Bill To Create Indiana Youth Service Program Advances To Senate

A bill going to the Senate floor would create a program for high schoolers to try out careers while performing community service, called the Indiana Youth Service Program. 

The program would last for 10 weeks during the summer between a high school student’s junior and senior years. Public or private high school students could apply. A pilot group of students would be selected by a panel based on their curiosity, work ethic, and desire to serve others.

The bill did get some criticism. Sen. Chip Perfect (R-Lawrenceburg) says the idea is well-intentioned, but state agencies are already doing a lot to prepare students for careers as early as middle school. He says it would instead be better to focus on disenfranchised 30-year-olds and that the time has passed for new youth programs.

If the bill becomes law, the Independent Colleges of Indiana would have to send a draft of the pilot program to the General Assembly by December. 

Contact Justin at jhicks@wvpe.org or follow him on Twitter at @Hicks_JustinM.