SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 6433

            AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES,

                               FEBRUARY 4, 1992

Brief Description:  Creating gang risk intervention pilot programs.

SPONSORS: Senators Stratton, Erwin, Saling, Williams, Snyder, Talmadge and Skratek

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

      Signed by Senators Roach, Chairman; L. Smith, Vice Chairman; Craswell, Stratton, and Talmadge.

Staff:  Joanne Conrad (786‑7472)

Hearing Dates: February 4, 1992

BACKGROUND:

Law enforcement, local government, and the educational system are increasingly overwhelmed by efforts to cope with the social, business and criminal justice costs arising from youth gang activities.  Intensification and geographical spread of youth gang involvement threatens the future of the youths themselves.

Other jurisdictions have attempted creative statutory approaches to youth gang risk intervention, such as cultural awareness programs, targeted counselling efforts and special business and job apprenticeship mentoring efforts.  Traditional educational and counselling methods have often proven ineffective in reaching gang-involved youth.

SUMMARY:

A youth gang violence reduction program is established to develop a positive prevention and intervention pilot program for elementary and secondary school youth.  The program utilizes multi-agency cooperation, along with efforts of business and local government.

The Department of Community Development may contract with school districts, developing proposals to curtail violence and reduce drop-out rates, by using broad-based community and business support, and a "retreat" format.  The "gang risk prevention and intervention pilot program" will include the elements of counselling for targeted at-risk students, including their parents and families; exposure to positive sports and cultural activities; job and job search training; positive interaction with law enforcement; and cultural awareness retreats at facilities provided by the Division of Juvenile Rehabilitation.

The Department of Labor and Industries will provide assistance with apprenticeship programs, including application help and joint apprenticeship mentor programs, presented at cultural awareness retreats.

The Employment Security Department will provide job counselors to assist at cultural awareness retreats, providing information and testing, and coordinating the involvement of small business owners and corporate managers in a "business mentor program."

Appropriation:  $1,000,000

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested

TESTIMONY FOR:  None

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  No one