TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution supporting President Obama's "My Brother's Keeper" Community Challenge; and receive and file a status report on efforts with the City of Long Beach in support of this initiative. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On October 14, 2014, City Council requested the City Manager provide a report within 90 days on President Obama's "My Brother's Keeper" (MBK) Community Challenge. City Council also requested methods on how the City of Long Beach can support the initiative to improve life outcomes and overcome barriers to success for young men of color in Long Beach. The City Council motion requested information on six components related to MBK.
The MBK Federal Taskforce report details recommendations for improving outcomes for boys and young men of color, with specific focus on youth jobs and internships, violence prevention, and community-oriented policing. It is recommended that local jurisdictions work with employers, mayors and others to expand summer jobs and internships, and enhance the quality of existing programs. The local effort should focus on investing in infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and job training. Also, it should further the work of violence prevention by integrating the public health approach and enhance collaboration between federal leaders, state leaders, mayors, and others to implement and scale up successful violence and gang prevention initiatives currently underway. Lastly, the local police department, along with the community, should continue to promote community-oriented policing strategies and efforts to build trust between communities and law enforcement.
There are several City programs that support MBK which are captured in the Safe Long Beach Violence Prevention Plan (Safe Long Beach). Safe Long Beach is the City's comprehensive effort designed to address all forms of violence, including child abuse, domestic violence, hate crimes, bullying, gang violence, and violent crime. Safe Long Beach Workgroups consisting of government agencies, the school district, local colleges, hospitals, and community- and faith-based organizations have been established to implement Safe Long Beach. In addition, the City of Long Beach was recently named a US Department of Justice National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention, and staff is working on developing a youth violence prevention component to the plan. Under Safe Long Beach, the Long Beach Gang Reduction, Intervention & Prevention (LBGRIP) program engages at-risk youth through services such as mentoring, employment programs, and wraparound services. In addition, Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network has initiated internships and summer job programs that seek to employ youth, which include young men of color.
Community-based and faith-based organizations in Long Beach operate sixty-one (61) programs and services for boys and young men of color, ranging from mentorship, educational enrichment, physical and mental health, and employment opportunities. These organizations will work in coordination with the City's MBK Community Challenge through participation in the Safe Long Beach Workgroups and LBGRIP Advisory Meetings.
Staff will continue to collaborate with the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) on efforts such as the Long Beach College Promise, Safe Long Beach, and the Male Academy. The Long Beach College Promise is an alliance between the City of Long Beach, LBUSD, Long Beach Community College (LBCC), and California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). The Long Beach College Promise provides college preparation, a free semester of tuition at LBCC, guaranteed admission to CSULB for students meeting entrance requirements, and other supportive services between matriculation and graduation day.
The LBUSD Male Academy is a program that provides mentorship, academic support and leadership development for young men of color attending high school. The mission of the Male Academy is to improve the graduation rate of underrepresented male students, and to encourage lifelong learning by preparing them for college and career options. LBUSD will continue to collaborate on the above stated efforts through participation in the Safe Long Beach Workgroups.
In order to codify the City's efforts, it is requested that the City Council adopt a Resolution supporting these efforts and others as part of the MBK initiative. In addition, the MBK Community Challenge calls upon mayors and other city leaders to convene a Local Action Summit within 45 days of accepting the challenge. This Summit would include key public and private sector stakeholders to assess needs, determine priorities and develop objectives. Assuming the City Council wishes to proceed, staff anticipates the Summit would be held by mid March 2015. The City would then conduct a policy review, form recommendations for action, and publicly launch an action plan for accomplishing the agreed-upon goals and objectives.
This matter was reviewed by Assistant City Attorney Michael J. Mais and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on December 31, 2014.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
On October 14, 2014, City Council requested a report on MBK within 90 days. City Council action is requested on January 20, 2015 to respond to this request.
FISCAL IMPACT
The fiscal impact associated with this item is unknown at this time. If additional appropriations are required, they will be requested at a future date.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH SUPPORTING PRESIDENT OBAMA'S "MY BROTHER'S KEEPER" COMMUNITY CHALLENGE.
Respectfully Submitted,
AMY J. BODEK, AICP
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER