Nonviolent Futures for Children Act

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Nonviolent Futures for Children 
Act''.

SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

    It is the purpose of this Act to reduce and prevent the incidence 
of violence involving children through grant programs that encourage 
prevention, intervention, and the rehabilitation of youth offenders. 
The accomplishment of this larger purpose will be advanced through the 
following short-term goals:
            (1) Teach children to resolve conflicts peacefully, teach 
        older youth life skills, enhance self-esteem among all 
        children, and make schools safer places to learn.
            (2) Work with the families of school children through 
        parenting education.
            (3) Educate teachers and other education professionals in 
        violence prevention techniques, and train such teachers and 
        professionals to identify and assist high-risk children.
            (4) Create partnerships between local schools and 
        community-based organizations or agencies to develop supportive 
        programs for youth in order to meet the academic as well as 
        after-school and social needs of youth.
            (5) Assist and rehabilitate youth offenders by providing 
        funds for community-based programs.

SEC. 3. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds that--
            (1) youth are disproportionately represented among the 
        victims of violence, for example--
                    (A) United States teenagers are more than twice as 
                likely as adults to be victims of violent crime; and
                    (B) firearm homicide is the second leading cause of 
                death for all youth, aged 15 to 24;
            (2) child abuse and neglect are increasing at alarming 
        rates, for example--
                    (A) child abuse fatalities increased nearly 50 
                percent between 1986 and 1992;
                    (B) more than one-half of such fatalities resulted 
                from physical abuse; and
                    (C) child abuse and neglect reports have increased 
                50 percent since 1985; and
            (3) violence is cyclical, for example--
                    (A) being abused or neglected as a child increases 
                the likelihood of arrest for violent crime by 38 
                percent, of juvenile arrest by 53 percent, and of adult 
                arrest by 38 percent;
                    (B) two-thirds of men who abuse their wives are 
                from violent childhood homes and about one-half of such 
                men were abused as children; and
                    (C) eighty-four percent of prison inmates were 
                abused as children.

SEC. 4. GRANTS FOR PREVENTION ACTIVITIES.

    (a) Program Authorized.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall award grants on a 
        competitive basis to eligible local educational agencies to 
        enable such agencies to pay the Federal share of the cost of 
        providing preventive services and interventions intended to 
        reduce the incidence of violence.
            (2) Grant duration.--A grant under this section shall be 
        awarded for a period of not less than 3 years nor more than 5 
        years.
    (b) Eligible Local Educational Agency.--For the purpose of this 
section, the term ``eligible local educational agency'' means a local 
educational agency that--
            (1) receives assistance under chapter 1 of title I of the 
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965;
            (2) serves an area in which there is a high rate of 
        violence affecting children and youth; and
            (3)(A) in the case of a local educational agency conducting 
        activities described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection 
        (f)(2), enters into a partnership agreement with at least one 
        community-based organization or agency, such as a business, 
        labor organization, professional society, government agency, 
        university or nonprofit entity, to carry out such activities;
            (B) in the case of a local educational agency conducting 
        activities described in subparagraph (D) of subsection (f)(2), 
        demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary in the 
        application submitted under subsection (d) a commitment for 
        participation in such activities from a local law enforcement 
        agency; and
            (C) in the case of a local educational agency conducting 
        activities described in subparagraph (E) of subsection (f)(2), 
        enters into a partnership agreement with at least one 
        community-based organization or agency described in 
        subparagraph (A) to carry out such activities, which agreement 
        shall require such agency or organization to provide 
        substantive training, work experience, or job placement 
        services after the job training described in such subparagraph 
        (E) is complete.
    (c) Payments; Federal Share; Limitation.--
            (1) Payments.--The Secretary shall pay to each eligible 
        local educational agency having an application approved under 
        subsection (d) the Federal share of the cost of the activities 
        described in the application.
            (2) Federal share.--The Federal share--
                    (A) for the first year for which an eligible local 
                educational agency receives assistance under this 
                section shall be 80 percent;
                    (B) for the second such year shall be 70 percent; 
                and
                    (C) for the third and each succeeding such year 
                shall be 50 percent.
            (3) Non-federal share.--The non-Federal share of payments 
        under this section may be in cash or in kind fairly evaluated, 
        including planned equipment or services.
    (d) Applications.--Each eligible local educational agency desiring 
a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application 
at such time, in such manner and accompanied by such information as the 
Secretary may reasonably require. Each such application shall include--
            (1) an assessment of the extent and nature of the violence 
        affecting children and youth in the community served by such 
        agency;
            (2) an assurance that the applicant has written policies 
        regarding violence, school safety, and student discipline;
            (3) a description of the activities to be carried out with 
        the grant funds, and how such activities will help address the 
        problem of youth violence in the community;
            (4) the applicant's plan to involve parents, teachers, 
        school personnel, youth and others from the community in the 
        applicant's effort to address youth violence;
            (5) coordination with other school reform and improvement 
        efforts;
            (6) an assurance that grant funds will be used to 
        supplement and not supplant State and local funds available to 
        reduce and prevent the incidence of violence involving 
        children; and
            (7) such other information the Secretary may require.
    (e) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary 
shall give priority to eligible local educational agencies serving 
areas with--
            (1) a high concentration of disadvantaged students; and
            (2) a high rate of violence affecting children and youth.
    (f) Use of Funds.--
            (1) School-based activities.--A local educational agency 
        receiving a grant under this section may use such grant funds 
        to provide one or more of the following school-based 
        activities:
                    (A) Peer education or peer mediation, to teach 
                youth to resolve conflicts through peer influence.
                    (B) Conflict resolution training, to teach youth 
                conflict management skills, including how to defuse a 
                potentially violent situation.
                    (C) Social skills training, with an emphasis on 
                building self-esteem, improving interpersonal 
                relationships and communication skills, and decreasing 
                aggressive behavior.
                    (D) Youth designed and developed programs, to 
                address the problem of violence.
                    (E) Parenting education, as age-appropriate, to 
                prepare students for adult responsibilities of rearing 
                children, including instruction in child development 
                and family dynamics.
                    (F) Postsecondary educational opportunity projects, 
                including--
                            (i) exposure to postsecondary educational 
                        opportunities, including academic and 
                        vocational opportunities;
                            (ii) information on assistance available 
                        under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 
                        1965, including financial aid, programs 
                        assisted under chapter 1 of subpart 2 of part A 
                        of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
                        (Federal TRIO Programs), and early intervention 
                        programs;
                            (iii) early identification of students at-
                        risk; and
                            (iv) other support services.
                    (G) Remodeling and security personnel, including 
                minor remodeling to reduce the risk of violence, such 
                as removing lockers, installing better lights, 
                controlling access to stairwells, acquiring and 
                installing metal detectors, hiring security personnel, 
                and reimbursing law enforcement authorities for 
                services.
            (2) School-community partnership activities.--A local 
        educational agency receiving a grant under this section may use 
        such grant funds to provide one or more of the following 
        school-community partnership activities:
                    (A) After-school programs for youth which, at a 
                minimum, shall include academic support programs, 
                sports, arts, crafts, community service and recreation 
                activities.
                    (B) Mentoring programs to pair adults with children 
                and youth to provide one-to-one assistance, attention 
                and guidance.
                    (C) Parenting skills courses, offered with the 
                support of parents in the community, to provide parents 
                of students served by the eligible local educational 
                agency with parenting skills training.
                    (D) Professional training, to train education 
                professionals and school personnel in violence 
                prevention, conflict resolution, anger management, and 
                peer mediation techniques, and to identify high-risk 
                youth and refer such youth for appropriate services.
                    (E) Job training and placement programs, 
                including--
                            (i) the provision of incentives for 
                        participants to complete their secondary 
                        education;
                            (ii) the provision of job training with 
                        subsequent employment placement in a position 
                        which directly utilizes the training provided; 
                        and
                            (iii) the exposure to postsecondary 
                        educational opportunities, including academic 
                        and vocational opportunities.
            (3) Limitation.--An eligible local educational agency 
        receiving a grant under this section in any fiscal year shall 
        not use more than--
                    (A) 10 percent of such grant funds in such fiscal 
                year for the activities described in subsection 
                (f)(1)(G) of this section; and
                    (B) 5 percent of such grant funds in such fiscal 
                year for administrative expenses associated with 
                activities assisted under this section.
            (4) Special rule.--In developing professional training 
        programs described in paragraph (2)(D), an eligible local 
        educational agency is encouraged--
                    (A) to contract for services with organizations 
                demonstrating expertise in such programs; and
                    (B) to work with other representatives of 
                organizations and agencies, including court personnel, 
                social workers, representatives of law enforcement, and 
                medical, mental health, and other health professionals.

SEC. 5. GRANTS FOR PROGRAMS TO SERVE OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH AND YOUTH 
              OFFENDERS.

    (a) Program Authorized.--
            (1) Authority.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary shall award grants, 
                on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to enable 
                such agencies to pay the Federal share of the cost of 
                establishing community-based programs that--
                            (i) assist out-of-school youth and 
                        rehabilitate youth offenders; and
                            (ii) provide opportunities for such youth 
                        to continue their education or obtain job 
                        training.
                    (B) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with 
                the Attorney General in developing program guidelines 
                and awarding grants under this section.
            (2) Grant duration.--A grant under this section shall be 
        awarded for a period of not less than 3 years nor more than 5 
        years.
    (b) Eligible Entities.--For the purpose of this section, the term 
``eligible entity'' means either a State educational agency or a local 
educational agency that enters into a partnership agreement to carry 
out the program assisted under this section with at least one 
community-based youth organization and the appropriate juvenile justice 
agency serving such State educational agency or local educational 
agency.
    (c) Payments; Federal Share; Limitation.--
            (1) Payments.--The Secretary shall pay to each eligible 
        entity having an application approved under subsection (d) the 
        Federal share of the cost of the activities described in the 
        application.
            (2) Federal share.--The Federal share--
                    (A) for the first year for which an eligible entity 
                receives assistance under this section shall be 80 
                percent;
                    (B) for the second such year shall be 70 percent; 
                and
                    (C) for the third and each succeeding such year 
                shall be 50 percent.
            (3) Non-federal share.--The non-Federal share of payments 
        under this section may be in cash or in kind fairly evaluated, 
        including planned equipment or services.
    (d) Application.--Each eligible entity desiring a grant under this 
section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in 
such manner and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may 
reasonably require. Each such application shall include--
            (1) an assessment of the population of out-of-school youth 
        and youth offenders to be served;
            (2) a description of the program to be carried out with the 
        grant funds, and how such program will help meet the needs of 
        out-of-school youth and youth offenders;
            (3) a description of members of the partnership described 
        in subsection (b) that are involved in the program, such 
        member's roles and functions in carrying out the program, and 
        the strength of such member's commitment to the goals of the 
        program;
            (4) the applicant's plan to involve parents, employers, 
        teachers and other school personnel, and community members in 
        designing and carrying out the program;
            (5) an assurance that the grant funds will be used to 
        supplement and not supplant State and local funds available to 
        provide opportunities for out-of-school youth and rehabilitate 
        youth offenders;
            (6) a description of the ability of the community-based 
        youth organization participating in the partnership described 
        in subsection (b) to link youth with other social services as 
        needed; and
            (7) such other information the Secretary may require.
    (e) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary 
shall give priority to eligible entities serving areas with--
            (1) a high concentration of out-of-school youth or youth 
        offenders; and
            (2) a high rate of violence affecting children and youth.
    (f) Use of Funds.--An eligible entity receiving a grant under this 
section shall use such grant funds to provide a community-based program 
for out-of-school youth and youth offenders, which program shall 
include one or more of the following elements:
            (1) A system designed to provide peer and adult support and 
        redirection.
            (2) Incentives for out-of-school youth and youth offenders 
        to continue their education through continuing secondary 
        education, vocational training, school-to-work programs, 
        postsecondary education or other opportunities.
            (3) Assessment of such youths' needs, and referrals by the 
        community-based youth organization participating in the 
        partnership described in subsection (b) to appropriate 
        services.
            (4) Community service.
            (5) Job training and placement opportunities.
            (6) Access to mentoring services.
            (7) Other services, as approved by the Secretary, designed 
        to provide rehabilitative opportunities for such youth.

SEC. 6. REPORTING REQUIREMENT.

    The Secretary shall prescribe annual reporting requirements for 
eligible entities receiving assistance under this Act, including 
requirements regarding--
            (1) the characteristics of the youth served under this Act;
            (2) the incidence of violence in the area served by a local 
        educational agency receiving assistance under this Act; and
            (3) the accomplishments of the activities assisted under 
        this Act, and assessment of such activities by students and 
        youth served by such activities.

SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.

    The terms used in this Act shall have the meaning given to such 
terms in section 1471 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965.

SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
$100,000,000 in each fiscal year to carry out this Act.
    (b) Limitation.--Not more than 20 percent of the funds appropriated 
in any fiscal year pursuant to the authority of subsection (a) shall be 
available to award grants pursuant to section 5 in such fiscal year.

                                 

S 1462 IS----2

Summary: Nonviolent Futures for Children Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to eligible local educational agencies for preventive services and interventions to reduce the incidence of violence. Gives priority to areas with high concentrations of disadvantaged students and high rates of violence affecting children and youth. Allows such grants to be used for: (1) school-based activities, including peer education or mediation, conflict resolution training, social skills training, youth designed and developed programs, parenting education, postsecondary educational opportunity projects, or remodeling and security personnel. Or (2) school-community partnership activities, including after-school programs, mentoring programs, parenting skills courses, professional training for school personnel, or job training and placement. Directs the Secretary to award competitive grants to eligible entities for establishing community-based programs to: (1) assist out-of-school youth and rehabilitate youth offenders. And (2) provide opportunities for such youth to continue their education or obtain job training. Gives priority to areas with high concentrations of out-of-school youth or youth offenders and high rates of violence affecting children and youth. Allows such grants to be used for community-based programs, including peer and adult support and redirection, incentives for continuing education, assessments of needs and referrals to appropriate services, community service, job training and placement opportunities, mentoring services, and other rehabilitative opportunities. Authorizes appropriations.