Youth Opportunity AmeriCorps FY 2015

underemployed, and not in school for at least six months prior to service. This program is specifically targeting Opportunity Youth that have been adjudicated in the juvenile justice system. This program will provide Disconnected Youth with the opportunity to participate in a national service program and provide them with meaningful mentoring while they are serving. Disconnected Youth is defined as individuals at least 17 but under 25 years old who have been adjudicated in the juvenile justice system, convicted in the criminal justice system, or have been identified as at risk of incarceration.Grant funding and member slots will be awarded to successful applicants to enroll Disconnected Youth, specifically individuals who are at least 17 but under 25 years old who have been adjudicated in the juvenile justice system, convicted in the criminal justice system, or identified as at-risk of incarceration, to serve as AmeriCorps members. Recipients will also need to enroll additional members to provide mentoring and coaching to the Disconnected Youth members throughout their service. Programs should target recruitment of two distinct types of AmeriCorps members: 1. Disconnected Youth who will be engaged in direct service to address a compelling community need. Disconnected Youth may serve as full-time or less than full-time members. 2. Individuals who will have mentoring experience and/or applicable life experience to serve as mentors for Disconnected Youth. In addition to providing direct service that addresses the community need, these AmeriCorps members will provide direct service as coaches and mentors to guide and to support the successful participation of the Disconnected Youth members in the program and position them for success after their service ends. The program may enroll individuals over age 25 in this capacity, and members may be full-time or less than full-time.Program objectives will include: • Engaging AmeriCorps members in an evidence-based or evidence-informed approach to provide a service intervention that will result in intended solutions to community problems. • Matching Disconnected Youth AmeriCorps members with the one-on-one mentoring and support services needed to establish a self-sustaining, law abiding life and successfully reintegrate into the community. • Developing and implementing comprehensive and collaborative member development strategies that address the challenges posed by offender reentry, recidivism reduction, and youth at risk of incarceration. • Stabilizing communities by reducing recidivism and reintegrating offenders into the community. Proposed programs should: • Establish and maintain a mentoring relationship between the experienced member(s) and the Disconnected Youth AmeriCorps members. • Be cognizant of and collaborate with other entities that also provide reentry or reentry-related activities. This includes engagement with probation and parole offices for partnerships, collaboration, and sharing of data and information if the members are court involved.