Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #350FY0001 The Amer-I-Can Program
Requester:		Warren P. Chavers			Organization:		The Amer-I-Can Program
Project Title:		The Amer-I-Can Program			Date Submitted:		02/06/2001 3:05:01 PM
Sponsors:		Matthew Meadows
Statewide Interest:		Reduction of crime
Recipient:		The Amer-I-Can			Contact:		Warren Chavers
		21545 S.W. 87th Avenue			Contact Phone:		(330) 580-9274
		Miami, FL. 33189
Counties:		Dade
Service Area:		Private Organization
Project Description:
Amer-I-Can is a self-improvement and life skills program designed for gang and at-risk youths and aims to improve lives through learning and applying principles to help make positive choices for a successful transition toward a meaningful, enriched and positive lifestyle. A certified facilitator teachers the program. Amer-I-Can is designed to make a favorable impact on the student behavior resulting in improved academic perormance (GPA),reduction in negative behavior and increase in school attendance. Our 15-chapter curriculum will assist in improving the student's attitude and motivate them to stay in school. The training helps to restore self-worth, self-esteem and encourages the student to set realistic goals and to work hard at achieving them. The curriculum consists of a 15-chapter manual with weekly testing, as well as evaluations by program administrators, facilitators and involved parents. The program also requires periodic self-evaluation by the students. These dynamics create a structured program of self-help and development of peer group relationships with a trained facilitor who monitors individual and group achievements. Finally, the program attempts to establish family relationships with each student's family to provide proper support upon completion of the program.
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
Progress will be measured for each individual student. Outcome is measured with longitudinal study of Personal Growth Inventories and Critical Skills Evaluations. Likewise, attendance, grade point average and the number of disciplinary incidents during the time frame of the course are used as evaluation measures. Program administrator also look for progress in attitudes and behaviors, academically, socially, domestically, and criminally, and a determination of whether there is increased respect for other persons and property. As an overall program, Amer-Can seeks to increase school attendance, reduce incidents of negative behavior and increase grade point average.
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:						$500,000
Identify item(s) in the Appropriations Bill to be reduced:
Specific Appropriation #:
Specific Appropriation Title:
Amount to be reduced:			$
Fund Source:
Total cost of the project:			$625,000
Request has been made to fund:				Operations
Type of funding match:		Federal
	Total Cash Amount:		$125,000
Was this project previously funded by the State?							Yes
	Fiscal Year:		2000-2001		Amount:		$300,000
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?							Yes
	Amount:		$500,000
	Purpose for future year funding:					Recurring Operations
	Will this be an annual request?						Yes
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?							No
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?							No
Is there a documented need for this project?							Yes
	Documentation:		Program meets needs identified by the FL. Dept. of Educ. and Dept. of Juvenile Justice
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?							Yes
	Hearing Body:		Dade County School Board
	Meeting Date:		11/15/2000