DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Xavier D. Urrutia, Director
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Briefing on Youth Services
SUMMARY:
Briefing on Youth Services
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City of San Antonio continues efforts focused on youth to develop them into successful, engaged and contributing members of the community. The Human Services Department, Parks and Recreation, Metropolitan Health District and other City departments employ a multi-pronged and holistic strategy to provide services and support to San Antonio youth ages 6 to 24 centered on educational success, college & career readiness, and health & strengthening.
Educational Success
Programming centered on educational success focuses on mentoring, tutoring, academic enrichment and civic engagement. Out of- and After-school programming cultivates education while promoting skills that encourage positive lifestyle habits and self-confidence. These skills help youth successfully navigate through at-risk family and neighborhood environments, encouraging them to stay in school and achieve academic success.
College & Career Readiness
The U.S. Department of Education highlights the growing consensus of the need for America’s students to be prepared with advanced skills in order to enter the post-secondary academic and job arenas. City programming provides access to opportunities to prepare San Antonio youth for post-secondary education as well as entry into the local workforce via young adult re-engagement, youth employment, career exploration, scholarship access, and college retention initiatives.
Health & Strengthening
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that good health is associated with academic success. Health risks such as poor dietary choice, inadequate physical activity, and social pressures and behaviors impact how well students perform in school. City programming is offered to address health and strengthening highlighting nutrition and healthy habits, life-saving skills, service learning, character building, and providing access to opportunities.
Through these various efforts, the City of San Antonio is invested in a comprehensive approach that focuses on a continuum of positive and engaging experiences and exposure to various healthy lifestyles, education options, and career opportunities.
ISSUE:
This briefing highlights the programming offered by the Human Services, Parks and Recreation, and the Health Departments focused on youth ages 6 to 24.
ALTERNATIVES:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
RECOMMENDATION:
This item is for briefing purposes only.