THE Governor’s Office has proposed a budget of $4.9 million for the Department of Youth Affairs, whose goal is to reduce youth crime by 15 percent and recidivism by 10 percent each year.

The proposed 2013 budget for DYA represents an increase of more than $600,000 from the current level of $4.3 million. The department had a budget of $4.1 million in 2011.

While maintaining its current staffing pattern, DYA vows to operate with qualified and well-trained staff and properly maintained  facilities and equipment.

According to its budget package, DYA’s mission is to develop and implement programs and services “that promote youth development, strengthen the family units and communities of these juvenile offenders, protect the public from serious, violent juvenile offenders, and to ensure the offenders are provided with appropriate treatment and are held accountable for their actions.”

DYA’s Division of Youth Corrections provides custody for an average of 51 juveniles per month.

The department’s 2010 citizen-centric report submitted to the Office of the Public Accountability showed a general decline in offenses between 2006 and 2009.

The number for violation of court order decreased from 270 to 236 during the four-year period covered by the report. “Beyond control” offenses dropped from 299 to 93; truancy went down from 120 to 41; and alcohol-related crimes plunged from 81 to 37. However, aggravated assault went up from 28 to 34.

Statistics for 2010 and 2011 were not immediately available at press time.

The youth correctional facility provides “treatment programs and services for juvenile offenders in order to develop positive behaviors and standards.”

Created in 1978, DYA used to be known as “the place where juvenile offenders were incarcerated.”

“A dramatic change in direction and emphasis was made in 1996 when the department’s main focus subsequently shifted toward juvenile delinquency prevention, treatment and aftercare,” DYA said in report.

Part of DYA’s mission is to “enhance and promote leadership skills and citizenship” for Guam’s youth.

The department also provides community-based youth resource centers for the development and implementation of program activities and outreach services to youth and families.