DEPARTMENT: Health
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Vincent R. Nathan, PhD, MPH
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: District 2
SUBJECT:
Youth Advocates for Violence Prevention
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of funds in an amount up to $100,000.00 from Urban Strategies, Inc. for a one (1) year term beginning January 1, 2017. This action also authorizes a proposed program budget for the execution of the project which will be incorporated into Metro Health’s Stand Up S.A. Program, formerly known as the Cure Violence Project.
Furthermore, this ordinance authorizes the Director of Metro Health to initiate, negotiate, and execute any and all necessary documents and grant contracts to effectuate the acceptance of the referenced funds, and to execute contract amendments pertaining to this contract, to include: a) carry-over funds, when ascertained and approved by the funding agency through a revised notice of award; b) line item budget revisions authorized by the funding agency; c) modifications to the performance measures authorized by the funding agency and listed in the contract so long as the terms of the amendment stay within the general parameters of the intent of the funding; and d) no cost extensions.
The above referenced budget includes two (2) Youth Advocate temporary positions who will serve as advocates for violence prevention in the community in a holistic capacity. They will work directly with other youth to serve a dual role: to model and assist in school and neighborhood- based grassroots strategies for disconnected youth and the wider community by integrating those youth in activities to promote healthy behavior and coping mechanisms and staying in school or returning to school; and to model a viable career path for other youth in public health work and help identify and connect at risk youth both in and out of school to educational, internship, and training opportunities within Metro Health and its partners.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On May 15, 2014, City Council authorized the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) and Metro Health to accept an invitation only grant award in the amount not to exceed $2,000,000.00 from the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division to support the Cure Violence Project (Stand Up S.A.) beginning March 1, 2014 and ending December 31, 2016. The initial award amount of $977,372.00 for the first 19 months was extended in an additional grant amount of $894,910.00 from January 1, 2016 through March 31, 2017.
Stand Up S.A. is a program designed to prevent violence by treating the issue like an infectious disease. The program is based on the Cure Violence model, an evidenced-based public health approach to reduce and prevent violence in our streets. Stand Up S.A. focuses on interrupting transmission, changing behaviors and community norms. In recent months a need has arisen to focus specifically on younger gang affiliated youth that are either still in school or involved with the juvenile justice system and aging into the adult justice system. Stand Up SA was approached by Urban Strategies, Inc., a prime stakeholder in the Eastpoint neighborhood, to supplement programming on the eastside with funds for two additional staff to work specifically with youth.
ISSUE:
The proposed ordinance continues City Council's policy of seeking intergovernmental financial assistance for City crime prevention and enforcement programs addressing violent crime and gang activity. The funding from Urban Strategies, Inc. will enhance the City's efforts in combating and reducing violent crime in San Antonio by helping catalyze and further advance the prevention and intervention of youth victimization and violence, especially youth gun and gang violence, by focusing efforts in partnership with Stand Up SA and other east-side youth focused efforts.
Youth Advocates will be challenged to build trust with high risk youth in order to influence their behavior and to redirect them to positive pursuits including jobs, job training, and returning to school.
ALTERNATIVES:
Current fiscal restrictions limit the City in employing an evidenced-based public health approach program for violence prevention. City Council can choose not to accept the funds not to exceed $100,000.00. However, Metro Health trains carefully selected members of the community, trusted insiders, to anticipate where violence may occur and intervene before it does. This program will not be supported in the event authorization is not granted.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Youth Advocates through Urban Strategies is a one (1) year project with an estimated amount up to $100,000 beginning January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017. The funds will cover two (2) temporary positions. There is no impact on the General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the approval of the funding for the Youth Advocates from Urban Strategies, Inc.