H.R. 3982 was introduced Monday and referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor, where Sablan is a member.
“We have many young people with great potential,” said Sablan, Ind.-MP. “But sometimes lack of money, or family or health problems, get in the way of their success. They drop out of school or they can’t find jobs. This bill, the RAISE UP act, is designed to help.”
H.R. 3982 makes money available to schools and local organizations that offer support services for disadvantaged youth.
The idea is to bring these groups together to coordinate their work.
The local partnerships would identify high school dropouts and connect them with academic assistance, workforce preparation, mental health and drug treatment, and housing services.
“Working together, these organizations can address all of the reasons these bright young people have not been able to complete school. By getting them this assistance, we can help them secure a diploma or postsecondary educational credential, and a career,” Sablan said.
He said the RAISE UP bill is one more piece of his overall strategy to pump up education and educational opportunity for the people of the Northern Marianas.
“Our success as a society — 30 to 50 years down the road — depends on how well we educate ourselves today. And success for individual young people depends on getting them access to all the services that can help them with education and job training. I think this bill will help them change their lives for the better.”
