News from the Senate Majority

Alaska State Legislature

Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-4582
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540

For Immediate Release: January 29, 1997 Contact: Senator Randy Phillips, 907/465-4949

Youth Corps Challenge Program Resolution Passes Senate

Asks Federal Government to Continue Financial Support

Juneau -- Asking the federal government to continue its financial support of the Alaska National Guard Youth Corps Challenge Program is the focus of Senator Randy Phillips’ Senate Joint Resolution 7 that passed the Senate Wednesday with unanimous support.

Senator Phillips (R-Eagle River) noted the Challege Program has transformed many of Alaska’s troubled kids into productive citizens. The success rate is high with 85% of the kids who graduate from the Challenge Program continuing their education in school or working within twelve months after graduation.

"Working to maintain this program is a priority for members of the Republican-led Majority who have made creating "Safe Neighborhoods" a part of their "Commitment to Alaska," said Phillips. "Because the challenge program will help us to prevent, rather than pay for the price of crime, it is our intention to do everything possible to convince the federal government the program is worthy of ongoing support."

Senator Phillips explained the Challenge Program has been funded 100% by the federal government since its inception four years ago. Unfortunately, the funding is scheduled to end on September 30, 1997.

"I hope my resolution and a $250,000 state appropriation for the program included in the FY98 budget will convince Congress of its importance to our youth," Phillips said.

Senator Phillips noted the Challenge Program is a 17.5 month intervention/prevention program for teenagers who are statistically "at risk" to become unemployed or potential criminals of the future. The program consists of two parts -- a 22 week military residential phase at Camp Carroll on Fort Richardson and a 12 month post-residential phase.

###

Broadcast note: Please call 800-478-6540 to hear today’s radio actualities.