[§367D‑7]  Model programs; office of
youth services.  Subject to funding by the legislature, the director of the
office of youth services shall foster a gender-responsive environment by
providing model gender-responsive programs for female adjudicated youth that
are responsive to statewide needs and geographical areas and shall award
contracts for the programs.  The gender-responsive environment and programs
shall:



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



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



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



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



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



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



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