A legislative proposal that would consolidate 21 existing categorical prevention programs into a single $900 million block grant for youth development and delinquency prevention has gained momentum in Congress. At a luncheon on the Capitol earlier this month, a bipartisan panel of congressmen and senators addressed more than 200 supporters of the legislation.
The measure, the Youth Development Community Block Grant, was first introduced by Senator Nancy Landon Kassebaum (R-Kan.) four years ago. It is now given a 50/50 chance for passage during the remaining days of the 104th Congress.
Senator Kassenbaum has announced that she will retire from the Senate when her term expires at the end of this year, but she has identified the measure as one of her three highest priorities.
One possible scenario that could hasten passage of the legislation in the current session is to complete action in the Senate, where the bill has already been reported out of committee, and to then seek expedited handling in the House. Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) has reportedly expressed interest in the bill.
A possible problem with the legislation is that a few of the 21 programs that would be eliminated and folded into the block grant have strong constituencies and would prefer their own separate funding and specialized planning focus.
Examples of these are the Drug-Free and Safe Schools and Communities Program, the Local Crime Prevention Block Grant, and Title V of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act.
Although the legislation repeals some federal initiatives, a “grandfather” clause in the bill permits communities to continue funding for any local program currently receiving funding from the repealed programs. While the federal administration and legislation will be terminated, the programs themselves can continue to operate at the community level.
Blockgrant funds will go directly to a county-wide Youth Development Board. The funds would be allocated by formula based on a county’s total youth population, the percentage of the population living in poverty, and recent increases in juvenile crime.
“For students of local government Senator Kassebaum’s bill represents an important development in collaborative decision making at the community level says Commissioner Randy Franke, NACo’s immediate past president, who helped organize NACo’s Children Initiative. “It also reflects a serious attempt to transform a highly fragmented categorical approach into a cohesive, collaborative community strategy to support children and their families. NACo strongly supports the legislation.”
At NACo’s Legislative Conference, a resolution of support was overwhelmingly approved by the NACo steering committees and the NACo Board of Directors.
On a smaller scale, in 1992, NACo was successful in developing a similar prevention strategy in the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (Title V). The new title also required a local collaborative process as a precondition for receiving federal funds. Title V was funded at $13 million in FY94, $20 million in FY95 and $20 million in FY96.
The Youth Development Community Block Grant builds and improves upon Title V by requiring collaborative decision making at the county level. This requirement ensures that all relevant interests, including county health and human service programs are represented at the table. (Under Title V, counties or cities can independently apply for funds, although in most cases the county has been selected as the grant recipient.)
Appointment to the local Youth Development Board reflects this collaborative process with input from the county; the city: and representatives from the local youth development, school and drug abuse prevention communities.
Instead of cities, counties and school boards pursuing independent objectives, the legislation establishes a community-driven, collaborative board that is accountable to the community.
All block grant-funded programs must address community youth development priorities as defined by the local board; recognize the role of the family in youth development; involve parents, youth and community leaders in the program; and coordinate services with other programs in the community.
Counties spend billions of dollars at the back end of the system — stepping in to help children and youth once they are in crisis or in trouble. NACo has long recognized that the greatest need is to invest more heavily at the front end to prevent children from being in crisis in the first place.
“Senator Kassebaum’s bill is important legislation — aside from funding one county-wide board rather than a number of separate and discreet entities, the bill consolidates and protects existing prevention funding,” Franke added.