Indianapolis gets $700K grant for push to help at-risk youth

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Indianapolis has landed a nearly $700,000 federal grant to help youths who are at risk of dropping out of school or being drawn into lives of crime.

The grant announced Monday makes Indianapolis one of nine U.S. communities that will test new strategies intended to help disconnected, at-risk youths by providing them with comprehensive services.

Indianapolis' grant from the U.S. Department of Education will benefit low-income youths between 14 and 24 who live at two city public housing projects.

The three-year pilot program is expected to help between 80 and 240 youths, including those at risk of dropping out of school and those who've already done so.

It's also intended to help unemployed or underemployed youths and those in the juvenile justice system.