PURPOSE

At the request of the City Council, staff is providing an update of past youth programs recommended by the Mayor�s Youth Task Force and approved by City Council. In addition, staff is requesting City Council authorization to fund and begin implementation of additional Mayor�s Youth Task Force recommended Youth Programs. As proposed, the Mayor�s Youth Task Force recommends the continuation of PeaceBuilders and the Middle School Grant Program, as well as implementing new programs addressing the needs for Youth Communication, a Teen Television Show, Police Youth Relations, and Counseling. Staff is requesting authorization to appropriate $285,000 from the previously established Youth Programs Holding Account.

BACKGROUND

It is the goal of the Mayor�s Youth Task Force to research and evaluate youth programs that address the needs of Burbank youth. In the past, several programs have been forwarded to City Council for funding and approval. Many of these programs have been incorporated into annual budgets, several are currently in progress, and additional projects are now being proposed based on recommendations from the 2001 Youth Solution Summit. Details of current programs can be found in the attached staff report presented to City Council in 2001. (ATTACHMENT A)

Current Mayor�s Youth Task Force Recommended Programs

PeaceBuilders

In June of 1999, City Council approved the appropriation of $150,000 to implement the PeaceBuilders program, a conflict resolution program targeting Burbank youth in kindergarten through fifth grade. As a result, the PeaceBuilders curriculum was implemented in each of the Burbank Unified School District elementary schools. Initial implementation of the PeaceBuilders program at the elementary schools proved to be very successful per reports from school guidance advisors at regular meetings. Burbank Unified School District Administrators conducted a formal evaluation of the PeaceBuilders program and concluded that the program was a success and worthy of continuing. In March of 2000, the program expanded to include City of Burbank afterschool program staff, the YMCA, and the Boys and Girls Club. A more extensive training program was conducted to train staff members of the City of Burbank, Burbank Unified School District, YMCA, Elmwood Achievement Center, and St. Frances Xavier School to be trainers of other staff members. The program branched out once again in April of 2002 to City of Burbank Library staff, School Resource Officers, Boys and Girls Club, and Got Wheels! drivers. There is now a recurring line item in the budget set aside for PeaceBuilders programming.

Got Wheels!

To address the need for youth transportation in the City of Burbank, City Council approved funding for a pilot program, Got Wheels!, in 1999. The program was so successful that the City Council included the funding for the Got Wheels! program in the recurring annual budget in the year 2000. This program provides free transportation to Burbank youth through a fixed route that circulates youth locations throughout Burbank. This year, the program served 2,800 youth registrants and provided 41,000 trips for youth participants in accordance with the performance indicators.

Youth Employment

City Council approved funding to begin the first Youth Employment Program in response to an urgent need for jobs for youth in the community. Burbank Employment and Student Training, the BEST Program, was the first Youth Employment Program and connects youth with private and non-profit businesses based on revenue offset. Due to the success of this initial program, the Youth Employment Programs have expanded greatly and are now recurring Park, Recreation and Community Services programs. The CREST Program (City Resources Employing Students Today) hires students to work in City Departments; Magnolia Park CREST is a program dedicated to students of Magnolia Park High School who have been diagnosed as being Severely Emotionally Disabled; Summer Trails is a job training program that serves the most difficult to place youth 14 and 15 years of age; and the Youth Employment Office offers direct placement, referral, and training opportunities for the Burbank community. Overall, the Youth Employment Programs serve approximately 500 youth annually.

Middle School Resource Coordinator

The position of Middle School Resource Coordinator was created to bridge the gap in services and programming for all youth, specifically those of middle school age. City Council approved the position of Middle School Resource Coordinator in 1999. As a result, several programs have been implemented to provide resources for youth, including the Youth Resource Guide. The Middle School Resource Coordinator is also the key staff member involved in the implementation of the Teens In Action programs and other youth programs recommended by the Mayor�s Youth Task Force.

Youth Resource Guide

As stated in the City Council adopted 10 Year Strategic Plan, �The City�s Youth Resource Guide is an attempt to develop a comprehensive directory of youth-related programs, activities and services.� The first edition of the Youth Resource Guide was printed in 2001. This past year has included the printing and distribution of the second edition of the Youth Resource Guide. Based on the suggestions made by Burbank youth during the Youth Solution Summit process in fall of 2001, an easily updated and accessible version of the Guide has been created online linked to the City�s website, www.ci.burbank.ca.us or www.burbankusa.com.

PAY Grants

The mission of PAY Grants, Positive Alternatives for Youth, is to provide, encourage, and support program activities that benefit the development of Burbank youth. Grants are available to community organizations whose goal is to provide facilities, services, and or programs which serve the youth of Burbank. Funding for these programs is provided by the City through a competitive grant process. Approximately $100,000 is allocated annually to serve Burbank youth. (ATTACHMENT B)

Democracy in Action Survey and Youth Solution Summit

In March 2001, at the direction of the City Council and Burbank Unified School District Board of Education, City and School District staff conducted a survey of all Burbank middle and high school youth. At the conclusion of the survey, students were asked to describe the three most significant issues facing youth. Focus group discussions were then conducted with members of each middle and high school with the goal of further defining these issues and beginning the solution development process. During the summer of 2001 a group of 26 dedicated students, known as Burbank Youth for Youth (BY4Y), were assembled for the purpose of developing a Youth Solution Summit.  In October, a cross section of 200 students, from middle and high schools, gathered for a full day to discuss and develop potential solutions to the many youth identified issues discovered during the survey and focus group process.  The product of this process has been documented in the Youth Solutions Summit Report. With direction from the City Council, Burbank Unified School District Board, the Mayor�s Youth Task Force, Park, Recreation and Community Services Board, Youth Board and Teens In Action committees, staff has now begun the process of implementing these youth identified solutions. (ATTACHMENT C)  

Mayor�s Youth Task Force Recommended Programs Currently In Progress

Middle School Grant Program

One of the goals derived from the Youth Solution Summit is to implement violence prevention curriculum at the middle school level. In July of 2002, the Mayor�s Youth Task Force recommended and the Burbank Unified School District Board of Education approved the implementation of the Middle School Grant Program at each Burbank middle school. In November of 2002, the City Council approved the recommendation from the Mayor�s Youth Task Force to appropriate $150,000 from the Youth Programs Holding Account for the Middle School Grant Program. This program assisted in the funding and implementation of violence prevention programs and related recommendations from the Youth Solutions Summit Report at each of the middle schools.  Projects that have been implemented as a result of this funding include fieldtrips to the Museum of Tolerance and an afterschool mentoring program among other programs. (ATTACHMENT D)

Teens In Action Communication Media

The Youth Solution Summit process identified an overwhelming need for Youth Communication and Media in Burbank. At the recommendation of the Mayor�s Youth Task Force, staff is facilitating youth-directed 120-day teams focused on implementing the solutions developed during the Youth Solution Summit. These teams became known as Teens In Action. The first Teens In Action team focused on Media and Communication. This team accomplished a video documentary of the entire Youth Solution Summit process, which has already been televised on Channel 6. In January of 2003, City Council approved the allocation of $64,200 from the Youth Programs Holding Account to fund a pilot series of five television episodes. The first episode aired on Channel 6 May 30, 2003 and addressed the topic of discrimination and prejudice. Each subsequent episode will focus on a specific issue affecting Burbank youth and provide resources regarding those issues.  (ATTACHMENT E)

Teens In Action Police Youth Relations Committee

The Police Youth Relations team was also formed to further define and implement solutions from the Youth Solution Summit final report. This youth-led team has created a mission statement which clearly expresses their purpose in the community. The team is made up of several youth, working in cooperation with the Burbank Police Department to improve the relationship between police and youth. During this entire process, youth have been bonding with police officers and gaining a better understanding of police and their job duties. The first project the team undertook was partnering with police officers during the community wide Red Ribbon Ride and Day celebration. This was followed up by preparing holiday baskets for families in the Burbank community. Since then, the Police Youth Relations committee has participated in Police Fire Service day. An ongoing project for the team has been the creation, development, and hosting of �Teen Street Beat�, a live television show on Channel 6.

Mayor�s Youth Task Force Proposed Youth Programs

The Mayor�s Youth Task Force, based on recommendations and approval from the Teens In Action Police Youth Relations team, the Teens In Action Media Communication team, Burbank Youth for Youth, Youth Board, and the Park, Recreation and Community Services Board are proposing five additional youth programs as expansions to existing programs and newly created programs. A description of these programs is located in the Analysis section of this report.  

ANALYSIS

It has been the recommendation of the City Council, the Mayor�s Youth Task Force, the Teens In Action Police Youth Relations team, the Teens In Action Media Communication team, Burbank Youth for Youth, Youth Board, and the Park, Recreation and Community Services Board to engage youth in the process of providing programs and services to youth whenever possible.

As standard practice, staff feels that ongoing feedback from youth is essential to the success of this program. As youth evaluate the various projects implemented through the Youth Programs Holding Account, the programs are being revised and improved to better meet youth needs with a focus on the needs of the most difficult to reach youth. The information contained in this staff report was presented to the Youth Board, Teens In Action Police Youth Relations Committee, and the Teens In Action Media Communication Committee. In addition, the Mayor�s Youth Task Force brought back the original youth members of the Burbank Youth for Youth (BY4Y) committee to provide the City with a scorecard evaluation of the progress in effectively addressing Burbank teen issues. All of the youth involved in these focus groups had the opportunity to provide feedback and suggestions to the proposed projects. Their suggestions were incorporated into the final proposal contained within this staff report. The recommended programs include licensing and continuation of the PeaceBuilders program, extending the Middle School Grant Program, continuing and expanding the Teens In Action Media Communication team and Police Youth Relations team, and expanding the Counseling opportunities available for youth.

The need for the following programs was established during the Youth Solution Summit. The final report summarizing the overall recommendations is attached. Specific needs that were identified during the Youth Solution Summit include Violence Prevention, Communication, an improvement in Police and youth relations, and an unmet need for Counseling for youth in the Burbank community. (ATTACHMENT C)

PeaceBuilders      $5,000

This proposal includes the continuation of the existing implementation described in the Background section of this report, as well as the required community licensing fee in order to legally continue the program. Due to fiscal constraints, the program could not include expansion into the community at this time. Should the Mayor�s Youth Task Force and the City Council determine this expansion as a high priority in the future; staff will develop an analysis of resources required. This item is time sensitive. If funding is not appropriated for licensing at this time, the existing PeaceBuilders program will not continue. 

Middle School Grant Program         $75,000

It is recommended that the City continue the strong partnership with the Burbank Unified School District. Through constant feedback and communication regarding the Middle School Grant Program, it was determined that these are the necessary costs to continue the program through the end of the 2003-2004 school year. Without these funds, the programs funded by the Middle School Grants will only continue until the end of the fall semester and the existing program will not be extended.

Communication/ Media        $100,000

With the access and grasp teens have of today�s technology, youth have identified the need for a website in order to improve communication with youth throughout the community. Teens have expressed that they can relate to utilizing the internet and a website is easy to update frequently. The teens also feel that print materials are beneficial, as they are the most common form of communication currently. As examples of this, the youth have proposed a Youth Resource Card, Teen Newsletter, and a Teen Community Information Card. These are newly proposed projects that do not currently have money allocated to them. If there is no allocation of funds, these programs will not be implemented.

Staff has presented the first episode of the Teen Television Show pilot series and solicited feedback from seven separate focus groups, focusing on the most difficult to reach youth. All of the input will be compiled and implemented in further shows. The youth feel that the show is beneficial to addressing youth issues and should be continued and expanded to include other issues identified from the Youth Solution Summit, and suggestions made by Burbank youth. Based on the feedback received from youth focus groups, an additional eight episodes are proposed, focusing on further issues identified both by the Youth Solution Summit and input received from Burbank youth. This existing program has funding for a total of five pilot episodes. Without funding, this program will not expand to include more episodes.

Police Youth Relations         $25,000

Based on the Youth Solution Summit, the goal of the existing Teens In Action Police Youth Relations Committee is to improve the relationship between police and youth in Burbank, resulting in a safer community. The team proposes to do this through a combination of various programs that target youth and police in Burbank, especially the most difficult to reach youth. The proposed programs include; continuation of the Teen Street Beat live television show, a basketball game between youth and police, a community-wide picnic, campus discussion forums, and a police rewards program. At this time, this program has been operating without funding. If funding is not dedicated to these programs at this time, these programs will not be implemented and the Police Youth Relations team will not be extended.

Facilitators     $30,000

Professional facilitators from the non-profit organization �We Care for Youth�, Linda Maxwell and Jose Quintanar, have been involved in this process since the beginning. Initially, they facilitated �Burbank Youth for Youth�, the group that planned and implemented the Youth Solution Summit and provided a culminating report of youth developed solutions to teen issues in Burbank. This proposal includes oversight of the completion of specific projects; including the continuation of Teen Street Beat, a basketball game between youth and police, a community-wide picnic, discussion forums on campus led by police, and a police rewards program. These facilitators are essential for the Police Youth Relations team. If funds are not appropriated at this time, the Police Youth Relations team will cease to exist and all associated programs will not be implemented.

Counseling     $50,000

As part of the City Council adopted 10 Year Strategic Plan, Park, Recreation and Community Services staff was directed to work closely with youth to follow-up on the 2001 Youth Solution Summit. One of the overwhelming needs expressed by youth in our community throughout this process is the need for more accessible counseling opportunities for youth. There are several opportunities for the Burbank community to accomplish this task. One method focuses targeting better communication to youth regarding existing counseling opportunities available. This utilizes communication techniques currently being developed by the Teens In Action Communication team, including a teen television show and printed informational materials. In addition, by partnering with area counseling providers, counseling could be made available at several satellite youth centers throughout Burbank. A complete strategy for implementation will be further developed based on future youth focus groups.

Evaluation

Ongoing feedback from youth is essential to the success of this program and achieving the goals set by staff and youth. As standard practice, staff will continue to solicit feedback from diverse groups of youth through Burbank, focusing specifically on the most difficult to reach youth. At each step of this process, youth will be an integral part of the planning and evaluation of youth programming. Future evaluation methods include conducting additional youth focus groups throughout the community.

The Mayor�s Youth Task Force recommended youth programs are one-time expenditures. At the conclusion of each program, staff will conduct an evaluation and provide the City Council with further recommendations. Should the City Council decide to continue any of these projects as an ongoing program, staff will develop an overview of future needs.

FISCAL IMPACT

During the Fiscal Year 2002-2003 budget process, City Council directed staff to establish a holding account and one-time appropriation of $500,000 for the development and implementation of youth oriented projects. This proposal will expend the remaining $285,000 available in the General Fund Non-Departmental Holding Account 001.ND000.62970. 

RECOMMENDATION

It is the recommendation of staff, the Mayor�s Youth Task Force, the Park, Recreation and Community Services Board, Youth Board, Teens In Action Police Youth Relations, Teens In Action Media Communication team, and the original members of Burbank Youth for Youth that the City Council approve the one-time expenditure of $285,000 from the Non-Departmental Holding Account for implementation of the Mayor�s Youth Task Force recommended youth programs.

MSF: se

Attachments

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