[§367D‑7]  Model programs; office ofyouth services.  Subject to funding by the legislature, the director of theoffice of youth services shall foster a gender-responsive environment byproviding model gender-responsive programs for female adjudicated youth thatare responsive to statewide needs and geographical areas and shall awardcontracts for the programs.  The gender-responsive environment and programsshall:

(1)  Respond in a rehabilitative way to the type ofoffenses female adjudicated youth generally commit and address pathways tocrime;

(2)  Respond to the problems of female adjudicatedyouth with dependent children;

(3)  Respond to the importance of developingself-determination through education; employment training; special education tothe learning disabled; and social, cognitive, communication, and life skillstraining;

(4)  Assist female adjudicated youth in overcomingtheir own extreme degree of dependency by developing and fostering strong andhealthy relationships without losing self-esteem;

(5)  Respond appropriately to the specific health careneeds of girls and women, including but not limited to mental health andsubstance abuse services;

(6)  Offer transitional support for female adjudicatedyouth and their families to promote successful reentry into their families,schools, and communities; and

(7)  Offer technical assistance and training towardthe implementation of other similar programs. [L 2006, c 258, pt of §2]