Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) is a unique partnership of federal, state, and local agencies committed to providing a long-term solution to the high school dropout problem.  Statewide program coordination is the responsibility of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.  The Y.O.U. advisory board, drawn from both the private and public sectors, guides the program to meet the needs of at-risk youth.

The university based work-study program is financed by the federal Workforce Investment Act which is administered by statewide Workforce Investment Areas.  Workforce Investment Area staff in coordination with local school personnel identify and select the students from their region for the program.  Applicants are encouraged to contact their school counselors or local WIA Workforce Investment Areas.  In order to participate as a host, universities must have the appropriate facilities to support a residential program for a minimum of 50 students.

The four-year follow-up program, which is funded by the State of Arkansas, provides continuity and support for Y.O.U. graduates during their high school years, as well as longitudinal data for program accountability.  The Arkansas Department of Higher Education awards follow-up grants to participating universities based on the number of program graduates enrolled in the university's follow-up program.

For Further Information: LeAnne Bird, Y.O.U. State Coordinator, 501-371-2038, Fax 501-371-2002, leanneb@adhe.arknet.edu