Indiana’s Hoosier Youth Challenge Academy, located in Knightstown, offers military-based training to unemployed/underemployed, crime-free and drug-free high-school dropouts 16-18 years of age. HYCA trains and mentors these youth to develop the values, skills, education and self-discipline to become successful young adults. The program is ideal for high-school-age youth who are not on a disciplined path to learn the skills they need to change the outcome of their current life situation and to graduate from high school.
The free program is a 17.5 month commitment, including an in-depth screening process, two-week acclimation phase, five-month residential phase and a yearlong post-residential mentorship phase to help graduates with career and life goal achievements. There is NO MILITARY OBLIGATION for those who participate.
HYCA is part of the National Youth Challenge Program established in 1993 by the National Guard. There are 40 Youth Challenge Academies in the United States. Former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels and former Indiana National Guard Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger established the Hoosier Youth Challenge Academy in 2007.
School Partnerships
Cadets have the opportunity to pursue different education tracks through HYCA’s local school partnership.
- Cadets may continue to progress toward earning their high-school diploma through credit-earning classes as they complete HYCA's eight core components. Cadets will take additional courses through New Castle School Corporation for credit.
- Alternatively, Cadets can attain their High School Equivalency Diploma through our partnership with Adult Basic Education, a program offered to Indiana residents 100% tuition free (no cost to parents or cadets). Cadets on this track are encouraged and assisted to continue their education at a college, trade or technical school, or military environment. These Cadets are given the opportunity to test for their HSE diploma while in the program, and receive additional assistance from a Mentor, including with their Post Resident Action Plan (PRAP), to create goals for when they leave the residential part of the program.
- Hoosier Youth Challenge Academy participates in the Indiana School Lunch Program.
Wellness Policy
The Hoosier Youth Challenge Academy supports the health and well-being of our students by promoting nutrition and physical activity.
In accordance with federal law, it is the policy of the Hoosier Youth Challenge Academy to provide students access to healthy foods and beverages; provide opportunities for developmentally appropriate physical activity; and require that all meals served by the Academy meet or exceed the federal nutritional guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. An Academy Health Advisory Council will be formed and maintained to oversee these activities.
The School Wellness Policy shall be made available to all students and families by means of our application, the student handbook, and the Academy’s website.
LEGAL REFERENCE:
42 U.S.C. 1758b
7 CFR Part 210
I.C. 20-59-9-18.5
- I. Coordinated School Health Advisory Council
The board will engage parents/guardians, food service professionals, teachers of physical education, students, school health care professionals, school board members, school administrators, and other interested community members in developing, implementing, monitoring and reviewing corporation-wide nutrition and physical activity policies. A Coordinated School Health Advisory Council will be formed and maintained at the corporation level to oversee the development, implementation and evaluation of the school corporation’s wellness policy.
A. In accordance with state and federal law, the Academy will form and maintain a Health Advisory Council that includes at the following:
- Deputy Director
- Registered Nurse
- 1SG
- Food Service Management Company Representative
- Hoosier Youth Foundation Board Member
- Options Charter School Instructor
- Adult Basic Education Instructor
- Parents/Guardians
B. The Advisory Council shall meet at least annually to review nutrition and physical activity policies and to develop an action plan for the coming year. The Council shall meet as needed during the Academy year to discuss implementation activities and address barriers and challenges.
C. The Advisory Council shall report annually to the Academy Director on the implementation of the wellness policy and include any recommended changes or revisions.
D. The Director will adopt or revise nutrition and physical activity policies based on recommendations made by the Advisory Council.
- II. Nutrition Education and Nutrition Promotion
Nutrition topics shall be integrated within the comprehensive health education curriculum and taught at the Academy according to standards of the Indiana Department of Education. The Academy will link nutrition education activities with existing coordinated school health programs or other comparable comprehensive school health promotion frameworks. Nutrition education will include lessons that cover topics such as how to read and use food labels, choosing healthy options and portion control.
Administrative Regulations
Nutrition Education
- Nutrition education will be provided as part of the Academy’s comprehensive health education program.
- The Academy will provide nutrition education training opportunities to staff for in accordance with State policies.
Nutrition Promotion
- Nutrition promotion will include lessons that cover topics such as how to read and use food labels, choosing healthy options and portion control.
- Academy staff will collaborate with community groups and organizations to provide opportunities for student projects related to nutrition (e.g., cultivating school gardens, reading food labels and maintaining a caloric balance between food intake and physical activity/exercise).
- III. Standards for USDA Nutrition Programs and School Meals
The Academy will provide and promote the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs to ensure that all students have access to healthy foods to support healthier choices and promote optimal learning.
Administrative Regulations
A. School Meal Content
- Meals served through the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs will:
- Be appealing and appetizing to children;
- Meet, at a minimum, the nutrition requirements established by the USDA for federally funded programs;
- Contain 0 percent trans fats;
- Offer a variety of fruits and vegetables;
- 100 percent of the grains offered are whole grain-rich.
- The food services department will share and publicize information about the nutritional content of meals with students and parents/guardians. The information will be available in a variety of forms that can include handouts, the Academy website, the Academy newsletter, and through any other appropriate means available to reach families.
- All cooked foods will be baked or steamed. Proper procurement procedures and preparation methods will be used to decrease excess fat, calorie and sodium levels in food.
- The Academy will purchase or obtain fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers when practical.
- Special dietary needs of students will be considered when planning meals, according to the document Accommodating Children with Special Dietary Needs in the School Nutrition Programs.
B. School Meal Participation
The Academy will provide the USDA School Breakfast Program and Lunch Program to all students.
C. Mealtimes and Scheduling
- Adequate time will be provided to students to eat lunch (at least 12 minutes after being served) and breakfast (at least 12 minutes after being served).
- Appropriate supervision will be provided in the cafeteria and rules for safe behavior shall be consistently enforced.
- School meals will be served in clean and pleasant settings.
- Students will have convenient access to hand-washing and sanitizing stations.
- Potable (drinking) water must be readily available at all mealtimes.
- Meals served through the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs will:
- IV. Nutrition Standards for Competitive and Other Foods and Beverages
A. The Academy will provide and allow foods and beverages that support proper nutrition, promote healthy choices, and comply with federal nutrition standards in vending machines, school stores and concession stands. This also includes food and beverages brought into the Academy for such events as classroom celebrations.
No fundraisers selling food items will be allowed at the Academy during the school day.
B. The Academy will allow marketing in school buildings and on school grounds during the school day for only those food and beverages provided by the school that meet the federal nutrition standards. Marketing that promotes student health will be permitted in school buildings and on school grounds.
Administrative Regulations
A. Approved Nutrition Standards, based on the nutrition standards of the Institute of Medicine (2007).
Foods outside of school meals shall be:
- No more than 30 percent of total calories from fat,
- 100 percent of the grains offered are whole grain-rich.
- Less than 10 percent of total calories from saturated fats,
- 0 percent trans fats,
- No more than 35 percent of calories from total sugars,
- No more than 200 milligrams of sodium per portion as packaged,
- No more than 200 calories per package, and
Beverages outside of school meals shall be limited to:
- Water without flavoring, additives, or carbonation,
- All beverages other than water, white milk or juice shall be no larger than 12 ounces.
- Low-fat and nonfat milk (in 8- to 12-ounce portions),
- 100% fruit juice in 4-ounce portions as packaged for elementary/middle school and 8 ounces (2 portions) for high school, and
- All beverages other than water, white milk or juice shall be no larger than 12 ounces.
B. Availability
- Vending machines are not to be accessible to students.
- Students and staff will have free, potable (drinking) water for consumption available throughout the school building.
- Food and beverages will not be sold in school stores.
C. Classroom Celebrations
- Classroom celebrations will focus on activities (e.g., giving free time, extra recess, music and reading time) rather than on food.
- Classroom celebrations that include food will be limited to one per month. Food items must comply with federal nutrition standards.
D. Food as a Reward or Punishment
- Teachers and staff will not use food as a reward. For example, the use of sugar-sweetened beverages or candy as a classroom reward at any school is not appropriate.
- Academy staff will not withhold food or drink at mealtimes as punishment.
E. Fundraisers
Fundraising is prohibited.
F. Non-sold food and beverages:
Non-sold food and beverages will comply with federal nutrition standards.
G. Marketing
Signage or similar media on school campus during the school day may only advertise food and/or beverages provided and sold by the school that meet the competitive foods standards for foods sold in schools (i.e. Smart Snacks).
- V. Physical Activity and Physical Education
The Academy supports the health and well-being of students by promoting physical activity through physical education, recess and other physical activity breaks; and before- and after-school activities.
Administrative Regulations
A. Physical Education
- All Academy students participate in physical education in order to meet the Physical Fitness requirements of the program.
- The physical education program shall be provided adequate space and equipment to ensure quality physical education classes for students.
- VI. Other Activities that Promote Student Wellness
The Academy supports the health and well-being of our students and staff by creating and promoting policy and environmental supports to provide physical activity and healthy eating opportunities. Educational presentations on health and wellness will be conducted at least twice each school year.
Students will have access to free palatable drinking water during the school day. Teachers allow use of Canteens during classroom periods.
- VII. Evaluation
Through implementation and enforcement of this policy, the Academy will create an environment that supports opportunities for physical activity and healthy eating behaviors. To ensure continuing progress, the Academy will evaluate implementation efforts and their impact on students and staff at least every three years.
The Academy Director will ensure compliance with this policy and its administrative regulations. The Director is responsible for retaining all documentation of compliance with this policy and its regulations, including but not limited to each three-year assessment and evaluation report and this wellness policy and plan. The Director will also be responsible for public notification of the three-year assessment and evaluation report, including any updates to this policy made as a result of the Academy’s three-year assessment and evaluation.
Administrative Regulations
A. Implementation and Data Collection
- The Academy will use an evidence-based assessment tool to track the collective health of students over time by collecting data such as body composition (height and weight), aerobic capacity, and/or muscular strength, endurance and flexibility.
- The Director and Deputy Director shall ensure compliance with the Academy’s wellness policy every three years by assessing wellness implementation strategies. The Academy will retain triennial written reports contain the following information: the Academy’s progress toward meeting the wellness goals over the previous three years; the website address for the wellness policy and how the public can receive a copy of the policy; a description of the progress in meeting the goals, a summary of the event or activities related to the implementation of the policy; the name, position, and contact information of the Academy official coordinating the health advisory council or the wellness team; and information on how individuals and the public can get involved with the wellness team.
- The evaluation of the wellness policy and implementation will be directed by the Academy Health Advisory Council and will be responsible for the three-year assessment of compliance with the policy and its regulations. The three-year assessment must measure the implementation of this policy and its regulations; the extent of compliance with the policy; the extent this policy compares to other model school wellness policies; and a description of the progress made in attaining the goals of the wellness policy. As a result of this assessment and evaluation the policy and regulations will be revised as needed.
- The three-year assessment and evaluation report will be made available posting it on the Academy website.
