Transitioning Gang-Involved Youth to Higher Education (TGIY) Program 

Fiscal Year 2023 Summary of Funding 

x FY 2023 Appropriation: $5,000,000 

x FY 2023 Amount for New Awards: $4,950,000 

o New Awards from the FY 2023 Competition: $4,947,869 

x Number of New Awards: 5 

o New Awards from the FY 2023 Competition: 5 New Awards 

Institution/Organization 

Name 

State Type of 

Institution 

Award Amount Type of Award Abstract 

Page 

University of Cincinnati OH Institution of Higher 

Education (IHE) 

$987,871.00 New Award 

from the FY 

2023 

Competition 

Orange County Bar 

Foundation

CA Institution of Higher 

Education (IHE) 

$990,000.00 New Award 

from the FY 

2023 

Competition 

Uncornered, Inc. MA Institution of Higher 

Education (IHE) 

$990,000.00 New Award 

from the FY 

2023 

Competition 

PathStone Corporation NY Institution of Higher 

Education (IHE) 

$990,000.00 New Award 

from the FY 

2023 

Competition 

Affirming Youth Foundation, 

Inc.

FL Institution of Higher 

Education (IHE) 

$989,998.00 New Award 

from the FY 

2023 

Competition 
ABSTRACT

Transitioning Gang-Impacted Youth to Higher Education Opportunities 

through the Urban Youth Leadership Academy 

The University of Cincinnati School of Criminal Justice proposes to establish the Urban Youth 

Leadership Academy (UYLA) to support gang-impacted youth between the ages of 16 to 24 years 

by creating supportive pathways to higher education and workforce opportunities. The proposed 

project involves an innovative university-community partnership with exceptional capacity to 

fulfil the priorities set forth by the DOE in the solicitation; it includes both universal and targeted 

services, collaborates with numerous partners to address the diverse needs of the target population, 

supports the meaningful inclusion of underserved youth in higher education and career placement 

opportunities, and enhances the capacity of our local support system to improve outcomes for 

justice-involved people. The program model is grounded in evidence-based practices and an 

understanding of the social, academic and personal experiences of gang-impacted youth. 

The UYLA includes three main program components: (1) a structured, on-campus experience for 

underserved high school students to teach leadership skills, provide mentorship, and connect youth 

with resources to access higher education and/or employment opportunities; (2) a traumainformed, holistic case management framework for gang-involved youth who are enrolled at the 

University of Cincinnati; and (3) a centralized infrastructure at the University of Cincinnati to 

leverage the collective impact of community partners in our local jurisdiction. Additionally, this 

proposal includes an evaluation plan. 

The UYLA long-term project goals are: (1) to develop and implement evidence-based services to 

transition gang-impacted youth into postsecondary programs that will allow them to pursue a 

certificate, degree, or other credential; (2) to reduce risk factors for delinquent behaviors and 

strengthen protective factors with essential wraparound services to enhance social and emotional 

support; (3) to deliver an experience that is culturally competent and responsive to the needs of 

racial and ethnic minority youth; (4) to strengthen the network of system partners to enhance the 

collective impact of services and provide support to disconnected students and their families; (5) 

to provide professional development opportunities to create a positive, inclusive, and identity-safe 

campus climate for gang-impacted youth; and (6) to foster system-based changes that enhance 

outcomes for underserved youth. 

This proposal addresses the absolute priority specified in the solicitation as the primary purpose 

of the proposed project is to increase the likelihood of high school completion and college or career 

success for gang-impacted youth. It also addresses the first competitive preference priority in three 

ways. First, the UYLA program aims to create a positive, inclusive and identity-safe climate at the 

University of Cincinnati through holistic case management and peer support. Second, the UYLA 

will use evidence-based assessments and incorporate best practices from previous evaluations of 

similar projects. Third, the UYLA will provide professional development opportunities to faculty, 

staff, students, and community partners. This proposal also addresses the second competitive 

preference priority by strengthening inter-agency coordination and community engagement to 

enhance collective impact and advance systematic change. 

PR/Award # P116Y230013 

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Abstract

1. Applicant Institution: The Orange County Bar Foundation DBA Project Youth OC. 

2. Project Title: ICAN! (Independence, Competence, and Aptitudes Now!)

3. Target Population: For the proposed TGIY program, ICAN!, Project Youth OC (PYOC) will serve

underserved, gang-involved youth, ages 16-24, in Orange County, CA. Our target population will be

identified as transition-age youth that are gang-involved, justice-involved, reentry, and/or otherwise

disconnected who are interested in a obtaining a certificate, degree, or other credential. Each year of the 

3-year grant period, 30 youth will be served for a total of 90 unduplicated youth. Services will be available 

to all demographics (race, ethnicity, gender, etc.) and in all Orange County cities. We anticipate that client 

demographics for the proposed ICAN! services will mirror those of our current diversion programs and 

ICAN! clients: 90% of our youth will be Latino, less than 50% of their caregivers will have a high school

education, 70% will be from Santa Ana, and 95% will be from low-income households, and 100% of our

youth will be gang-involved. 4. Services and Proposed Activities: Phase 1: (Intake)—Each ICAN! 

participant is assigned a case manager to help them addresses their unique needs and barriers and provide

them with resources, services, and assistance needed to enable a successful career pathway. Phase 2: 

College and Career Readiness—Clients receive 6-24 months (depending on the length of their

vocational/educational program) of bi-weekly, one-on-one intensive case management (adapted from ACRA’s evidence-based case management model) that provides our Job Readiness Curriculum, while at

the same time providing critical wrap-around services that include culturally-competent, trauma-informed, 

social and emotional support to overcome identified barriers. Caregivers are provided with a 2-hour 

workshop that highlights gang and substance abuse awareness, as well as emphasizing parental monitoring

skills. Phase 3: Finding the Path (Career Exploration)—Clients work with their case manager to complete 

intensive self-assessments and research to identify career options. They receive assistance in applying to 

community colleges, vocational programs, or alternate pathways. Phase 4: Career Pathways—Participants

attend their certificate, degree, or other credential program, while receiving continued case management.

Phase 5: Follow-up (Employment)—Participants receive assistance gaining employment in their field and

receive case management through the first three months of their jobs. 5. Anticipated Results: Youth

Outcomes: (1) 75% (90) of recruited students will complete vocational training or certification program.

(2) 80% of students report increased knowledge of career pathways. (3) 80% of students will demonstrate

increased financial literacy knowledge and skills. (4) 75% of students will obtain gainful employment

within three months of completing the program. Caregiver Outcomes: (1) 80% of caregivers will report 

increased awareness of gangs and substance use. (2) 70% of caregivers will report increased parental 

monitoring skills. (3) 70% of caregivers will report increased awareness of local prosocial activities

available to their youth. Community Outcomes: (1) Increased youth access to community linkages offering

continued prevention and care services. (2) Increased coordination among local schools and services 

providers. 6. Absolute Priority Addressed: Yes. The purpose of the proposed TGIY program, ICAN!

(Independence, Competence, and Aptitudes Now!), is to assist gang-involved and other underserved 

youth, ages 16-24, in Orange County, CA, to obtain a post-secondary certificate, degree, or other 

credential. ICAN! utilizes an intensive case management model for the target population (adapted from

the evidenced-based A-CRA model) to provide youth with the wrap-around services they need to succeed.

7. Competitive Preference Priorities Addressed: Yes. (1)(b) ICAN! has long-standing partnerships with

post-secondary institutions, local high schools, justice system, and community social service agencies. (2)

(a &b) PYOC has significant involvement with key stakeholders and committees to create justice policy

change. ICAN! has a program phase dedicated to job and college readiness. 8. Invitational Priorities 

Addressed: Yes. (1) Our ICAN! program is already effectively working with gang-involved youth to

access post-secondary education. (2) ICAN! promotes equity by working with gang-involved youth in

high school, career and technical education programs, alternative schools, juvenile justice system and 

correctional facilities. Attainment of project goals may improve quality of education in juvenile justice

facilities and improve long-term outcomes of reentry youth. 

PR/Award # P116Y230014 

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Uncornered – Part III: Project Abstract

U.S. DOE Transitioning Gang-Involved Youth into Higher Education Program (84.116Y) 

1. Applicant Institution: Uncornered, Inc.

2. Project Title: Community Violence Intervention Specialist Credential Program

3. Target Population: Gang-involved youth and young adults (age 14-24 years) from highcrime communities in the Greater Boston area

4. Services and Proposed Activities: Uncornered, and its academic and criminal justice

partners, will work with gang-involved youth and young adults from Greater Boston area to 

(a) create pathways that increase postsecondary education access, affordability, completion, 

and post-enrollment success among gang-involved youth/young adults; (b) address the social, 

emotional, and academic needs of gang-involved youth/young adults to support college and 

career readiness; and (c) strengthen cross-sector collaboration and coordination to advance

systemic change for equitable and inclusive access to education and career opportunities. The

collaboration will include intensive case management with wraparound services such as 

mental health counseling, individualized education plans, postsecondary 

enrollment/application assistance, including financial aid, and evidence-based services for 

academic support, such as advising and tutoring. Through this funding opportunity, 

Uncornered and Roxbury Community College will create a specialized credentialing program

for Community Violence Intervention with direct employment opportunities.

5. Anticipated Results: (a) Decreased antisocial behaviors; (b) Increased prosocial behaviors;

(c) Decreased recidivism; (d) Increased number of underserved youth/young adults enrolled

in a postsecondary education program; (e) Increased number of underserved youth/young 

adults earning a certificate, degree, or other credentials; (f) Increased number of underserved 

youth/young adults active in internships, apprenticeships, or other work experiences.

6. Absolute Priority Addressed: Yes - services address the accessibility, affordability, 

completion, and post-enrollment success of underserved youth.

7. Competitive Preference Priorities Addressed: Yes

X Competitive Preference Priority 1 – Uncornered model provides intensive case

management with wraparound services for building resiliency via clinicians who specialize

in mental health. Restorative justice practices are a cornerstone of the engagement approach.

X Competitive Preference Priority 2 – In partnership with Roxbury Community College and 

the Suffolk and Plymouth House of Corrections, Uncornered will create a permanent

postsecondary pathway from gang involvement to a credentialing program in Community 

Violence Intervention directly linked to viable employment opportunities. 

8. Invitational Priorities Addressed: Yes 

X Invitational Priority 1 – Since 2016, Uncornered has achieved a 70% college matriculation 

rate, an 80% retention rate in programming, and a recidivism rate of only 7%.

X Invitational Priority 2 – With 98% of program participants self-identifying from

communities of color, racial justice and equity principles are central to Uncornered’s 

mission.

PR/Award # P116Y230026 

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1. Applicant Institution: Affirming YOUth Foundation (AYF)

2. Project Title: Delivering Educational Access for Liberty City (DEAL)

3. Target Population (e.g., faculty, staff, students): Gang-involved and disconnected

Liberty City, Miami, FL YOUth age 14-24

4. Services and Proposed Activities: DEAL utilized the following Educational Attainment

Strategies: (1) strengthening economic supports; (2) promoting healthy environments that

support healthy development; (3) strengthening participants' skills; (4) connecting

participants to supportive adults and activities; (5) creating protective community

environments; and (6) intervening to lessen harm and prevent future risks. Each strategy

will be addressed utilizing the following activities: (1) providing mentorship, (2)

alternative education opportunities, (3) culturally competent and trauma-informed

services, (4) skills development interventions, (5) connection to scholarships and

financial aid, (6) connection to community-based resources, and (7) holistic support to

managing life stressors.

5. Anticipated Results (e.g., learning outcomes): DEAL activities will aid in improving

youth access to and enrollment in postsecondary education and support improved

outcomes for gang-involved youth. This overall outcome will be measured by 4 goals: (1)

promote equity in student access to education resources, opportunities, and inclusive

environments as measured by improvements in 75% of participants in College Student

Inventory (CSI) Assessment Package scores by the end of the funding period; (2)

increase students’ social, emotional, and academic skills as measured by improvements in

75% of participants in College Student Inventory (CSI) Assessment Package, Adult

Needs and Strengths Assessment (ANSA), Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths

Assessment (CANS), and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) scores by the

end of the funding period; (3) 75% of participants will demonstrate an increase in social

and cultural capital as measured by improvements in 75% of participants in College

Student Inventory (CSI) Assessment Package by the end of the funding period; (4)

enhance AYF’s capacity to improve justice policy and college readiness as measured by

75% improvements in Affirming YOUth Foundation Community Stakeholder Survey,

Affirming YOUth Foundation Client Satisfaction Survey by the end of the funding period

6. Absolute Priority Addressed: Yes

7. Competitive Preference Priorities Addressed: Yes. Competitive Preference Priority 1

will be addressed by implementing evidence-based practices for advancing student

success, providing evidence-based professional development opportunities, and fostering

partnerships across agencies. Competitive Preference Priority 2 will be addressed by

convening federal, state, and local agencies and community-based organizations to

address justice policy and college readiness

8. Invitation Priorities Addressed: Yes. Invitational Priority 1 will be addressed by the

collective qualifications of AYF staff members, as well as their consistent record of being

funded and supported by local, state, and federal agencies. Invitational Priority 2 will be

addressed by providing youth with educational equity and adequacy in resources and

opportunity for gang-involved youth in high school, career and technical education

programs, and alternative schools and programs.

PR/Award # P116Y230032 

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ABSTRACT: Obstacles to Opportunities 

1. Applicant institution: PathStone Corporation 

2. Project title: Obstacles to Opportunities 

3. Target Population: 75 Youth aged 14 to 24 in Erie County, NY 

4. Services and Proposed Activities 

PathStone Corporation, a 501(c)3 non-profit, requests funding to operate a Transitioning GangInvolved Youth to Higher Education Program designed to serve 75 Youth aged 14 to 24 in Erie 

County, NY. PathStone’s TGIY program has been titled Obstacles to Opportunities and will 

serve disconnected youth and youth impacted by the justice system. 

The Positive Youth Development approach, which is PathStone’s strategy, emphasizes building 

protective factors or what we call “loading assets” as a shield against risk factor exposure. 

PathStone’s customer-centered youth project incorporates the full range of Workforce Innovation 

Opportunity Act/WIOA services, a strategy that randomized and econometric evaluation have 

shown to have a significant positive impact on employment, wage rates and earnings. Our design 

addresses challenges of underserved youth’s poverty with supportive services, low academic 

skills with basic education, and lack of work and life skills with individualized plans and 

intensive case management, plus integration of classroom and work-based learning, including 

Work Experience/WEx, pre-Apprenticeship, and On-the-Job Training/OJT. This comprehensive 

service approach promotes attainment of post-secondary education and employment placements, 

credentials and retention goals. 

5. Anticipated Results (e.g., learning outcomes) 

 Goals: Provide youth with evidence-based program components to 

 Increase Postsecondary Education Access, Affordability, Completion, and Post- 

 Enrollment Success 

 Meet Students' Social, Emotional, and Academic Needs 

 Promote Equity in Student Access to Educational Resources 

Objectives: 

1. Youth attain education/workforce credential 

2. Youth not engaged in/victimized by violence 

3. Youth complete Individual-Family Development Plan for their current goals 

4. Youth complete Career Exploration 

5. Youth attain 90 days of post secondary education or employment retention 

6. Youth complete cognitive behavioral training & work readiness training 

6. Absolute Priority Addressed: Yes 

7. Competitive Preference Priorities Addressed: Yes 

8. Invitation Priorities Addressed: Yes 

PR/Award # P116Y230037 

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