Illinois State University will be trying to help at risk youth become productive adults. Ani Yazedjian is the Chair of ISU's Family and Consumer Sciences Department. She says a five million dollar federal grant over five years will allow intensive training on a variety of topics for low income people in Champaign County ages 15-24.
Other training includes job readiness, and financial literacy. There are also community college tuition waivers available.
Yazedjian says similar grants for teen parents in Texas improved outcomes and economic stability.
The ISU professors and student interns staffing the Health and Human Services CARE4U grant will also work with the Champaign County United Way and Champaign Urbana Cradle to Career to keep the at risk youth moving in the right direction.