Oregon Revised Statutes Human Services; Juvenile Code; Corrections § 418.658

(1) The program director of the Oregon Youth Conservation Corps shall establish a separate program known as the Oregon Community Stewardship Corps. In addition to the established purposes of the Oregon Youth Conservation Corps, the purpose of the Oregon Community Stewardship Corps is to promote community service activities throughout the state for a broad cross section of Oregon disadvantaged and at-risk youth through programs that also include appropriate educational and job training opportunities for participants.

(2) In addition to projects submitted under ORS 418.660 (1), projects of the Oregon Community Stewardship Corps may include, but shall not be limited to:

(3) The Oregon Community Stewardship Corps shall offer employment and educational opportunities of at least three but not more than 12 months' duration for selected participants.

(4) Under rules adopted by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, participants who successfully complete any 12-month program under this section shall be eligible for $1,500 in tuition vouchers that can be used at any career school or post-secondary educational institution that is qualified to receive assistance through the Executive Director of the Office of Student Access and Completion.

(5) All Oregonians who are at least 13 years of age and under 25 years of age are eligible to participate in the program. To ensure that Oregon Community Stewardship Corps participants represent a broad cross section of Oregonians, special emphasis shall be given to recruiting school dropouts and other disadvantaged and at-risk youth, according to criteria established by the Oregon Youth Conservation Corps Advisory Committee.

(6) To the extent practicable, the program director shall enlist state and federal agencies, local government, nonprofit organizations and private businesses, and any combination of such entities, to act as sponsors for programs administered under this section. Selection of sponsors shall be based on criteria that include the following:

(7) In consultation with the advisory committee and the Director of the Office of Community Colleges and Workforce Development, the program director shall make grants for programs administered under this section.