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CC - Adoption of a Resolution Approving Participation in the Youth Reinvestment Grant Program
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Meeting Date: July 8, 2019
Contact Person/Dept: Serena Wright-Black/Administrative Services
Phone Number: (310) 253-5640
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date:
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (07/02/19); Culver City Fire Management Group (07/02/19); Culver City Firefighters’ Association (07/01/19)
Department Approval: Serena Wright-Black, Assistant City Manager (07/01/19)
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RECOMMENDATION
The City Council Ad Hoc Equity Subcommittee, consisting of Mayor Sahli-Wells and Council Member Lee (“Subcommittee”) recommends the City Council adopt a resolution approving participation in the Youth Reinvestment Grant Program.
BACKGROUND
The Youth Reinvestment Grant Program was established in the 2018 State Budget Act (Senate Bill 840, Chapter 29, Statutes of 2018) and the related trailer bill (Assembly Bill 1812, Chapter 36, Statues of 2018) and provides $36.2 million in grant funding.
Eligible applicants for the Youth Reinvestment Grant Program (YRG) are California cities and counties. Each are eligible to request between $50,000 and $1 million in any one application period.
The target population to be served by the grant are youth who are under the age of 18 (at the time of participant enrollment) and who are at risk of entering the juvenile justice system or further involvement in the system. Diversion services provided under this grant need to be trauma-informed, evidence-based, culturally relevant, and developmentally appropriate. The services required include:
• Diversion programs and alternatives to arrest, incarceration, and formal involvement with the juvenile justice system;
• Educational services, including academic and vocational services;
• Mentoring services;
• Behavioral health services and
• Mental health services.
DISCUSSION
In February 2019, the Subcommittee and City staff were informed about a grant opportunity being offered by the Board of State and Community Corrections. The City submitted a proposal in April 2019. The proposal requested funds to develop a youth diversion program which would provide Culver City youth facing expulsion and/or arrest with an individualized care plan to include arrest alternatives and educational and mental health services.
Youth from the following populations will be served by the YRG:
1. Culver City High School (CCHS) students facing expulsion or suspension. One of the issues facing CCHS are suspensions for 48900 (c) - “unlawfully possessed, used, sold or otherwise furnished, or been under the influence of a controlled substance.” In 2017-18, there were 49 suspensions due to repeated instances of drug usage on campus;
2. Youth diverted from arrest by CCPD. There were 206 youth arrests in Culver City in 2017. The majority of those arrests were due to theft; and
3. Youth referred by other law enforcement agencies.
The services would be provided by New Earth, a Culver City based non-profit organization which provides mentor-based arts, educational, and vocational programs to youth ages 13-25. New Earth has 14 years of experience operating successful mentorship programming, arts education, and re-entry services inside of juvenile detention centers and camps. New Earth was recently selected by Los Angeles County to manage the Residential Vocational Treatment Center at the former Camp Gonzalez in Malibu. This project is believed to be the first in the nation to transition a juvenile camp into a voluntary vocational treatment facility for trauma-impacted youth.
The grant also provides funding for annual training, through the Western Justice Center, for Culver City Unified School District staff on issues of bias and conflict resolution. The Western Justice Center develops and administers training programs to resolve conflicts and address biases.
Staff was informed in June 2019 that Culver City has been selected and awarded a 4-year grant in the amount of $763,014.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no direct fiscal impact. There will be some staff time required to administer and oversee the grant.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed Resolution
MOTION
That the City Council:
1. Adopt a resolution approving participation in the Youth Reinvestment Grant Program.