[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 143 (Wednesday, October 5, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 5, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
          AGRICULTURE EXTENSION SERVICE YOUTH AT RISK PROGRAM

  Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, so often we hear about Federal programs 
that fail to meet our expectations and even worse waste taxpayer 
dollars. We see these disappointing efforts highlighted on the evening 
news and on the front page of newspapers and it seems everybody knows 
about them.
  On the other hand, when a Federal program excels in the quality of 
service it provides or makes maximum use of modest Federal funding 
through matching contributions of local public and private resources, 
it's not unusual for that program to go unnoticed.
  A meritorious program that should be talked about more is Youth and 
Families at Risk funded through the Agriculture Department's Extension 
Service. Funded at $10 million in each of the past fiscal years, cash 
from State and local resources, and in kind services have doubled and 
even tripled that amount.
  The U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service has 
an office in almost every county in the country. Some extension 
offices, particularly those in poor rural areas, also have a Youth at 
Risk project coordinator who works with local schools, 4-H Programs, 
parent groups and others to provide youth development activities. Small 
grants averaging less than $100,000 are provided to support Youth at 
Risk activities on a 5-year cycle, with Federal funds gradually phasing 
out over that time period. In the sixth year the program is expected to 
be self-sustaining.
  In Mississippi, there are three outstanding programs in varying 
stages of development. One, the After School Child Care Education 
program is a collaborative effort of Alcorn State University and 
Mississippi State University and local school districts which targets 
children grades K-4 in the two rural Mississippi communities of Fayette 
and Greenville. The program is in its fifth year of funding and will 
become self-supporting next year. Children performing below their 
potential are identified by teachers, school administrators, or primary 
care givers to participate in the program after school hours. The 
program's purpose is to improve academic performance, build self-
confidence and prepare students to become more productive in later 
life. Children are divided into small groups where they receive a 
nutritious snack, help with homework, and tutoring. Parents are also 
involved through activities to help improve their parenting skills, 
support, and encourage their children's educational progress, and 
increase their own educational attainment.
  Classroom teachers report that children in the Extension Service 
After School Program come to school with a much greater understanding 
of why they are in school and bring in completed homework assignments 
much more frequently. School principals report less disruptive behavior 
and parents have noticed more self-confidence and enthusiasm for 
learning. Standardized reading tests show the children participating in 
the after school program improve reading skills by an average of one 
grade level. The program has been so successful in raising academic 
competencies of youth it has caught the attention of the local chapter 
1 program, which will continue to provide funding to sustain and expand 
these programs when extension funds complete their cycle.
  Another exciting program is an Oktibbeha County program called SOARS 
[Science Opportunities Activities and Responsibilities Series] which 
holds Super Science Days at Mississippi State University, where 
students from that county learn firsthand about science, engineering, 
and medicine from scientists themselves. Extension staff provide 
supplemental math and science instruction during the school day. Among 
the program's goals is to introduce African-American females to a wide 
range of engineering disciplines. SOARS began in 1992 as a youth-at-
risk project designed to increase math and science awareness among the 
county's fourth through sixth grade students. Partners in the program 
include the county school system, Extension office, and Project 
Brickfire, a low-income housing area. Mississippi State University 
faculty and students provide time and resources to the 265 volunteers 
serving as tutors and summer camp instructors. Local contributions 
match the Federal funding two to one.
  After the second year, test scores showed 35.8 percent of the 
students improved in math, 43.7 percent improved in science, and 48.5 
percent increased in overall SAT scores.
  The newest of Mississippi's Youth at Risk Program is Project GESTALT 
[Growth and Education for Students, Teachers, and Advocates Linked 
Together]. Students in the Jackson area public school system are 
selected to participate in this math and science oriented after school 
program. Junior and high school students are paired with elementary 
school students in after school care programs for tutoring and 
mentoring. The purpose is to enrich learning experiences for younger 
and older students. Parents receive training in academic support, 
communication, conflict resolution and are encouraged to participate in 
career education programs. After just 1 year, Project GESTALT has 
served over 1,000 students and parents. Project GESTALT is a 
collaborative effort of the Cooperative Extension Service, Jackson 
public schools, Mississippi Public Education Forum, the Federal Learn 
and Serve National and Community Service Program, and six other 
community civic organizations.
  These projects offer many opportunities for some of our Nation's most 
vulnerable youth and their families to develop leadership skills and 
acquire knowledge needed to build strong communities. I am particularly 
proud of the Mississippi programs and am pleased to highlight their 
accomplishments. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Youth at Risk 
Program is one Federal program that is truly making a difference in 
youth development.

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