DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT: SA2020 Commission on Education & San Antonio Youth Commission Policy Recommendations with the Higher Education Advisory Board providing remarks regarding DHS commission restructuring
SUMMARY: This item provides policy recommendations from the SA2020 Commission on Education and the San Antonio Youth Commission (SAYC) and a briefing on the status of the Higher Education Advisory Board.
Human Services will also brief the Committee on proposed restructuring of three education related boards: SA2020 Commission on Education, San Antonio Youth Commission, and Higher Education Advisory Board.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
SA2020 Commission on Education- In FY 2019 the SA2020 Commission on Education chose to focus on evaluation of the $1 million dollar investment in internship programs managed or funded by the City of San Antonio.
The SA2020 Commission on Education was created in 2013 and includes eleven members appointed by the Mayor and each City Council member. The SA2020 Commission on Education serves in an advisory capacity to the Mayor and City Council on matters affecting the education of San Antonio residents.
San Antonio Youth Commission- In May of 2018 the SAYC presented to the Mayor and City Council on community issues important to San Antonio youth including youth voice in government, gun violence, teen health, and inequity in education. At that time, Council invited the SAYC to return with policy recommendations on the issues. The SAYC has since partnered with UTSA to conduct research and provide recommendations on these issues.
The San Antonio Youth Commission was created in 1991 and is comprised of twenty-two members appointed by the Mayor and each City Council member. The SAYC serves in an advisory capacity to the Mayor and City Council on matters affecting the youth of San Antonio residents.
Commission Restructuring- Earlier this year, the Human Services Department reviewed the SA2020 Commission on Education, San Antonio Youth Commission, and the Higher Education Advisory Board missions and by-laws to assess overlap in the scope of work and to ensure the Department is managing the Commissions effectively. Human Services met with all three Commissions to gather feedback and ideas regarding a potential consolidation.
ISSUE:
The SA2020 Commission on Education reviewed four internship programs funded by the City of San Antonio (The City Summer Ambassador Program, SA Works, Family Service, and Joven), identified gaps in services and compared programs to other internship programs in seven comparable cities. After reviewing the findings, the commission developed three policy recommendations for the consideration of the Mayor and City Council as outlined in Attachment A.
The San Antonio Youth Commission has identified issues affecting San Antonio youth related to Education, Gun Violence, Teen Mental Health, and Transportation. After reviewing research and gaining community input from peers, the San Antonio Youth Commission outlined four policy recommendations for the consideration of the Mayor and City Council as outlined in Attachment B.
ALTERNATIVES:
The review and consideration of the items in this memorandum are requested on behalf of commissions formed by the City of San Antonio.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no anticipated impact to the general fund as a result of these actions.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends review and consideration of the items included in this memorandum.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Attachment A: SA2020 Commission on Education Policy Recommendations
2. Attachment B: San Antonio Youth Commission Policy Recommendations