§18-21-4. Organization and goals of the community-based pilot demonstration program.

(a) The pilot program shall be operated by a local community-based organization under the direction of the Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Human Services and in collaboration with the State School Superintendent, county school superintendent, Executive Director of the State Workforce Investment Division, Executive Director of WV Vocational Rehabilitation Services, the local juvenile court system, the Chancellor for Higher Education, the Chancellor for Community and Technical College Education, president of the local community and technical college and four-year college or university, the Director of the West Virginia Division of Juvenile Services, the local mental or behavioral health organizations and other governmental and community-based organizations and partner agencies to serve as a clearinghouse to coordinate comprehensive youth and family services. The pilot project shall be housed within the community and will be directed by a local community-based nonprofit organization.

(b) The pilot project shall operate out of a centrally located building to coordinate services to youth and their families in the selected county from birth to seventeen years of age who are referred by the Department of Human Services.

(c) The goal of the pilot program is to improve outcomes for at-risk youth as measured by the following metrics:

(1) Early childhood development:

(A) Increase in the number of mothers receiving early prenatal care;

(B) Increase in the number of mothers participating in the Right From the Start Program;

(C) Increase in the number of children screened by the birth to three year-old program for early development delays;

(D) Increase in the number of three year-olds enrolled in Head Start;

(E) Increase in the number of four year-olds enrolled in preschool.

(2) Preschool youth and teen measures:

(A) Decrease in school truancy;

(B) Decrease in truancy hearings;

(C) Decrease in school suspensions;

(D) Decrease in school expulsions;

(E) Decrease in high school dropouts at a select school;

(F) Increase in the number of youth participating in a mentoring program;

(G) Increase in academic performance for select students;

(H) Increase in the number of youth participating in summer employment; and

(I) Increase in the number of youth entering postsecondary education or the workforce.

(3) Parent measures:

(A) Increase in the number of individuals registered at the WorkForce West Virginia Center;

(B) Increase in the number of individuals enrolled in job training;

(C) Increase in the number of individuals completing job training with a certification or credential;

(D) Increase in the number of individuals placed in employment; and

(E) Increase in the number of children enrolled in the CHIP program.