Bureau of Land Management Youth Programs; DD: 06/12/2009

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240
http://www.blm.gov

May 15, 2009

In Reply Refer To:
1114 (172) P

EMS TRANSMISSION 05/20/2009
Information Bulletin No. 2009-076

To: All Field Officials

From: Director

Subject: Bureau of Land Management Youth Programs DD: 06/12/2009

Program Area: Environmental Education; Recreation and Visitor Services; Cultural and Paleontological Resources; Fish, Wildlife and Plant Conservation; Human Capital Management; Fire and Aviation; and National Landscape Conservation System.

Purpose: This Information Bulletin (IB) describes the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) new, coordinated approach to all youth programs throughout the Bureau. These include programs that encourage children to pursue healthy life-styles outdoors, educate them about our natural and cultural resources, and provide opportunities for them to serve as stewards and as resource professionals.

Policy/Action: Overall coordination of BLM’s Youth Programs will be the responsibility of the Director, Office of National Landscape Conservation System and Community Partnerships (WO-170). The BLM’s Youth Programs fall into three broad categories, with programs in each category to be administered at the Washington Office level as indicated below:
Early childhood through high school-age programs – Washington lead: WO-172
Project-based work and internships programs – Washington lead: to be decided
Career recruitment and retention programs – Washington lead: WO-700
While WO-170, 200, and 700 will play lead roles, it is important to note that BLM’s Youth Programs will involve all Directorates and all offices.

A Youth Programs Steering Committee, consisting of Field Committee members, National Operations Center representatives, and WO Assistant Directors, will provide broad direction and establish priorities for BLM’s Youth Programs under parameters set by the Department. A Working Group with representatives from affected Directorates in the WO (170, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800) will meet regularly to coordinate operational aspects of BLM’s Youth Programs,
including development of budget submissions and guidance to the Field as well as performance measures and other documentation of program effectiveness. While WO-170 has the lead, the Working Group will play a critical role in ensuring that all Directorates are involved in guiding the BLM’s Youth Programs.

Each State/Center Director should designate one Field or State Office employee as the State contact for the BLM’sYouth Programs. The State contact will be the central point of contact for all youth programs in the State and will be responsible for providing statewide coordination on data calls. The name, email address, and phone number of the State contacts should be sent to Betsy Wooster, WO-172, (Elizabeth_wooster@blm.gov) by June 12, 2009.

Timeframe: Effective immediately.

Budget Impact: Dependent on Departmental direction and Congressional action.

Background: Youth Programs are a priority for the White House, on Capitol Hill, and at the Department. The Department is in the process of establishing an Office of Youth Initiatives. The BLM must ready itself to participate fully in all components of youth initiatives—K-12 education, youth corps employment and service projects, and youth careers. Ideal positioning will require BLM Headquarters program offices and State Offices to take a direct, strategic approach to efficiently organizing, enhancing, implementing programs, and tracking program results.

Manual/Handbook Section Affected: None.

Coordination: This IB was coordinated with the BLM Executive Leadership Team.

Contact: Questions regarding this IB may be directed to Betsy Wooster, WO-172, Division of Education, Interpretation and Partnerships at (202) 452-7731.

Signed by: Authenticated by:
Mike Pool Robert M. Williams
Acting, Director Division of IRM Governance,WO-560