DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
The Aspen Institute Scaling Pathways for Opportunity Youth Grant
SUMMARY:
An Ordinance approving the acceptance of The Aspen Institute - Scaling Pathways for Opportunity Youth Grant in the amount of $20,000.00 for the period June 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020, and authorizing a budget.
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Human Services to initiate, negotiate, and execute any and all necessary documents and a grant contract to effectuate the acceptance of the referenced grant, 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 grant; d) no cost extensions; e) amendments which will provide supplemental grant funds to the grant by the funding agency in an amount up to 20% of the total amount awarded to the grant; f) reimbursement increases of administrative funds for each participant served; g) amendments funding one time equipment purchases or defined program services; and h) changes in regulations mandated by the funding agency, if awarded and matching funds are available in City’s budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The NXT Level Youth Opportunity Center opened in 2019 with a goal to support the nearly 34,000 individuals between the ages of 16 - 24 years of age living in Bexar County that are not in school or in the workforce. The Center’s mission is to connect opportunity youth to resources to coach them on approaches to meet their personal, educational and career goals. The staff does this by developing individualized plans for every person that comes through the door and with strategic partners in the education, workforce training and business sectors.
In March 2020, the Department of Human Services was selected by The Aspen Institute to apply for a planning grant for the purpose of creating an Opportunity Youth Pathways Scaling Plan for the NXT Level Youth Opportunity Center. DHS received Executive Leadership Team approval to apply for this grant opportunity on March, 19, 2020.
ISSUE:
On June 1, 2020, DHS received notification of award from The Aspen Institute in the amount of $20,000.00 for the period June 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. This ordinance authorizes acceptance of grant funds, and approves a budget.
The grant funding will assist in mapping resources and developing pathways for opportunity youth served at NXT Level to achieve and improve educational outcomes.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should this item not be approved, the City of San Antonio will not be able to considered for the Aspen Institute’s multi-year grant to fund the implementation of strategic pathway plan for opportunity youth developed with this planning grant.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This item has no financial impact to the City of San Antonio.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance to accept the grant award from The Aspen Institute in the amount of $20,000.00 for the period June 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020, and to authorize a budget.