SF 1762

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 04/03/2017 08:50am

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; establishing a grant to Voice of East African Women for
programs to reduce recruitment of East African youth by violent organizations;
establishing a grant to local governments with populations at risk for recruitment
by violent organizations; appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin EAST AFRICAN YOUTH AND FAMILY ANTIVIOLENCE OUTREACH
PROGRAM; APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin (a) $600,000 in fiscal year 2018 and $600,000 in fiscal year 2019 are appropriated from
the general fund to the commissioner of public safety for a grant to Voice of East African
Women for a youth and family antiviolence outreach program. Funds under this section
may be used to:
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new text begin (1) identify behaviors indicating that an individual is vulnerable to committing or being
the victim of bullying or interfamily, community, or domestic abuse;
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new text begin (2) identify and assess factors and influences that make East African youth vulnerable
to recruitment by violent organizations including but not limited to family dysfunction and
cultural disengagement;
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new text begin (3) develop strategies to reduce and eliminate abusive and bullying behaviors among
youth and adults within the East African community;
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new text begin (4) develop and implement strategies to reduce and eliminate the factors and influences
that make East African youth vulnerable to recruitment by violent organizations;
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new text begin (5) develop strategies, programs, and services to educate parents and other family
members to recognize and address behaviors indicating that youth are being recruited by
violent organizations; and
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new text begin (6) develop strategies, programs, and services, in collaboration with public entities and
other community and private organizations that provide services to at-risk youth and families,
to reduce and eliminate bullying, abusive behavior, and the vulnerability of East African
youth to recruitment by violent organizations. Prevention strategies, programs, and services
may include but are not limited to:
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new text begin (i) expressive and receptive communications programs including music, art, theater,
dance, and play designed to teach and develop appropriate skills for interfamily
communication;
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new text begin (ii) development of protective skills and positive coping skills to deal with bullying,
domestic abuse and interfamily violence, and violent confrontations in the community;
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new text begin (iii) culturally appropriate individual and family counseling focusing on communication
and interpersonal relations with the family and the East African community;
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new text begin (iv) after-school and summer programs for East African youth that are structured and
include components offering physical recreation, education enrichment, art, music, and
social activities that are culturally appropriate;
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new text begin (v) individual and family-oriented financial planning and management skill building;
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new text begin (vi) culturally appropriate individual and family counseling focusing on education and
employment counseling; and
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new text begin (vii) information regarding, and direct links to, entities that provide employment skills
training, job search and placement, and employment support activities and services.
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new text begin (b) Activities and services supported with funds available under this section may be
provided in collaboration with other organizations including but not limited to law
enforcement, state and local public agencies, interfaith organizations, nonprofit organizations,
and East African community organizations and stakeholders.
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new text begin (c) Voice of East African Women must direct one-third of the funds received under this
section to programs targeted at communities outside the seven-county metropolitan area,
as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 4, with identified populations who are at risk for
recruitment by violent organizations.
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Sec. 2. new text begin COMBATING VIOLENT ORGANIZATION RECRUITMENT;
APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $500,000 in fiscal year 2018 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of public safety for grants to local governments with identified populations who are at risk
for recruitment by violent organizations.
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