ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS GET FUNDED

More than $380,000 has been allocated for alternative education and juvenile diversion projects in Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, Scott and Perry counties during the next school year.

Randall Rhodes, juvenile officer and project director for the grants, said lawmakers allocated $380,904 to the 32nd Judicial Circuit Court Juvenile Division to fund five programs in three area school districts.

The funds support activities and programs which identify at-risk youth who might otherwise drop out of school or be committed to the Division of Youth Services.

The funding appeared to be jeopardized during the legislative session after Gov. Mel Carnahan omitted it from his recommended budget. Lawmakers reinstated the funding, however, and Carnahan approved the final budget revisions.

"They funded all our projects, which was extremely good considering the cuts that were made," Rhodes said. "I got everything I asked for, which in my little grant world means I didn't ask for enough."

Programs funded by the grants are varied. Most are administered by area school districts, which supply teachers, equipment and other support for the projects.

"All the school districts supply it with financing and personnel and administration, as well," Rhodes said. "They've taken on quite an effort with the grants."

In addition, the Missouri Department of Conservation and Department of Natural Resources work with juvenile officers and other staff to operate the Clean Streams Project.

An award totaling $20,955 was given for the project, which provides restitution and community service work opportunities for youth cited into the 32nd Judicial Circuit system for a law violation.

The Alternative Education Center operated by the Cape Girardeau School District received a grant for $169,253 for the next school year. The alternative school, created in 1995, serves students from school districts throughout the 32nd Circuit Court area.

An estimated 80 students are expected to attend the alternative school, located in classrooms inside House of Hope Church at 1000 Ranney, next year. Over 50 students attended the school, which graduated 11 students last year.

"This is a whole pool of kids that wouldn't be served otherwise," Rhodes said. "We're seeing a whole group of kids returning and talking about college, military and work experience."

Two alternative education programs were funded in the Jackson School District. The first program is similar to Cape Girardeau's alternative school and received an $88,850 award to serve some 45 at-risk youth.

A $5,930 grant was received to fund an afterschool program in Jackson. This project, which was piloted last year, provides afterschool programming, incentive rewards and tutoring to some 30 students.

The program was successful last year in decreasing behavioral disruptions and absentees during the school day among participants and, possibly, future referrals to the juvenile office as well, Rhodes said.

The Perry County alternative school program received a $95,919 award to serve some 45 students. The program includes a career development component in addition to academic support.