The Secretary of Defense,
acting through the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, conducts a National
Guard civilian youth opportunities program (to be known as the "National
Guard ChalleNGe Program") to use the National Guard to provide
military-based training, including supervised work experience in community
service and conservation projects, to civilian youth who cease to attend
secondary school after graduating so as to improve the life skills and
employment potential of such youth.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Formula Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
To carry out the National Guard ChalleNGe Program in a State, the Secretary of
Defense shall enter into an agreement with the Governor of the State or, in
the case of the District of Columbia, with the commanding general of the
District of Columbia National Guard, under which the Governor or the
commanding general will establish, organize, and administer the National Guard
ChalleNGe Program in the State. The agreement may provide for the Secretary to
provide funds to the State for civilian personnel costs attributable to the
use of civilian employees of the National Guard in the conduct of the National
Guard ChalleNGe Program.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility: The Secretary of Defense shall provide for the
conduct of the National Guard ChalleNGe Program in such States and U.S.
territories and possession as the Secretary considers to be appropriate, except
that Federal expenditures under the program may not exceed $62.5M for fiscal
year 01.
Beneficiary Eligibility: The Secretary of Defense shall provide for
the conduct of the National Guard ChalleNGe Program in such States and U.S.
territories and possession as the Secretary considers to be appropriate, except
that Federal expenditures under the program may not exceed $62.5M for fiscal
year 01.
Pre-application Coordination: This program is excluded from coverage
under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure: The State shall develop a plan which includes
details on student application and selection procedures, number of students to
be trained, staffing, curriculum, Post-Residential phase execution, facilities
and services, State public and private service to be provided and a detailed
budget.
Award Procedure: After Congress authorizes, approves, and appropriates
funds for the project and the National Guard Bureau reviews and approves all
necessary plans, specifications, bidding documents, contracts and other
documentation, the award can be made.
Deadlines: September 30, 2001.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: From 2 to 3 months.
Appeals: None.
Renewals: Not applicable.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching Requirements: The amount of assistance provide
under this section to a State program of the National Guard ChalleNGe Program
may not exceed: (1) For fiscal year 2000, 65 percent of the costs of operating
the State program during the year; and (2) for fiscal year 2001 and each
subsequent fiscal year, 60 percent of the costs of operating the State program
during that year."
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: One year from the approval of
the agreement.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports: State must submit certified vouchers for each payment to the
U.S. Property and Fiscal Officer of the State. Within 90 days after the end of
each fiscal year, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report on
the design, conduct, and effectiveness of the National Guard ChalleNGe Program
during the preceding fiscal year. In preparing the report, the Secretary shall
coordinate with the Governor of each State in which the National Guard ChalleNGe
Program is carried out and, if the program is carried out in the District of
Columbia, with the commanding general of the District of Columbia National
Guard.
Audits: Governed by the Single Audit Act of 1984. The USPFO shall
conduct an annual internal review of the program. The internal review shall
commence 90 days after the close of the program budget year.
Records: An inventory of program assets by each State.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification: 57-3840-0-1-051.
Obligations: (Grants) FY 01 $62,300,000; FY 02 est $62,500,000; and FY
03 est $62,500,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance: Section 509(b) limits the
use of Federal funds in an amount not to exceed $62.5M for fiscal year 02.
The ChalleNGe and Starbase programs have grown during the past 9 years from
ideas into the most successful programs of their types in the United States.
ChalleNGe has grown from a pilot program of 10 States to a permanent program
with 25 States currently participating and more than 22,000 graduates.
Starbase has grown from 1 program to the 19 that exist today, and has been
adopted by the Navy and Air Force Reserve.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
DoD and NGB guidance.
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local Office: None.
Headquarters Office: NGB/NGB-YP (Youth Programs Division), 1411
Jefferson Davis Highway, JP1, Arlington, VA 22202-3221. Telephone: (703)
607-5975. (Use 327-5975 for DSN).
Web Site Address: http://www.ngb.dtic.mil/indexstm/.
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
ChalleNGe, Youth Conservation, and STARBASE.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
States shall submit annual financial plans which will be reviewed,
prioritized, and approved by the appropriate NGB Program Manager.
