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2022 SESSION

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CHAPTER 522 An Act to amend and reenact §§ 66-28, 66-34, and 66-35 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Delinquency Prevention and Youth Development Act; youth services citizen boards; duties; guidelines. [S 485] Approved April 11, 2022

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §§ 66-28, 66-34, and 66-35 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 66-28. Policies.

The Board shall prescribe policies governing applications for grants pursuant to this chapter and standards for the operation of programs developed and implemented under the grants. The Department shall cooperate with and seek the assistance of representatives of county and city governing bodies, private nonprofit youth service agencies, and private citizens having expertise in the development and any subsequent revisions of the standards required by this section. The Department shall establish and make available to localities a list of best practice program models that are likely to qualify for grants pursuant to this chapter, such as programs offering (i) mentorships, (ii) community service opportunities, (iii) trauma-informed behavioral and mental health services, (iv) career planning and training, (v) employment opportunities, (vi) non-academic supports in a public or private school, or (vii) after-school or summer programs.

§ 66-34. Youth services citizen boards; appointment and qualifications of members.

A. Each county and city participating in a program funded by an approved grant shall be represented on a youth services citizen board (the board). The board shall be appointed by the county or city governing body or combination thereof and may include in its membership. The board may be composed of (i) representative elected officials, representatives of public and private agencies serving youths, representatives of local law enforcement, and citizens not employed by government or service agencies and at least one member who is below the age of eighteen years. A majority of the board shall be citizens who are not employed by government or service agencies and who are not elected governmental officials, including one representative of the faith community and one representative of the business community, or (ii) the community policy and management team established pursuant to § 2.2-5204 or a similar entity, as approved by the Department, provided that such board or entity (a) includes, for the purposes of this section, at least one representative of the faith community who is not employed by a government or service agency, one representative of the business community who is not employed by a government or service agency, and one representative of local law enforcement and (b) complies with any other requirements imposed by the Department. No board member may have an interest in any organization or program that receives grant funds pursuant to this chapter.

B. The board shall actively participate with community representatives in the formulation of a comprehensive plan for the development, coordination, and evaluation of the youth services program and shall make formal recommendations to the governing authority or authorities at least annually concerning the comprehensive plan and its implementation during the ensuing year.

C. The board may establish a youth advisory team for the purposes of consultation and advice regarding the youth services program. If the board establishes a youth advisory team, the board (i) shall consult with and consider the recommendations of the youth advisory team prior to making recommendations to the local governing body pursuant to subsection B and (ii) may apply to the Department for additional funding to support the youth advisory team.

§ 66-35. Responsibilities of local programs.

It shall be the responsibility of the local programs to:

1. Prepare and annually update pursuant to Department guidelines a comprehensive plan based on an objective assessment of the community's youth development and delinquency prevention needs and resources;

2. Assist the locality in establishing and modifying programs and services to youth pursuant to § 16.1-309.3 on the basis of an objective assessment of the community's needs and resources;

3. Collaborate with public and private entities to maintain and disseminate an annual inventory of youth and parenting related services and programs available in the locality;

4. Collaborate with public and private entities to identify gaps in program services and identify potential funding sources to assist in developing programs to respond to identified gaps; and

5. 4. Provide assistance to other community agencies and organizations, including the community policy and management team established pursuant to § 2.2-5204, in establishing and modifying programs and services to youth.