TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all documents with the United States Department of Education to receive a grant in the amount of $1,189,000, to operate the Long Beach Youth Career Academy pilot that will assist probationary youth ages 14-18; to execute all documents with various initiative partners in an amount totaling $475,000; and to execute any needed subsequent amendments. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Workforce Investment Network (Network) operates and funds various youth programs that provide assistance with education completion, with access to career and technical education and training, and with participation in internships and other workbased experiences. With assistance from Senator Dianne Feinstein, the City is receiving $1,189,000 in Congressional Earmark funds for education improvement activities that will augment youth services in the Network's service area through the Youth Career Academy pilot (Academy). Of the total $1,189,000 grant, $475,000 will be utilized through various initiative partners and the remaining funds will support the Network's grant oversight and management activities as well as operating expenses and participant-related services.
Tandem to systemic reforms adopted by the County's Board of Supervisors around transition of youth back into communities, the Network has been working closely with the County's Probation Department and the Long Beach Unified School District in creating a pilot strategy for better coordination of youth returning to Long Beach after residential detentions at Probation Camps. The grant funds will allow the Network to serve 120 such youth through piloted strategies of coordinated education and release planning while the youth is still in custody, through structured school placement and mentoring, and through layered career pathways and technical education activities over time.
This strategy will engage a cohort of youth who significantly contribute to delinquency, gang involvement, and other at-risk behaviors in the community. Key partners to the pilot project include the Unified School District, the County Probation Department, and Long Beach BLAST (Better Learning After School Today). Contracts for services through this project are requested as follows:
In support of this project and other coordinating strategies, the Probation Department will place probation officers onsite at the Youth Opportunity Center through a sub-lease previously authorized by the City Council.
This letter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary J. Anderson on September 1, 2009 and by Budget and Performance Management Bureau Manager David Wodynski on September 3,2009.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on September 22, 2009 in order to facilitate processing of required documents.
FISCAL IMPACT
Sufficient funds are currently appropriated in the Community Development Grants Fund (SR 150) in the Department of Community Development (CD). There is no impact to the General Fund.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
DENNIS J. THYS
DIRECTOR
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
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APPROVED: |
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |