TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and any necessary documents, subcontracts or subsequent amendments, including amendments to the award amount, with the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation to accept and expend grant funding in the amount of $1,500,000 for the Futures First, Office of Youth Development, for a three-year period beginning May 1, 2022, with the option to extend for three additional one-year periods, at the discretion of the City Manager; and
Increase appropriations in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department by $1,500,000 offset by grant revenues. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Health and Human Services Department - Office of Youth Development (DHHS-OYD) will partner with Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network (PGWIN) to implement and evaluate the Futures First Program. The Futures First Program will adopt a framework based on positive youth development, an evidence-based approach that is focused on building and nurturing the beliefs, behaviors, knowledge, attributes, and skills of all young people. Disconnected youth, herein referred to as opportunity youth, are youth between the ages of 16-24 that are no longer in school or working and face multiple life challenges. Among the many challenges is limited support by adult allies to affirm cultural, strength-based assets that ground opportunity youth with a sense of belonging, personal values, and confidence to overcome multiple systemic barriers. The Futures First Program will increase opportunity youth’s social-emotional intelligence and skills-based learning so they are better equipped to complete one of five career pathways that will increase their social-economic mobility offered through a partnership with PGWIN.
The Futures First Program will serve 300 opportunity youth over three years, with 150 of the youth to be specifically recruited for the PGWIN Space Beach Program, which strives to increase exposure to the space industry for the most disadvantaged youth. The remaining 150 youth will select one of the remaining four pathways (Dreams, College, Trade, and Social Entrepreneur pathways) to attain their educational and career goals. Youth will participate in the program ranging from six to fifteen months depending on their focus area and needs. Upon completion, program participants will be invited to participate in a three-month follow up session to ensure youth are well-resourced and to prevent additional disconnection. Support from the Hilton Foundation will help the DHHS-OYD prioritize multi-agency collaborations grounded in culturally-affirming and trauma-informed practices, standardize referral processes, and improve data sharing to enhance coordinated co-case management, resource sharing, and networking. The two primary program goals are to: 1) establish a robust systemic approach to support opportunity youth in Long Beach, and 2) increase access to culturally affirming supportive services and employment pathways for opportunity youth.
A program evaluator will be contracted to conduct a process and outcome evaluation for program improvement and to incorporate participant feedback. This will be a joint evaluation process between PGWIN and the DHHS-OYD to leverage resources and talents. Evaluation data will be collected from program participants, partners and staff. Data collection protocols will be developed by the evaluator and the Institutional Review Board to allow for the use of data in future publications. Data collected through this process will include program participant characteristics, pre and post program perceptions of services delivered, program preparatory training, skills training workshops and career pathway choice. Additionally, data will be collected from the various program partners and staff to better understand how department processes impede or support opportunity youth advancement. Staff and partner focus group data, meeting notes, and program participant data will help inform a continuous quality improvement process towards establishing a systems approach for opportunity youth in Long Beach.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Taylor M. Anderson on March 24, 2022 and by Budget Analysis Officer Greg Sorensen on March 31, 2022.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on April 19, 2022, to allow the Health and Human Services Department to begin implementation of the program as soon as possible.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will receive funding in the amount of $1,500,000 for a three-year period estimated to begin May 1, 2022. An appropriation increase of $1,500,000 is requested in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department, offset by grant revenue. No match or in-kind service mandate is required. This recommendation has minimal staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. Grant revenues will offset the cost of one additional full-time employee required to meet the scope of required services outlined by the grant. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER