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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR Swisstack

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

2/17/07

HB 909

SHORT TITLE Youth Civic Justice Corps Project

SB

ANALYST Lucero

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY07

FY08

$300.0

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates SB967, Relates to HB419

Relates to Appropriation in the General Appropriation Act

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD)

Office of Workforce Training and Development (OWTD)

Youth Conservation Corps (YCC)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 909 appropriates three hundred thousand ($300,000) from the general fund to

Children, Youth and Families Department for expenditure in 2008 to initiate a statewide pilot

project for a youth civic justice corps that will provide service opportunities for youth who are

aging out of foster care or transitioning out of the juvenile justice system.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of three hundred ($300,000) contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the

general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year

2008 shall revert to the general fund.

House Bill 909 – Page

2

The Children, Youth and Families Department requested three hundred thousand dollars

($300,000) as an expansion request. The Executive recommendation for the Children, Youth and

Families Department approved the expansion, while the Legislative Finance Committee

recommendation did not approve the expansion.

The pilot program is intended to cover 21 clients at an average cost per client of fourteen

thousand two hundred eighty six dollars ($14,286). These clients would receive training,

employment, AmeriCorps-paid health insurance and child care if qualified, as well as an

opportunity to earn a High School diploma, or General Education Diploma and scholarship funds

to pursue a post secondary education.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

Approximately 100 to 180 youth may emancipate from foster care in any given year. CYFD is

currently participating on multiple cross-agency efforts to address the transitional needs of this

population. We recognize that, nationally, this population is at risk for higher rates of drop-

out/school failure, homelessness, mental health/substance abuse issues, involvement with the

adult criminal justice system, and being victims of crime/domestic violence than similar youth

who are not involved in foster care or the juvenile justice system. The bill would create and

expand opportunities for CYFD to continue to advance positive outcomes for NM youth.

CYFD is in the process of developing “transition services" for paroled youth exiting JJS

facilities. This project will provide for greater oversight and case management for clients in the

communities.

PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

Youth involvement in service opportunities could potentially positively impact the repeat

maltreatment as it may empower youth and reduce the likelihood that they become victims of

future maltreatment.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

If passed, the bill will have an administrative impact on children, youth and families department

that the bill does not address.

CONFLICT, DUPLICATION, COMPANIONSHIP, RELATIONSHIP

Duplicates SB967, Relates to HB419

TECHNICAL ISSUES

None identified

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

The Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) provides statewide jobs to New Mexico youth between

the ages of 14 to 25. In the program year just completed, YCC employed over 700 youth in 35

projects; at least 3/4 of these youth were employed through the summer months. The YCC Act

House Bill 909 – Page

3

requires that the projects be of lasting value and are designed to improve New Mexico’s natural,

historical, and cultural resources. Local citizens recognized the contributions made by these

youth to the overall health and well being of their community. Nothing can replace the feelings

of pride generated in these youth by being recognized in their community for a job well done.

YCC has an overhead cost of 5-8% and is an effective and efficient youth employment program.

The program was implemented in 1992 and is an established model for youth employment in

New Mexico. The OWTD could partner with YCC or use the YCC model to distribute the funds.

ALTERNATIVES

The sponsor may want to consider a joint project between YCC and CYFD. YCC seems to have

the infrastructure in place to quickly initiate a program such as this.

WHAT WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL

Status Quo

DL/csd