 
        portions of an Indian reservation in a single planning and 
        mobilization area.

SEC. 305. STATE PLANS.

    (a) In General.--To be eligible to receive a State allotment under 
this title, a State shall submit to the Associate Commissioner a State 
plan, for a 2-, 3-, or 4-year period determined by the State agency, at 
such time, in such manner, and meeting such criteria as the Associate 
Commissioner may by regulation prescribe, and shall make such annual 
revisions as may be necessary to the plan.
    (b) Contents.--Each such State plan shall contain assurances that 
the plan is based on area plans developed under section 308 by area 
agencies on youth in the State and that the State has prepared and 
distributed a uniform format for use by area agencies on youth in 
developing the area plans.

SEC. 306. DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS FOR STATE ACTIVITIES AND LOCAL 
              ALLOCATIONS.

    (a) In General.--From a State allotment made under this title for 
any fiscal year--
            (1)(A) the State agency may use such amount as the State 
        agency determines to be appropriate, but not more than 7 
        percent, for the purposes of subparagraphs (B) and (C);
            (B) the State agency may use such amount as the State 
        agency determines to be appropriate, but not more than 4 
        percent of the State allotment, for paying the cost of--
                    (i) reviewing area plans and distributing funds to 
                area agencies on youth; and
                    (ii) assisting community boards and area agencies 
                on youth in carrying out activities under this title; 
                and
            (C) the State agency may use such amount as the State 
        agency determines to be appropriate, but not less than 3 
        percent and not more than 7 percent of the State allotment, for 
        making State discretionary grants to respond to the special 
        developmental needs of youth--
                    (i) in correctional facilities and other out-of-
                home residential settings;
                    (ii) in areas with high concentrations of poverty;
                    (iii) in rural areas; and
                    (iv) in situations where youth are at greater risk 
                due to abuse, neglect, disconnection from family, 
                disconnection from school, or another community risk 
                factor; and
            (2) the State agency shall use the remainder of such 
        allotment to make allocations under subsection (b) to area 
        agencies on youth associated with planning and mobilization 
        areas, to pay for the cost of programs under this title that 
        are specified in area plans that--
                    (A) are developed through a comprehensive and 
                coordinated system of planning;
                    (B) have been approved by the community board; and
                    (C) have been approved by the State agency.
    (b) Allocations.--From the remainder of the State allotment 
described in subsection (a)(2), the State agency, using the best 
available data, shall allocate for each planning and mobilization area 
in the State--
            (1) an amount that bears the same relation to \1/2\ of the 
        remainder as the number of individuals who are not younger than 
age 10 and not older than age 19 in the planning and mobilization area 
bears to the number of such individuals in the State; and
            (2) an amount that bears the same relation to \1/2\ of the 
        remainder as the number of youth who are receiving free or 
        reduced price lunches under the school lunch program 
        established under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch 
        Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) in the planning and mobilization 
        area bears to the number of such youth in the State.
    (c) Non-federal share.--A State that uses funds under this title 
for the purposes of section 306(a)(1)(B) shall match such sums so used 
on a dollar-for-dollar basis in cash.

SEC. 307. COMMUNITY BOARDS AND AREA AGENCIES ON YOUTH.

    (a) Community Board.--
            (1) Selection.--
                    (A) Local governments and funding and coordinating 
                agencies.--Except as otherwise provided in this 
                paragraph, in order to receive funds from a State 
                pursuant to this title, a planning and mobilization 
                area shall have a community board appointed and 
                convened jointly by the chief executive officer of a 
                local funding and coordinating agency in the area and 
                the chief executive officers of units of general local 
                government in the area.
                    (B) Private agencies and local governments.--In the 
                event that a local funding and coordinating agency is 
                not represented in the planning and mobilization area, 
                or the chief executive officer of a local funding and 
                coordinating agency in the area is unwilling or unable 
                to participate in jointly appointing and convening the 
                community board, the State agency, after consideration 
                of the views offered by the units of general local 
                government and by nonprofit agencies and organizations 
                in such area, shall designate a private nonprofit 
                agency or organization in the area to appoint and 
                convene the community board jointly with the chief 
                executive officers of units of general local government 
                in the area.
                    (C) Local funding and coordinating agencies and 
                public entities.--In the event that a chief executive 
                officer of a unit of general local government in the 
                planning and mobilization area is unwilling or unable 
                to participate in jointly appointing and convening the 
                community board, the State agency, after consideration 
                of the views offered by the units of general local 
                government and by youth-serving agencies and 
                organizations in such area, shall designate an 
                executive official of a public entity in the area to 
                appoint and convene the community board jointly with 
                the chief executive officer of a local funding and 
                coordinating agency.
                    (D) Existing entity.--An existing entity in the 
                planning and mobilization area may serve as the 
                community board if--
                            (i) such entity's membership meets the 
                        requirements for a community board or is 
                        adapted to meet such requirements;
                            (ii) such entity's membership was appointed 
                        by the chief executive officer of a unit of 
                        general local government in the area;
                            (iii) such entity is approved by the State 
                        agency; and
                            (iv) such entity is approved by the chief 
                        executive officer of a local funding and 
                        coordinating agency, or by the chief executive 
                        officer of a private nonprofit agency or 
                        organization designated according to 
                        subparagraph (B) in the event that a local 
                        funding and coordinating agency is not 
                        represented in the area or is unwilling or 
                        unable to consider the approval of the entity.
            (2) Composition.--A community board shall consist of an 
        equal number of local representatives from each of the 
        following 3 groups:
                    (A) A group comprised of individuals, including 
                minority individuals, under age 21 at the time of their 
                appointment.
                    (B) A group comprised of representatives of--
                            (i) private youth-serving and youth 
                        development organizations (in existence as of 
                        the date of appointment of the representatives 
                        to the board);
                            (ii) public youth-serving and youth 
                        development organizations; and
                            (iii) organizations supporting youth in 
                        service.
                    (C) A group comprised of representatives of--
                            (i) local elected officials;
                            (ii) educational entities, including local, 
                        middle, and secondary schools, community 
                        colleges, colleges, and universities;
                            (iii) volunteer centers;
                            (iv) philanthropic organizations, including 
                        community foundations;
                            (v) businesses and employee organizations;
                            (vi) faith-based organizations;
                            (vii) health and mental health agencies; 
                        and
                            (viii) parents and grandparents.
            (3) Chairperson.--After being appointed and convened, the 
        community board shall elect a chairperson from among its 
        membership.
            (4) Responsibilities.--Each community board in each 
        planning and mobilization area shall have responsibility for 
        supervising the preparation, submission, and implementation of 
        the area plan described in section 308, including the approval 
        of grants and contracts funded pursuant to this title within 
        the planning and mobilization area.
    (b) Area Agency on Youth.--An area agency on youth--
            (1) shall serve as the fiscal agent for a planning and 
        mobilization area;
            (2) shall be under the supervision of the community board 
        for the planning and mobilization area with regard to 
        activities conducted pursuant to this title;
            (3) shall provide an assurance to the State agency, that is 
        determined to be adequate by the State agency, that such area 
        agency on youth will have the ability to develop an area plan 
        for the planning and mobilization area and to carry out, either 
        directly or indirectly through contractual or other 
        arrangements, a youth development program in accordance with 
        such plan; and
            (4) shall compile reports from programs, services, and 
        activities approved by the community board for funding under 
        this Act, including outcome data and evaluation information 
        regarding program accomplishments, and provide an annual report 
        to the State agency.
    (c) Community Mobilization Expenses.--An area agency on youth may 
use not more than 10 percent of the allocation made to the agency under 
this title for expenses related to community mobilization, including 
generating additional commitments of cash and in-kind resources, 
administration, planning, monitoring, and evaluation.

SEC. 308. AREA PLANS.

    (a) In General.--Each area agency on youth for a planning and 
mobilization area shall, in order to be approved by the State agency 
and receive an allocation under this title, develop, prepare, and 
submit to the State agency an area plan, approved by the community 
board, for the planning and mobilization area. Such plan shall be for a 
2-, 3-, or 4-year period determined by the State agency, with such 
annual revisions as may be necessary. Each such plan shall be based 
upon a uniform format for area plans in the State prepared in 
accordance with section 305(b).
    (b) Contents.--Each such plan shall--
            (1) provide specific outcome objectives for youth 
        development programs, services, and activities to be carried 
        out in the planning and mobilization area, based on an 
        assessment of needs and resources, sufficient to assure that 
        all youth in the area have access through a comprehensive and 
        coordinated system to the full array of core resources that 
        consist of--
                    (A) ongoing relationships with caring adults;
                    (B) safe places with structured activities;
                    (C) access to services that promote healthy 
                lifestyles, including those designed to improve 
                physical and mental health;
                    (D) opportunities to acquire marketable skills and 
                competencies; and
                    (E) opportunities for community service and civic 
                participation;
            (2) provide an assurance that, in awarding grants and 
        contracts to entities to implement the area plan to provide 
        youth with access to core resources described in paragraph (1) 
        through youth development programs, the agency will give 
        priority to entities as described in section 310(b);
            (3) provide that not less than 30 percent of the funds 
        allocated for the planning and mobilization area will be used 
        for youth development programs that respond to the special 
        developmental needs of youth--
                    (A) in correctional facilities and other out-of-
                home residential settings;
                    (B) in areas with high concentrations of poverty;
                    (C) in rural areas; and
                    (D) in situations where youth are at higher risk 
                due to abuse, neglect, disconnection from family, 
                disconnection from school, or another community risk 
                factor;
            (4) provide assurances that youth engaged in programs 
        carried out under the area plan will be treated equitably;
            (5) contain strategies for mobilizing and coordinating 
        community resources to meet the outcome objectives;
            (6) describe activities for which funds made available 
        through the allocation will be used to fill gaps between unmet 
        needs and available resources;
            (7) describe the inclusive process used by the area agency 
        on youth to engage all segments of the communities in the 
        planning and mobilization area in developing the area plan;
            (8) provide measures of program effectiveness to be used in 
        evaluating the progress of the programs, services, and 
        activities approved by the community board in the area in 
        assuring access for all youth to the full array of core 
        resources described in paragraph (1), including specific 
        measures for providing access to such resources for youth 
        living in areas with high concentrations of poverty;
            (9) describe how local requirements for providing matching 
        funds will be achieved, how resources will be leveraged, and 
        the uses to which matching funds and leveraged resources will 
        be applied, in carrying out the area plan;
            (10) provide for the establishment and maintenance of 
        outreach sufficient to ensure that youth and their families in 
        the planning and mobilization area are aware of programs 
        providing access to the core resources described in paragraph 
        (1);
            (11) provide that the area agency on youth, under the 
        supervision of the community board, will--
                    (A) conduct periodic evaluations of, and public 
                hearings on, activities carried out under the area 
                plan;
                    (B) furnish technical assistance to entities within 
                the planning and mobilization area carrying out 
                programs under this title;
                    (C) establish effective and efficient procedures 
                for the coordination of--
                            (i) entities carrying out programs under 
                        this title within the planning and mobilization 
                        area; and
                            (ii) entities carrying out other Federal 
                        programs for youth within the planning and 
                        mobilization area;
                    (D) conduct outreach, to identify youth in the area 
                and inform the youth of the availability of resources 
                under this Act; and
                    (E) take into account in connection with matters of 
                general policy arising in the development and 
                administration of the area plan, the views of youth who 
                have participated in programs pursuant to the plan; and
            (12) provide for the utilization of entities carrying out 
        volunteer service centers and organizations supporting youth in 
        service in the area to--
                    (A) encourage and enlist the services of local 
                volunteer groups to provide assistance and services 
                appropriate to the unique developmental needs of youth 
                in the planning and mobilization area;
                    (B) encourage, organize, and promote youth to serve 
                as volunteers to communities in the area; and
                    (C) promote recognition of the contribution made by 
                younger volunteers to programs administered in the 
                planning and mobilization area.

SEC. 309. GRANTS AND CONTRACTS TO ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.

    (a) Request for Proposals.--In implementing an area plan, once the 
plan has been submitted to and approved by the State agency, an area 
agency on youth, under the supervision of a community board, shall 
issue a request for proposals to award grants and contracts to eligible 
entities to carry out youth development programs under the plan.
    (b) Grants and Contracts.--The area agency on youth, under the 
supervision of the community board, shall use the funds made available 
through the allocation made to the agency under this title to award 
grants on a competitive basis and contracts to eligible entities to pay 
for the Federal share of the cost of carrying out the youth development 
programs. From funds made available to the area agency on youth, not 
more than 50 percent may be awarded to a single grantee except if such 
grantee is a collaboration as described in section 310(a)(1) or 
approved by the Assistant Secretary.
    (c) Period.--The area agency on youth may award such a grant or 
contract for a period of not more than 4 years. The area agency on 
youth, under the supervision of the community board and after reviewing 
the reports and evaluation information pursuant to section 307(b)(4) of 
this Act, may terminate the funding made available through such grant 
or contract during such grant or contract period for a program if the 
program fails to comply with the requirements of this Act or if 
insufficient Federal funds are appropriated under section 302 to permit 
continuation of funding.
    (d) Federal Share.--
            (1) In general.--The Federal share of the cost of carrying 
        out a program described in this section shall be--
                    (A) 80 percent for the first and second year for 
                which the program receives funding under this section;
                    (B) 70 percent for the third such year;
                    (C) 60 percent for the fourth year; and
                    (D) 50 percent for any subsequent year.
            (2) Non-federal share.--An entity that receives a grant or 
        contract under this section may provide for the non-Federal 
        share of the cost from non-Federal sources (which may include 
        State or local public sources) in cash or in kind, fairly 
        evaluated, including facilities, equipment, or services.
            (3) Adjustments.--A State agency and the Associate 
        Commissioner may jointly adjust the Federal share of the cost 
        that applies to an entity that receives a grant or contract 
        under this section from an area agency on youth, in the event 
        that the agency demonstrates significant economic need 
        sufficient to cause difficulties in area plan implementation.

SEC. 310. ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.

    (a) In General.--To be eligible to receive a grant or contract 
under section 309, an entity shall be--
            (1) a consortium of community-based youth-serving or youth 
        development organizations, public agencies, health and mental 
        health agencies, education entities including community 
        colleges, colleges, and universities, volunteer centers, faith-
        based organizations, older adult organizations, or 
        organizations supporting youth in service; or
            (2) a community-based public or private youth-serving or 
        youth development organization.
    (b) Priority.--In awarding grants and contracts under section 309, 
an area agency on youth shall give priority to--
            (1) entities that carry out programs in the existing health 
        and human service infrastructure (as of the date of submission 
        of the area plan) that use proven methods and materials 
        supported by evaluation and have proven records of effective 
        service delivery and sustainability; and
            (2) entities that submit applications under section 311 
        that--
                    (A) evidence collaboration among community agencies 
                in providing services under an area plan; and
                    (B) are outcome driven.
    (c) Administrative Expenses.--An entity that receives a grant or 
contract under section 309 may use up to 5 percent of the funds 
received through the grant or contract for the cost of administrative 
expenses.
    (d) Limitation.--A for-profit entity that receives a grant or 
contract under section 309 may not use funds made available through the 
grant or contract for the purposes of generating additional profits.

SEC. 311. APPLICATIONS.

    To be eligible to receive a grant or contract under section 309 to 
carry out youth development programs under an area plan, an entity 
shall submit an application to the area agency on youth for the area at 
such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the area 
agency on youth, under the direction of the community board, and the 
appropriate State agency, may reasonably require.

SEC. 312. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.

    (a) Access.--An entity that receives a grant or contract to carry 
out a program under section 309 shall implement a program that 
promotes, either directly, through contract, or indirectly through 
collaboration with other community entities, access to the full array 
of core resources specified in section 101.
    (b) Activities.--An entity that receives a grant or contract to 
carry out a program under section 309 may include among eligible 
activities, which are part of an effort to provide access to the full 
array of core resources specified in section 101--
            (1) character development and ethical enrichment 
        activities;
            (2) mentoring activities, including one-to-one relationship 
        building and tutoring;
            (3) provision and support of community youth centers and 
        clubs;
            (4) nonschool hours, weekend, and summer programs and 
        camps;
            (5) sports, recreation, and other activities promoting 
        physical fitness and teamwork;
            (6) services that promote health and healthy development 
        and behavior on the part of youth, including risk avoidance 
        programs;
            (7) academic enrichment, peer counseling and teaching, and 
        literacy;
            (8) camping and environmental education;
            (9) cultural enrichment, including music, fine and 
        performing arts;
            (10) workforce preparation, youth entrepreneurship, and 
        technological and vocational skill building, including computer 
        skills;
            (11) opportunities for community service aimed at involving 
        youth in providing the full array of core resources described 
        in section 101 to other youth, including opportunities provided 
        in conjunction with activities being performed by entities 
        under the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S. 
        C. 12501 et seq.);
            (12) opportunities that engage youth in civic participation 
        and as partners in decision-making, especially opportunities 
        with respect to programs and strategies that seek to offer 
        access to the full array of core resources described in section 
        102;
            (13) special interest groups or courses, including video 
        production, cooking, gardening, pet care, photography, and 
        other youth-identified interests;
            (14) efforts focused on building the capacity of community-
        based youth workers, utilizing community colleges, colleges, 
        and universities;
            (15) public and private youth led programs, including such 
        programs provided by youth-serving or youth development 
        organizations;
            (16) transportation services to foster the participation of 
        youth in youth development programs in the community;
            (17) subsidies for youth from families that meet the income 
        eligibility guidelines for a free or reduced price lunch under 
        section 9(b) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch 
        Act (42 U.S.C. 1758(b)), if the provision of the subsidy allows 
        the youth to fully participate in youth development programs 
        that are part of a strategy to promote access to the full array 
        of core-resources described in section 102 of this Act;
            (18) training or group counseling to assist youth by State 
        certified counselors, psychologists, social workers, or other 
        State licensed or certified mental health professionals who are 
        qualified under State law to provide such services to children 
        and adolescents; and
            (19) referrals to State certified counselors, 
        psychologists, social workers, or other State licensed or 
        certified mental health professionals or health professionals 
        qualified under State law to provide such services to children 
        and adolescents.

              TITLE IV--TRAINING, RESEARCH, AND EVALUATION

SEC. 401. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.

    The purpose of this title is to expand the Nation's knowledge and 
understanding of youth, youth development programs, and community 
mobilization aimed at providing all youth with access to the full array 
of core resources described in section 102 by--
            (1) assisting States in evaluating the effectiveness of 
        activities implemented under this Act, including the outcomes 
        resulting from the activities;
            (2) placing priority on the education and training of 
        personnel, with respect to youth development programs, to work 
        with youth, with a special emphasis on younger minority 
        individuals and younger low-income individuals;
            (3) conducting research and identifying effective practices 
        directly related to the field of youth development; and
            (4) disseminating information acquired through such 
        research.

SEC. 402. GRANTS AND CONTRACTS.

    (a) In General.--The Assistant Secretary may award grants and 
contracts to eligible entities to carry out evaluation, education and 
training, research, and dissemination activities described in this 
section.
    (b) Evaluation.--
            (1) System.--The Associate Commissioner shall develop and 
        establish a system for evaluating the effectiveness of 
        activities implemented under this Act, including mechanisms for 
        determining and measuring programmatic outcomes resulting from 
        those activities.
            (2) Distribution.--In awarding grants and contracts under 
        subsection (a), the Assistant Secretary shall use 50 percent of 
        the funds appropriated for carrying out this section for an 
        equitable distribution among the States to allow State agencies 
        to be responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of the 
        activities implemented in the State under this Act.
    (c) Education and Training.--The Associate Commissioner shall 
develop and establish a system for providing education and training of 
personnel of States, area agencies on youth, and community boards to 
increase their capacity to work with youth, with a special emphasis on 
younger minority individuals and younger low-income individuals, in 
carrying out quality youth development programs under this Act.
    (d) Impact Evaluation.--
            (1) Biennial evaluation.--The Associate Commissioner, in 
        consultation with the Director and the National Council on 
        Youth Policy, shall conduct an independent biennial evaluation 
        of the impact of programs assisted under this Act and of other 
        recent and new initiatives to promote positive youth 
        development. The evaluation shall report on--
                    (A) whether funded programs, services, and 
                activities--
                            (i) provided a thorough assessment of local 
                        resources and barriers to access the full array 
                        of developmental core resources;
                            (ii) used objective data and the knowledge 
                        of a wide range of community members;
                            (iii) developed measurable goals and 
                        objectives; and
                            (iv) implemented research-based programs 
                        that have been shown to be effective and meet 
                        identified needs; and
                            (v) conducted periodic program evaluations 
                        to assess progress made towards achieving 
                        program goals and objectives and whether they 
                        used evaluations to improve program goals, 
                        objectives and activities;
                    (B) whether funded programs, services, and 
                activities have been designed and implemented in a 
                manner that specifically targets, if relevant to the 
                program--
                            (i) research-based variables that are 
                        predictive of healthy adolescent development;
                            (ii) risk factors that are predictive of an 
                        increased likelihood that young people will use 
                        drugs, alcohol or tobacco or engage in violence 
                        or drop out of school; or
                            (iii) protective factors, buffers, or 
                        assets that are known to protect youth from 
                        exposure to risk, either by reducing the 
                        exposure to risk factors or by changing the way 
                        the young person responds to risk, and to 
                        increase the likelihood of positive youth 
                        development;
                    (C) whether funded programs, services, and 
                activities have appreciably reduced individual risk-
                taking behavior and community risk factors and 
                increased either individual or community protective 
                factors; and
                    (D) whether funded programs, services, and 
                activities have conducted effective youth and parent 
                involvement.
            (2) Biennial report.--Not later than January 1, 2003, and 
        every 2 years thereafter, the Associate Commissioner shall 
        submit to the President and Congress a report on the findings 
        of the evaluation conducted under paragraph (1) together with 
        the data available from other sources on the well being of 
        adolescents.
    (e) Dissemination.--The Associate Commissioner shall develop a 
system to facilitate the dissemination of information acquired through 
the research to States, area agencies on youth, community boards, and 
the public about successful and promising strategies for providing all 
youth with the full array of core resources specified in section 101.

SEC. 403. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

     There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title 
$7,000,000 for fiscal year 2001 and such sums as may be necessary for 
each of fiscal years 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005.
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