Native Youth Initiative for Leadership, Empowerment, and Development (I-LEAD)

This FOA has been modified. Updates have been made to the application package to include the most recent OMB-approved version of the Objective Work Plan. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Administration for Native Americans (ANA) announces the availability of Fiscal Year 2018 funds for the Native Youth Initiative for Leadership, Empowerment, and Development (I-LEAD). I-LEAD is a special initiative established under ANA’s Social and Economic Development Strategies (SEDS) program. I-LEAD provides support for community-based initiatives that empower Native youth to address priorities identified by such youth and include youth-focused leadership. Projects are funded to develop models, approaches and strategies to foster resiliency and build upon Native youth's inherent capacities to thrive. Native youth will contribute to the accomplishment of objectives that promote economic and social self-sufficiency for Native Americans, contribute to community well-being, increase the capacity of tribal governments, strengthen families, and implement culturally appropriate strategies to meet the social service needs of Native Americans. The I-LEAD program will ensure project funding is provided to support youth-driven and youth-focused services and activities related to social and economic development, in order to promote the self-sufficiency of tomorrow’s leaders in Native American communities.