School Laws of Oklahoma

Chapter 12 - Safety and Security
Article V: Delinquency and Youth Gang Intervention and Deterrence Act

Section 1046. Delinquency and Youth Gang Intervention and Deterrence Act. (10 O.S. § 1507.10)

A. Sections 13 through 17 of this act shall be known and may be cited as the “Delinquency and Youth Gang Intervention and Deterrence Act”.

B. The Legislature recognizes that the economic cost of crime to the state and communities continues to drain existing resources, and the cost to victims, both economic and psychological, is traumatic and tragic. The Legislature further recognizes that many adults in the criminal justice system were once delinquents in the juvenile justice system. The Legislature also recognizes that the most effective juvenile delinquency programs are programs that not only prevent children from entering the juvenile justice system, but also meet local community needs and have substantial community involvement and support. Therefore, it is the belief of the Legislature that one of the best investments of scarce resources available to combat crime is to counteract the negative social and economic factors that contribute to criminal and delinquent behavior by engaging youth, at an early age, in positive programs and opportunities at the local, neighborhood and community level.

C. For the purpose of reducing the likelihood of later involvement in criminal or delinquent activities, the intent of the Legislature in enacting the Delinquency and Youth Gang Intervention and Deterrence Act is to provide for school, school-related and after-school programs for children in grades 1 through 12, and their families, who live in at-risk school districts, neighborhoods and communities and to aid all communities in developing delinquency prevention and early intervention programs and activities.

Section 1047. Definitions. (10 O.S. § 1507.11)

For the purposes of the Delinquency and Youth Gang Intervention and Deterrence Act:

1. “At-risk school districts, neighborhoods and communities” means that within the school district, neighborhood or community the incidence of reported juvenile crime or referrals for juvenile court intakes, or some combination of both such incidence and referrals as approved by the Office of Juvenile Justice, is significantly higher than the statewide statistical mean for such incidence, referrals or combination;

2. “School, school-related or after-school programs and activities” includes delinquency prevention or early intervention programs and activities that occur during or outside of regular school hours; and

3. “Delinquency prevention and early intervention programs and activities” includes but is not limited to the following for participating youth: Intensive school and school-related programs, such as tutoring and other educational services, vocational training, and counseling, employment services, recreational opportunities, and counseling services, such as family counseling, mental health counseling, substance abuse outpatient treatment, education programs, and programs and services involving the families of participating youth.

Section 1048. Responsibilities of State Agencies. (10 O.S. § 1507.12)

A. From funds appropriated or otherwise available for that purpose, the Department of Human Services through its Office of Juvenile Justice shall:

1. Issue requests for proposals and contract with eligible entities for delinquency prevention and early intervention programs; and

2. Provide information and technical assistance to school districts, neighborhood and community organizations, and agencies within the children and youth service system, as that term is defined by the Serious and Habitual Juvenile Offender Act, for the purpose of assisting them to make application for federal, state and private grants for delinquency prevention and early intervention programs.

B. The Office of Juvenile Justice, with the assistance of and information provided by the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, shall establish criteria for:

1. Identifying at-risk neighborhoods, school districts, communities and specific areas within school districts and communities for the purposes of determining eligibility for any grants for at-risk areas available pursuant to the Delinquency and Youth Gang Intervention and Deterrence Act; and

2. Determining eligibility for communities seeking other grants pursuant to the Delinquency and Youth Gang Intervention and Deterrence Act.

The Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation shall provide the Office of Juvenile Justice with information and assistance, as requested by the Office, for the purpose of establishing the criteria required by this section.

Section 1049. Rules for Submission of Proposals and Implementary Act. (10 O.S. § 1507.13)

A. The Commission for Human Services shall establish the proposal submission and education procedures and criteria and shall promulgate rules as necessary for the implementation of the Delinquency and Youth Gang Intervention and Deterrence Act.

B. In order to be eligible for an at-risk grant contract pursuant to the Delinquency and Youth Gang Intervention and Deterrence Act the proposal shall, at minimum:

1. Be a joint proposal made by an at-risk school district, neighborhood organization, municipality or county and one or more agencies or organizations within the children and youth service system. If a school district is not a joint participant in the proposal, the proposal shall document and describe the active participation in and support of the local school district in the program and activities for which the proposal is submitted;

2. Be for programs and activities for children not less than six (6) years of age, or in grades 1 through 12, whichever is applicable;

3. Describe the respective roles and responsibilities for the administration and operation of the program and activities, including but not limited to the designation of the entity responsible for the receipt and expenditure of any funds awarded pursuant to the Delinquency and Youth Gang Intervention and Deterrence Act;

4. Specifically identify the area within a school district or community or the neighborhood where the programs and activities will be implemented;

5. Describe how the program will coordinate and cooperate with programs and services administered by the Department of Human Services, the State Department of Education, and other state or local agencies, such as law enforcement, courts and other agencies within the children and youth service system; and

6. Provide the program and activities on-site in a school, community center, or similar location within the neighborhood or identified area of the school district or community.

C. In order to be eligible for any other grand contract pursuant to the Delinquency and Youth Gang Intervention and Deterrence Act, the proposal shall, at a minimum:

1. Describe the respective roles and responsibilities for the administration and operation of the program and activities, including but not limited to the designation of the entity responsible for the receipt and expenditure of any funds awarded pursuant to the Delinquency and Youth Gang Intervention and Deterrence Act; and

2. Describe how the program will coordinate and cooperate with programs and services administered by the Department of Human Services, the State Department of Education, and other state or local agencies, such as law enforcement, courts, and other agencies within the children and you service system.

D. Each entity which receives a contract pursuant to this section shall submit an annual evaluation report to the Department of Human Services, by a date subsequent to the end of the contract period as established by the Department, documenting the extent to which the program objectives have been met and any other information required by the Department.

Section 1050. Transfer of Implementation Responsibilities to Department of Juvenile Justice. (10 O.S. § 1507.14)

Effective July 1, 1995, the responsibility for implementation of the Delinquency and Youth Gang Intervention and Deterrence Act shall be transferred to the Department of Juvenile Justice.

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