[§367D-7]  Model programs; office of youth services.  Subject to funding by the legislature, the director of the office of youth services shall foster a gender-responsive environment by providing model gender-responsive programs for female adjudicated youth that are responsive to statewide needs and geographical areas and shall award contracts for the programs.  The gender-responsive environment and programs shall:

     (1)  Respond in a rehabilitative way to the type of offenses female adjudicated youth generally commit and address pathways to crime;

     (2)  Respond to the problems of female adjudicated youth with dependent children;

     (3)  Respond to the importance of developing self-determination through education; employment training; special education to the learning disabled; and social, cognitive, communication, and life skills training;

     (4)  Assist female adjudicated youth in overcoming their own extreme degree of dependency by developing and fostering strong and healthy relationships without losing self-esteem;

     (5)  Respond appropriately to the specific health care needs of girls and women, including but not limited to mental health and substance abuse services;

     (6)  Offer transitional support for female adjudicated youth and their families to promote successful reentry into their families, schools, and communities; and

     (7)  Offer technical assistance and training toward the implementation of other similar programs. [L 2006, c 258, pt of §2]