The ISA has always taken special interest in the youth of the State of Illinois. One of the Association’s goals is for Illinois children to be healthy, educated adults able to cope with the pressures of today’s society. In the hopes of encouraging Illinois youth, the ISA created and implemented several youth programs:

 

In 1979, the ISA established a scholarship program for college-bound students. Scholarships ranging from $500 to $1000 are awarded to students who demonstrate outstanding scholastic, extra-curricular and character qualifications. Each Illinois county, whose Sheriff participates in the Associate Member program, receives at least one $500 scholarship. For every 500 Associate members in the Sheriffs county, he receives one scholarship. We also implemented a County Scholarship Special Appeal. All monies received from this appeal are used to award additional scholarships for the county in which they are received. Scholarships help pay tuition, books, and fees at an institution of higher learning in Illinois. The 2010-2011 scholarship application is now available click here to download an application.

 

Every summer 60 Illinois students attend the Illinois Teenage Institute on Substance Abuse (ITI) through the ISA scholarship. The ITI is a national, award winning prevention program of the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association. http://www.os-iti.org/  At each one week institute, high school students and professionals share information and have the opportunity or learn the differences between attitudes and facts to develop their ability to make better decisions and improve communications with their parents and peers. While making friends, they develop leadership skills, increase their knowledge and learn to prevent alcohol and drug addictions in their families and communities.