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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T
SPONSOR Campos
ORIGINAL DATE
LAST UPDATED
2/17/07
HB
SHORT TITLE Youth Civic Justice Corps Project
SB 967
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 HB909
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
Senate Bill 967 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.
pg_0002
Senate Bill 967 – 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 HB 909, 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
requires that the projects be of lasting value and are designed to improve New Mexico’s natural,
pg_0003
Senate Bill 967 – Page
3
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/mt