Cadets

There are only a few times in life when you get a second chance.
The Hoosier Youth Challenge Academy is one of them.

Cadet Requirements

To participate, candidates must:

• Be 16-18 years old
• Be at-risk youth who have not graduated from high school, who were expelled, or who are deficient in high-school credits
• Be drug free
• Be unemployed or underemployed
• Have no felony convictions or pending court cases
• Volunteer to come to HYCA

There is NO MILITARY OBLIGATION for those who participate.

• In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

  Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

  To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

  1. Mail:
     U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
     1400 Independence Avenue, SW
     Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
  2. Fax:
     (202) 690-7442;
  3. Email:
     program.intake@usda.gov

  This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

• Los demás programas de asistencia nutricional del FNS, las agencias estatales y locales, y sus beneficiarios secundarios, deben publicar el siguiente Aviso de No Discriminación:

  De conformidad con la Ley Federal de Derechos Civiles y los reglamentos y políticas de derechos civiles del Departamento de Agricultura de los EE. UU. (USDA, por sus siglas en inglés), se prohíbe que el USDA, sus agencias, oficinas, empleados e instituciones que participan o administran programas del USDA discriminen sobre la base de raza, color, nacionalidad, sexo, discapacidad, edad, o en represalia o venganza por actividades previas de derechos civiles en algún programa o actividad realizados o financiados por el USDA.

  Las personas con discapacidades que necesiten medios alternativos para la comunicación de la información del programa (por ejemplo, sistema Braille, letras grandes, cintas de audio, lenguaje de señas americano, etc.), deben ponerse en contacto con la agencia (estatal o local) en la que solicitaron los beneficios. Las personas sordas, con dificultades de audición o discapacidades del habla pueden comunicarse con el USDA por medio del Federal Relay Service [Servicio Federal de Retransmisión] al (800) 877-8339. Además, la información del programa se puede proporcionar en otros idiomas.

  Para presentar una denuncia de discriminación, complete el Formulario de Denuncia de Discriminación del Programa del USDA, (AD-3027) que está disponible en línea en: Spanish_Form_508_Compliant_6_8_12_0. y en cualquier oficina del USDA, o bien escriba una carta dirigida al USDA e incluya en la carta toda la información solicitada en el formulario. Para solicitar una copia del formulario de denuncia, llame al (866) 632-9992. Haga llegar su formulario lleno o carta al USDA por:

  1. correo:
     U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
     1400 Independence Avenue, SW
     Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
  2. fax:
     (202) 690-7442;
  3. correo electrónico:
     program.intake@usda.gov.

  Esta institución es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.

Candidate Packing Lists

Each candidate will be required to download and follow a Candidate Packing List, which details the minimum required clothing and personal items allowed for the Residential Phase of the program. There will be an inspection of these items during In-Processing, and any unauthorized items will be placed in storage and returned at Home Pass. These standards are very important to the Academy. The intent of this policy is to follow the quasi-military atmosphere, which emphasizes strict rules of conduct and etiquette, and promotes a culture of cohesion and belonging.

Female Candidate Packing List (PDF)

Male Candidate Packing List (PDF)

Hair Standards

Female

• The hair must be kept neat, and clean at all times.
• No unnatural colors in the hair.
• The hair must not extend mid shoulders when hanging loosely. I.e. in a ponytail.
  • Locs, braids and twists are authorized; however, they must be able to go into a bun or ponytail neatly, without interfering with headgear.
  • Twists, locs and braids must not be any more than ½ inch in diameter.
  • Hair in braids, twists or locs must stop at one consistent location, and must follow the natural direction of the hair.
  • Locs, twists, and braids must not exceed past the mid shoulder.
  • Ends must be secured.
• Scrunchies, clips, and/or barrettes are not authorized.
• Ponytail holders must be hair color.
• Bobby pins are authorized.