TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all documents, and any needed subsequent amendments, with The California Endowment, to accept funds totaling $75,000 to implement the Promising Adults, Tomorrow's Hope program that will assist young adults age 16-24 gain employment and educational skills, for a period of one year; and
Increase appropriations in the Community Development Grants Fund (SR 150) in the Economic and Property Development Department (EP) by $75,000. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Pacific Gateway administers various employment and educational training programs through its Career Transition Center, Harbor Gateway WorkSource Center, Youth Opportunity Center, and partnerships with selected community organizations. These programs assist individuals in acquiring various skills leading to educational successes and employment in high demand occupations by local employers.
Last year, Pacific Gateway, on behalf of the City of Long Beach, submitted a grant request to The California Endowment seeking funds to implement the Promising Adults, Tomorrow's Hope (P.A.T.H.) program. Initiated by Councilmember Rex Richardson to develop a young adult diversion pilot program in partnership with the City Prosecutor's Office and Pacific Gateway, P.A.T.H. will assist persons ages 16-24, by combining occupational training, mentoring, job placement, and post-secondary education as an alternative to criminal prosecution.
Pacific Gateway is receiving additional funds from The California Endowment to fully implement P.A.T.H. to improve outcomes by cultivating job-readiness for offenders ages 16-24. Under this collaboration, the City Prosecutor's Office will screen for appropriate cases, typically first-time and non-violent offenders, and make referrals to a case manager working with Pacific Gateway. After an assessment, the offender's diversion program may include workforce training, life skills development, job placement, and/or educational assistance, along with mentoring. If the individual successfully completes the program, his/her charges may be dropped or reduced.
The City calculates its youth unemployment rate (ages 16-19) at 27.6 percent, and young adults (ages 20-24) at 20.7 percent, higher than both the State and national average. The unemployment rate for boys of color is even greater.
According to the United States Department of Justice, "Advances in brain science confirm that the brain does not finish developing until a person is well into his or her 20s." Young brains are more "malleable to appropriate interventions" and that such interventions can provide "an opportunity to deter future criminal activity, improve life outcomes, and advance public safety." P.A.T.H. attempts to accomplish dual goals of improving health and employment outcomes while reducing youth involvement in the justice system.
The proposed project fills an important gap for disconnected youth in Long Beach. Currently, several programs provide supportive services in gang reduction, youth employment and other related areas, but the proposed project would work to thread these individual resources together into a unified, systemic solution for youth who have contact with the justice system. The program's team is in the unique position of being able to harness public resources and affect life-impacting decisions for youth.
Community-based organizations, many representing Latino, African-American, and Cambodian youth populations, or specific neighborhoods within Long Beach's population of 470,000, will make up an important part of the program's programmatic framework. These organizations, many of which have contributed to the program's design, will contribute supportive resources, recruitment efforts, and continue to provide ongoing leadership to ensure the program is relevant and effective, and is complementary to existing programs.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Webber and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on February 10,2016.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on February 23, 2016, in order to facilitate processing of the required documents.
FISCAL IMPACT
Pacific Gateway will receive up to $75,000 from The California Endowment. An appropriation increase in the Community Development Grants Fund (SR 150) in the Department of Economic and Property Development (EP) in the amount of $75,000 is requested. The grant does not require matching funds. Implementation of this program design will result in a positive local job impact through the services provided to young adults in the community.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
MICHAEL CONWAY
DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC AND PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER