GOALS & OBJECTIVES

MISSION STATEMENT

The Montana Youth ChalleNGe Program assists at-risk Montana youth in developing skills and abilities necessary to become productive citizens through focusing upon the physical, emotional and educational needs of the youth within a highly structured environment.

PROGRAM HISTORY

The ChalleNGe Program has been in existence nationally since 1993.  The goal was to establish a quasi-military program with the intent to use proven military techniques of discipline and motivation to assist youth in turning their lives around.  To date, there are 33 ChalleNGe Programs in 28 states.

The Montana ChalleNGe Program was brought into existence in 1999.  The program has now been in existence for over nine years and has been successful in graduating some 1,280 youth.

PROGRAM GOALS RESIDENTIAL

Academic Excellence:  Each youth will increase their grade level status as measured against a pre and post test of the Test of Adult Basic Education (T.A.B.E.).  This advancement is primarily accomplished through the efforts of five hours a day of academic instruction, followed by two hours of study hall.  Volunteer tutors are made available if necessary.

Average Grade Level Increase:

READING :  1.7
       MATH:  1.5

General Education Diploma:  Although a youth does not need to receive a G.E.D. to successfully complete the ChalleNGe Program, the program will strive to obtain better than a 70% GED success rate for all graduating classes.  This number is based on the average percentage of high school seniors who would earn passing scores if they took the GED [Source:  OPI GED website].  

GED Success Rate for MYCP at Graduation:  79%

Community Service:  Each youth will complete 40 hours of service to the community.

Average Service to the Community Hours per Graduate:

53.45 hours

Service to the Community Hours Performed By Graduates to Date:

Over 68,416 hours

Physical Fitness:  Each youth will show improvement in their physical fitness as measured against the President’s Physical Fitness Program.

Leadership:  Each youth will hold a minimum of three leadership positions.

Graduation Rate:  The program will work to graduate 170 youth annually from the residential portion of the program.

Mentor Match:  The program’s goal is to achieve a 100% mentor match for all youth by week 13 of the residential program.

PROGRAM GOALS POST-RESIDENTIAL

Life Plan Development:  Each youth will have in hand a completed life plan that outlines a realistic and achievable plan for success after completion of the residential-phase of the program.

One Year Tracking:  Using both the mentors and post-residential case managers all youth will be tracked for one year following graduation to measure continued success.

PROGRAM GOALS-OPERATIONS

Training:  The program will provide training opportunities throughout the next biennium [July 01, 2009 – June 30, 2011 that support the training requirements of National Guard Bureau, Montana Department of Military Affairs, Montana Youth ChalleNGe Program, State Licensing and Certification Authorities, and program staff.

Competitive Sourcing:  The program will identify and establish at least one program-enhancing partnership at the state level, in the public or private sector, by the end of the 2011 biennium.  The partnership will support placement of Cadets, improve public relations, and ensure the continued promotion and welfare of the program.

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