Program Description

To offer direct services to young people between the ages of 13 and 29 at their family and community settings. To develop activities in coordination with other governmental agencies, municipalities, organizations and private businesses. Establish services in accordance with young people's needs, for example: the Youth Employment Program, student trips, theater, academic development and work orientation, encouragement of youth organizations (OAJ, Spanish acronym), Youth Cultural Development and the Micro-Business Program.

• Guarantee employment opportunity to every young person that is in his/her last year of vocational or technical, Associate Degree, Bachelor Degree, Masters or Law Degree studies, through the Youth Employment Program.

• Develop focus groups to create leaders in the areas of mentoring, youth cooperatives, community service, environmental awareness, cultural exchanges, agricultural training, health and quality of life.

• Encourage and collaborate with youth for the creation of new businesses, granting them loans through the Micro-Business Program.

• Select participants for public policy internships programs granting young people the opportunity to work in the areas of economic development, the Executive Branch and implementing public policy. The program is intended for: undergraduate students that have completed at least a year of undergrad studies; at least one year of an Associate vocational or technical degree; and students that have completed at least one year towards a Master's or law degree (one year post graduate studies).

• To broaden young people's knowledge through the Student Trips Program and establish special follow-up projects where students offer lectures about their experiences gain through their participation. In addition, to provide incentives to young college students in public and private institutions including non-profit, civic, youth cooperative and entrepreneurship organizations abroad. They will be provided financial aid for lodging, ground and air transportation.

Statistical Data	2010	2011	2012
Jobs created	111	190	750
Municipalities with Youth Houses	15	0	0
Program participating employers	84	293	100
Schools impacted	123	394	300
Workshops	521	854	1,000
Youth benefited	12,345	42,356	15,000

The statistical data was provided by the Agency during the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 budget formulation process.

Customers

Young people from 13 to 29 years old

Human Resources

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	126	89	40	37
Judges, Lawyers, and Legal Staff	0	1	1	1
Planning, Budget, Statistics, Auditing, and Finance	5	5	5	5
Public Relations and Communications	0	1	0	0
Maintenance and General Services Staff	26	18	0	0
Families and Community Services Staff	22	16	0	0
Information Systems	4	4	4	4
Total, Positions	183	134	50	47

The adopted consolidated budget for Fiscal Year 2011-2012 is $6,732,000. The funding includes: $2,329,000 in Joint Resolution General Fund, $1,803,000 from Special Appropriations-General Fund, $2,500,000 from State Special Funds and $100,000 Other Income.

Operational Expenses reflect a decrease of $597,000 in comparison with the funds allocated in Fiscal Year 2010-2011. This is due to a reduction in payroll resulting from the implementation of an employee retirement program and other cost control measures.

The Joint Resolution - General Fund include funds to continue offering services that satisfy young people's needs. In addition, a Special Appropriations - General Fund has been included to comply with Act No. 464 of September 23, 2004 that created the Youth Employment Program that is responsible for providing employment experience to young students that are close to obtaining their undergraduate degrees.

State Special Funds are generated from revenues from the Puerto Rico Lottery in accordance with Act No. 32, as amended, known as the Student Trips Act. This act established a travel program for public and private secondary school youth. Participants will be selected by a special drawing at the Puerto Rico Lottery's facilities. All students that have earned scholarships in private institutions for their academic averages, outstanding achievement in a particular subject, sport, art or economic situation will also have the opportunity to participate. There are also incentives for public and private college students including non-profit organizations comprised of young people that participate in educational, cultural, civic, youth cooperative and/or entrepreneurship activities. In addition, financial aid is provided for lodging, ground and air transportation.

SUMMARY OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES