STATE YOUTH INITIATIVE ASSISTS CHILDREN AT RISK

A new study coordinated by the University of Missouri Extension Service has provided insightful profiles of Missouri's youths at risk. The report gives definition to the problems children face from poverty, abuse, teen pregnancy, and dropping out of school.

The study is one of three components of the Missouri Youth Initiative, an effort funded by a $3.6 million grant from the Kellogg Foundation in conjunction with the University of Missouri Extension Service.

But to its credit, the initiative doesn't stop with just another report.

It also involves development of programming for youths at risk in cooperation with other agencies in six cities and establishment of a Youth Fellows program, with experts from all the University of Missouri campuses and the Extension Service offering expertise to local communities.

Sikeston is one of the demonstration project sites. The year-old project there includes a literacy program coordinated through the Sikeston public schools. This summer it is providing assistance to an existing youth program housed in an old high school building.

The project clearly demonstrates the importance of utilizing programs already operating in communities.

Too often, people talk of starting new programs to deal with ever-present problems without taking into account the agencies and programs that already exist to deal with such concerns. New programs also demand funding, another commodity that is always in short supply.

The idea of focusing on the problems at a local level rather than through an unwieldy conglomeration of state and federal legislation is also good. That's because each community is different. Poverty may be the biggest concern in one area, while dealing with teen pregnancies could be the top priority of another community. Tailoring programs to fit the individual needs of a community is vital in addressing such complex problems as poverty and abuse.

The statewide report provides a profile of the problem at the county level and should go a long way toward helping determine local needs.

The success of the Sikeston effort and those in other demonstration cities will hopefully serve as a model for similar programs in other communities across the state. Helping our children at risk remains one of our greatest challenges.