DEPARTMENT: Neighborhood and Housing Services Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Verónica R. Soto
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council Districts 4 and 5
SUBJECT:
Support for the United Way Application of Westside Promise Neighborhood Grant
SUMMARY:
The United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County wishes to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with City of San Antonio, San Antonio Independent School District, San Antonio Housing Authority and Bethel Prevention Coalition as required by the grant application under the U.S Department of Education Promise Neighborhood Program.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County (United Way), a 2010 Planning and 2011 Implementation Promise Neighborhood grantee, is seeking federal grant funding as the lead entity on behalf of the Westside Promise Neighborhood (WPN) Advisory Board to implement a continuum of solutions intentionally selected to improve specific educational and developmental outcomes for over 3,000 students from the campuses of Lanier High School, Tafolla Middle School, and JT Brackenridge Elementary School from San Antonio’s historic Westside. The solutions feature a cradle-to-career continuum that will build on and expand educational school reform initiatives piloted in a geography to a new neighborhood/school feeder pattern, that will yield micro (individual children and families) and macro-level (school system and neighborhood revitalization) change.
If approved by City Council, The City would commit to working with United Way to launch multiple planned and previously funded, long-term municipal infrastructure enhancements that enhance walkability, bike routes and public transportation; continue successful community policing strategies; continue neighborhood sweeps in the attendance zone; and generally expand the availability of other wraparound services in the neighborhood.
ISSUE:
This item is a Resolution of Support for the United Way of San Antonio application of the Westside Promise Neighborhood Grant and approval of a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding with the City of San Antonio, United Way of San Antonio, San Antonio Independent School District, San Antonio Housing Authority and Bethel Prevention Coalition for the Westside Promise Neighborhood Advisory Board. The City would commit to provide In-Kind contributions, funded and prior municipal infrastructure enhancements and related wraparound services in support should the grant be awarded.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City may identify alternative methods for addressing issues of poverty within the City of San Antonio.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The City would not need to fund any new investments in services or infrastructure beyond those already funded. This grant allows for dollar match to be credited from in-kind services to be received by children/residents of the Westside Promise Neighborhood. The services provided by the City include Head Start, Pre-K 4 SA competitive grants, and 2017 Bond projects in the 78207 footprint in the Westside Promise Neighborhood.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this Resolution of Support.