THE NGYF SUPPORTS THE NATIONAL GUARD YOUTH CHALLENGE PROGRAM (NGYCP) AND ADVOCATES ON ITS BEHALF. JOINTLY FUNDED BY THE FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS, NGYCP PROVIDES A 17-MONTH RIGOROUS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM, INCLUDING A 22-WEEK LONG RESIDENTIAL PHASE, FOR HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUTS. PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE ACADEMIC TRAINING LEADING TO CREDIT RECOVERY, A GED, OR A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA AS WELL AS EXTENSIVE TRAINING IN LEADERSHIP AND LIFE SKILLS.THE FOUNDATION'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PROGRAM INCLUDE RAISING NATIONAL AWARENESS ABOUT THE HIGH SCHOOL COMPLETION CRISIS AND THE NATIONAL GUARD YOUTH CHALLENGE SOLUTION; ADVOCATING TO STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS FOR FUNDING AND SUPPORT, IN COORDINATION WITH STATE FOUNDATIONS; SOLICITING PARTNERS TO ENHANCE QUALITY AND POST-GRADUATION PERFORMANCE; AND ENSURING MEASUREMENT OF THE PROGRAM'S IMPACT, EFFECTIVENESS AND COST/BENEFIT RETURN-ON-INVESTMENT.