Idaho Youth ChalleNGe Academy update

By Carmen Syed

Derek Newland, Director of the Idaho Youth ChalleNGe Academy (IDYCA) of Pierce, spoke to attendees at the recent Pierce-Weippe Chamber of Commerce meeting, held on July 10 at the Pierce Community Center.

Mr. Newland gave an update on the progress of getting the Academy property ready for receiving students in January 2014. Ground is being moved and prepared for the modulars that will house the students. These modulars will begin arriving in mid-August. In addition, the interior and exterior is in the process of being painted, and new carpet will be installed in the next week. A new sign was printed by Express Name Tags and More of Weippe, and Logistics Manager, Harv Nelson installed it in front of the school grounds this last week.

In addition, the IDYCA has advertised for 20 new positions recently, including Cadre Team Leaders, Case Managers and Counselors. Interviews have begun for the Cadre Team Leaders, which will be on-staff in the next couple of weeks. There were many that are interviewing from the local area, but housing will need to be secured for those from out-of-town.

The Academy’s Administrative Assistant, Carmen Syed, is taking over the City of Pierce’s efforts in developing a detailed list of rental properties in the area for these new hires. She has made personal contact this week with those on the existing list, to update the availability. However, any rental property owners that have not been contacted are encouraged to call the Academy at 208-464-1253 to be included on the rental list. The new Human Resource Assistant, Cheryl McIntosh of Pierce, has also recently been hired, and will start work soon. She will be assisting in the housing effort for the new hires.

Things are rapidly moving forward with the Academy, and it is an exciting time for our town, county and the youth of our great state!

Lack of funds put Pierce youth challenge on hold

The National Guard sponsored Youth Challenge program at Pierce has been put on hold due to lack of funding.

The school was intended to go into the vacated Pierce Elementary School which is owned by the School District.

The program would have employed about 50 persons and could serve 100 youth at a time in two 22-courses per year.

A public affairs officer for the National Guard reports the program will not be opening anytime soon but remains a priority for Idaho Gov. Butch Otter and the Guard.

The program is funded three-quarters by the federal government and one-fourth by the state. The program is designed for at-risk youth between 16 and 18 to help them get back on track with their education.

In the case of Idaho the Guard had been given the authorization to start the school but no funding according to a Guard public affairs officer.

The initial cost would be $4 million with $1 million from state sources.

Gov. Otter tried to seek private donations after the Idaho legislature indicated last year it would not put money toward the program. But so far that has not worked out according to the Guard spokesperson.

The program would have employed about 50 persons and could serve 100 youths at a time in two 22-courses per year.