PURPOSE

Staff, supported by a recommendation from the Mayor�s Youth Task Force, is requesting City Council authorization to provide additional funding to the High School Counseling Program.  It is conducted at two Burbank Unified School District (BUSD) high schools.  If approved, the Family Services Agency of Burbank will receive up to $25,000 from the Youth Services Holding Account to fund an expansion of services on the two campuses as proposed.

BACKGROUND

During the Fiscal Year 2002-2003 budget process, the City Council directed staff to set aside $500,000 of one-time funding in a Non-Departmental Holding Account (Youth Services) to be utilized for teen services and programming.  On February 15, 2005, City Council approved $250,000 of one-time funding to replenish the account.  With direction from the City Council, the Burbank Unified School District (BUSD) Board of Education, the Mayor�s Youth Task Force, the Youth Board and the Teens In Action teams, staff continues to implement programs reflecting the solutions developed by youth.  There is currently $40,550 in this account.

Programs which have received funding from the Youth Services Holding Account have included the Teens In Action Media Communications Team, Teens In Action Police Youth Relations Team, Bliss Unlimited, the Middle School Grant Program, the Middle School Counseling, and the High School Counseling Program.

One of the overwhelming needs expressed by youth in our community throughout the Youth Solution Summit process was for more accessible and affordable counseling opportunities.  To develop a strategic plan of action for initiating a youth counseling program, the Mayor�s Youth Task Force created the Youth Counseling Subcommittee which included representatives from the Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, City of Burbank, City Council and Burbank Unified School District.  Due to funding restraints and logistics, the three BUSD middle schools were selected for initial focus.  The Middle School Counseling Program was commenced in spring 2004. Its total appropriated funding to date is $175,000.

Following the successful model of the Middle School Counseling Program, the Mayor�s Youth Task Force recommended and City Council approved funding in the amount of $50,000 on July 12, 2005 to provide services to include high school students.

ANALYSIS

The Mayor�s Youth Task Force has been meeting regularly to review and discuss updates of current programs and receive presentations for consideration for different programs that may meet the needs of the youth of Burbank.  The focus has been on intervention and education for secondary students.

The High School Counseling Program began in September 2005 with a focus on 9^th graders to allow for continuance of care for students in need as they graduated from middle school and transitioned into high school.  Working cooperatively with the BUSD, the Family Service Agency of Burbank is the provider. The initial phase of funding in the amount of $50,000 included program design and development.  With the provision of individualized counseling services, it is anticipated that there would be a direct impact to 50-100 students through August 2006.

To date, the Family Service Agency of Burbank has provided free on-campus counseling services to approximately 60 high school students.  Indirectly, these services also provide impact to families, friends, classmates, teachers, school administrators, and the greater Burbank community.

Due to insufficient resources, the Family Service Agency of Burbank is limited in its response to the growing requests for services for the 10^th, 11^th and 12^th grade classes on the two BUSD high school campuses, Burbank High School and John Burroughs High School.   The Family Service Agency has provided a proposal to expand its services to better meet the counseling needs for older students on the campuses (Attachment I).

At its January meeting, the Mayor�s Youth Task Force recommended the expenditure of $25,000 from the Youth Programs Holding Account to expand high school counseling on the two campuses.  It is anticipated that up to an additional 50 students will be served with this additional funding through August 31, 2006.

If approved, the remaining balance in the holding account will be $15,550.

FISCAL IMPACT

There will be no fiscal impact. During the Fiscal Year 2002-2003 budget process, City Council directed staff to establish a holding account for the development and implementation of youth oriented projects. There is currently $40,550 available in the General Fund Non-Departmental Holding Account (Youth Services) 001.ND000.62970. 0000.

RECOMMENDATION

It is the recommendation of staff and the Mayor�s Youth Task Force that the City Council approve funding in the amount of $25,000 from the Non-Departmental Holding Account (001.ND000.62970.0000) to the High School Counseling Program (001.PR31F.62135.1004).

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