These grants are aimed at helping to fund new and/or expanding programs that serve the needs of Valley teens. In November, the members of the program reviewed Request for Proposals applications and determined which requests were granted.

This year, $3,000 was available to allocate to programs they felt most worthwhile and met the needs of teens in the community determined by their annual needs assessment. The following areas were identified as of critical concern to teens in the Valley: availability of and access to information pertaining to teen services, programs for college/careers counseling, teen diversity programs, and support groups/counseling, mentoring for and by youth.

The Youth Leadership members approved the following programs to receive venture grant funding:

• Derby High School was awarded $900.00 for their Biotechnology techniques/Laboratory Methods program. This program will offer an after school activity for high students interested in learning techniques used in biotechnology firms. The program will spark interest in the field and provide the necessary skills to pursue a career in biotechnology firms.

• Valley Substance Abuse Action Council, a program of Birmingham Group Health Services, will receive $500.00 for their BABES program (Beginning Awareness Basic Education Studies). This nationally recognized primary prevention program is designed to help children and young people develop positive living skills and provide them with accurate, no-judgmental information about the use and abuse of alcohol and drugs. The teens involved in the program will be used as presenters of a series of six presentations to younger children.

• Junior Achievement of Western Connecticut will once again receive funding for their Elementary Program "Our Community" & "Our City". The program will receive $600.00. The program will begin its second year to work with developmentally challenged teens in the regional Special Education program at Ripton School in Shelton. The program adapts the elementary level in school program for twenty-two academically challenged teens students using "learning capability" appropriate rather than the typical "age" appropriate methods and materials. To support this effort, thirty-two academically gifted 6^th grade students in the REAP program will act as "peer mentors" to strengthen the program impact.

• Tinney Community Center’s Student-to-Student Homework Crew was given $600.00. The goal of this program is to provide mentoring and leadership skills to high-risk teens as they help younger children achieve academically.

• Shelton Alternative Education Program received $400.00 for the Shelton Alternative Parenting Seminars. The main focus of this grant is to provide targeted parent education designed to increase the home school collaboration. This will include a series of seminars for parents and students focusing on building healthy family relationships that encourage understanding, cooperation, and self-care. Childcare will be offered to parents involved in this program.