10-1-1402. Legislative intent. It is the intent of the legislature that:
(1) the youth challenge program assist youth between 16 and 18 years of age to achieve a quality education and develop the skills and abilities necessary to become productive citizens;
(2) the youth challenge program focus on the physical, emotional, and educational needs of youth within a voluntary, highly structured environment;
(3) eligible participants be drug-free, not be on parole or probation for other than juvenile-status offenses, not have been indicted for or charged with an offense other than a juvenile-status offense, and not have been convicted of a felony or capital offense;
(4) recruiting for the youth challenge program treat all eligible youth equitably and seek representation from different genders, ethnic groups, and geographic locations;
(5) the youth challenge program conduct structured training consisting of a residential phase and a postresidential phase with curriculum that focuses on academic excellence, including the successful completion of the tests for a high school equivalency diploma, and on physical fitness, job skills, service to the community, health and hygiene, responsible citizenship, leadership, how to follow directions, and life-coping skills; and
(6) the youth challenge program be conducted in cooperation with other community programs for at-risk youth.