PURPOSE

Staff, supported by a recommendation from the Mayor�s Youth Task Force, is requesting City Council authorization for funding from the Youth Services Holding Account. If approved, We Care For Youth will receive up to $5,000 to continue their services to the Teens In Action Police Youth Relations Team through June 2006 and $10,000 will be set aside to secure grant writing services.

BACKGROUND

During the Fiscal Year 2002-2003 budget process, the City Council directed staff to set aside funding in a Non-Departmental Holding Account (Youth Services) to be utilized for teen services and programming.  Since then, additional funds have been approved to replenish the account.  With approval from the City Council and recommendations of 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 implements programs reflecting solutions developed by youth through processes via survey, summits, and focus groups.  There is currently $265,550 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, PeaceBuilders, Bliss Unlimited, the Middle School Grant Program, the Middle School Counseling Program, and the High School Counseling Program.

The Teens In Action Police Youth Relations Team, comprised of middle school and high school youth, works in cooperation with the Burbank Police Department to improve the relationship between police and youth. Objectives of the team include a provision for positive interaction between police officers and youth, outreach to other students, and involvement in the community through special projects.  For the members, the team has provided them with a nurturing environment via regular meetings where they work through problem solving techniques, learn cooperation and teamwork, and discuss youth issues and school concerns.

The Police Youth Relations Team works in increments and is project driven.  Goals and objectives are determined and typically involve the video production of a Teen Street Beat Show and the planning and participation in specific special or community events.  Community events at which the team has had a presence or participated include Red Ribbon Day, Easter Eggsplosion, Fire Services Day, Civitan Day, the Ponytail Softball Jamboree, and the Verdugo Street Fair. 

In addition, the team was responsible for the development, coordination, planning and conducting of four major community special events which include three successful �Ball-B-Que� events. Months of planning culminate in a basketball game between youth and police officers and fun activities for all ages. The teens are also involved with the securing of sponsorships which include donated supplies, food and prizes. A donation of monetary proceeds collected at the event is given to the Burbank Explorer Post to assist teens in their pursuit of a career in law enforcement. In coordination with the Police Department, the Team was involved in the planning of a National Night Out event. They had the primary role to provide free food, entertainment, activities and to coordinate community agency booths.  The team�s efforts resulted in extensive in-kind donations of food, prizes or services for the approximately 1500 attendees. 

Professional facilitators for this program from August 2003 through March 2006 have been provided by We Care For Youth, a local non-profit organization dedicated to youth. City staff support has been provided from the Police Department, the Public Information Office, and the Park, Recreation, and Community Services Department.  The total appropriated funding since 2003 for the Teens In Action Police Youth Relations Team is $70,000.

The Mayor�s Youth Task Force identifies the needs of Burbank youth and reviews existing programs, sustainability and possible expansion of the various recommended services.  While the City Council has been supportive of the initiation of several programs to meet the identified needs, the City funding resources are limited.  Some success has been achieved by a few of the program providers to receive outside funding from fundraising, donations, and grants.  The Mayor�s Youth Task Force desires to further explore grant opportunities and grant writing resources that may benefit Mayor�s Youth Task Force recommended programs or community based youth serving agencies in Burbank.

ANALYSIS

The Mayor�s Youth Task Force meets regularly to review and discuss updates of current programs and receive presentations for consideration that may meet the needs of the youth of Burbank.   

Teens In Action Police Youth Relations    $5,000 

It is the Mayor�s Youth Task Force Recommendation to continue the Teens In Action Police Youth Relations Team with its primary goal to improve the relationship between police and youth in Burbank, resulting in a safer community. At its June 24, 2003 meeting, City Council appropriated a total of $55,000 to provide for facilitators and materials for the team through September 16, 2004. The facilitators for this Team are We Care For Youth whose staff meets regularly with the team members. Due to the successful sponsorship efforts for their activities by the team, the funding appropriation allowed for extensions of the agreement through September 16, 2005.  An additional $15,000 appropriated in July 2005 provided for the team to operate from October 28, 2005 through March 31, 2006.

To function through June 30, 2006, the Teens In Action Police Youth Relations Team proposes to continue to conduct regular meetings, produce a Teen Street Beat television show, and participate in at least one community event. The program also offers team members opportunities for mentoring and coaching by responsible adults.  City Council approval of up to $5,000 is recommended by the Mayor�s Youth Task Force. (Attachment I)

Grant Writing Services--$10,000

A new youth survey will be conducted this spring.  Approximately, 11,000 students from the middle schools and high schools in Burbank will participate.  The results will be reviewed by the Mayor�s Youth Task Force which may lead to further recommendations of enhancements to existing programs or new programs to meet the needs expressed by the youth.

The Mayor�s Youth Task Force is exploring grant funding opportunities that could be utilized to provide new funding sources or to assist in sustaining and expanding existing Task Force recommended programs.  This may include but is not limited to research, application, and employing grant writing services. 

At its February 2006 meeting, the Mayor�s Youth Task Force recommended that $10,000 be set aside for grant resources.

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 $265,550 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 $15,000 from the Non-Departmental Holding Account (001.ND000.62970.0000) to appropriate $5,000 to the Teens In Action Police Youth Relations Team Account (001.PR31F.62135.1000) and $10,000 to Grant Writing Resources Account (001.PR31F.62135.1007).

It is further recommended that upon the direction from the Mayor�s Youth Task Force, the Park, Recreation, and Community Services Director be given the authority to expend up to $10,000 to employ the services of one or more grant writers.