Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1368FY0001

The Amer-I-Can Program

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Requester:

Warren P. Chavers

Organization:

The Amer-I-Can Program, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Project Title:

The Amer-I-Can Program

Date Submitted:

2/15/01 11:14:04 AM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sponsors:

J. Alex Villalobos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statewide Interest:

Reduction of crime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recipient:

The Amer-I-Can Program, Inc.

Contact:

Warren P. Chavers

 

21545 SW 87th Ave.

Contact Phone:

(330) 580-9274

 

 

Miami 33169

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Counties:

Broward, 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 teaches the program.  Amer-I-Can is designed to make a favorable impact on the student behavior resulting in improved academic performance (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 facilitator 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 administrators also look for pro gress 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-I-Can seeks to increase school attendance, reduce incidedents of negative behavior and increase grade point averages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount requested from the State for this project this year:

$500,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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:

The program meets needs regularly indentified by the FL Dep. of Education and FL Dep. of Juv. Justic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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:

11/15/00