AGENDA #5d
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Response to Questions regarding Opportunities for At-Risk Youth
DATE: June 24, 2002
This report responds to questions raised by a Council Member about the high school summer internship program in the Town.
At the April 8 Council meeting, the Council adopted a budget ordinance that allocated $1,200 from the Council’s contingency funds to authorize internships for two high school students in the Planning Department this summer (Attachment 1). At the meeting, a Council Member made reference to a 1998-99 committee, known as the “Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Orange County Recreation Committee for At-Risk Youth,” which was comprised of elected officials from Chapel Hill and Carrboro and citizens and staff, and looked at ways that government might address the needs of at-risk youth (Attachment 2). For the purposes of the report, at-risk youth were defined as “adolescents who are potentially at-risk with the legal system, have a high probability of dropping out of school without subsequent vocational training, and/or have inadequate support systems.”
One of the committee’s recommendations, as listed in its report, “Issues, Findings and Recommendations” (Issue 7), was that teens need more opportunities for after-school and summer employment. The committee report recommended that elected officials request that the Chambers of Commerce create apprenticeship and job placement programs through their business memberships, and that elected officials create summer jobs for at-risk adolescents through appropriate government departments.
On October 27, 1999, the Council adopted resolutions authorizing the Mayor to send a letter to the chair of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board requesting consideration of a number of issues related to serving at-risk youth. The Council also adopted a resolution authorizing the Manager to take a number of steps to implement the recommendations in the report.
Following the adoption of the April 8, 2002 ordinance authorizing the Planning Department internships, a Council Member asked:
1. “How this particular proposal dovetails with that and how much our staff has followed through on that.”
2. “How many departments have indeed sought out and followed through and given chances to at-risk youth for opportunities for summer employment?”
3. “Could this proposal specifically give priority to that particular population of high school kids?”
Employment Opportunities
The Town has employed youth in various internship and apprenticeship opportunities since the work of the At-Risk Youth committee. Depending on the program, these opportunities have been made available both to “at-risk” youth and to those who would not be considered at-risk.
In 2002, as in past years, the Town will employ approximately 10 high school youth in different positions through a program funded by the Community Development Block Grant program (Summer Youth Work Program). These students will work in:
Aside from the Summer Youth Work Program, there are many other high school students who work in either paid positions (23 students working for the summer in the Parks & Recreation Department) or volunteer positions. At the Chapel Hill Public Library, there is a waiting list for students who volunteer to work to fulfill the high schools’ community service requirement.
There are two other special programs where the Town has been allowed to target a specific population of applicants: requirement to be a Public Housing or Community Development resident for some Police Department jobs, and priority for Orange-Person-Chatham Mental Health’s Club Nova for a Library page position.
High School “Academy” Programs
The high school internship program that placed students in the Planning Department this summer operates under an “Academy” program available through the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. According to Mr. Doug Glasgow, Career Development Coordinator for Chapel Hill High School, the program is not limited to at-risk students. The programs, titled the “Academy of Finance” and the “Academy of Information Technology,” fit the graduation requirement of a paid internship after the students’ junior year.
Mr. Glasgow said that the program welcomes economically disadvantaged youth and that all students are welcome to apply. Career Development faculty recruit students to the programs by:
Town Process
The Town receives notice about the programs and students from the schools early in the calendar year, and departments are invited to notify the school Career Development Coordinators of their interest in receiving a student intern. Students apply for available internship positions within the Town, and a Career Development Coordinator works with Town staff to match up student interests and skills with the positions available. Students interview with the school counselor and then with the Town staff representative before beginning employment.
The Town has been able to offer opportunities to at-risk youth through various funding mechanisms in 2002 and in past years. We will continue to seek ways to meet the needs of at-risk youth, consistent with the Council’s guidance.
ATTACHMENTS
AGENDA #9
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Consideration of Budget Ordinance Authorizing High School Summer Internships
DATE: April 8, 2002
At the March 25 meeting, the Council received the attached report for consideration of a budget ordinance authorizing high school summer internships. The Council deferred discussion of the item on March 25, and we have resubmitted it for the Council’s consideration at tonight’s meeting.
ATTACHMENTS
AGENDA #4c
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Budget Amendment Authorizing High School Interns in Planning Department
DATE: March 25, 2002
The attached budget ordinance would allocate $1,200 from the Council’s contingency funds to authorize internships for two high school students in the Planning Department this summer.
BACKGROUND
During the past seven years the Town has worked with Chapel Hill High School placing student interns in several Town Departments during the summer. These high school students have expressed an interest in public administration or particular functions of individual departments. One example occurred in the Planning Department in 1999. During the summer, a student intern with computer skills created an electronic data base of all development applications.
DISCUSSION
Chapel Hill High School would like to place two student interns in the Planning Department during the summer of 2002. Each intern would work approximately 90 hours (a total of 180 hours). The cost for the interns would be $1,200.
The Planning Department has requested these interns to assist in converting the Planning Department records identification from the tax map filing system to the Property Identification Number (PIN) system. The Orange County Land Records office has encouraged the Town to use Property Identification Numbers because it is a nationally recognized method of property identification. The Planning Department has approximately 2,500 development records, half of those contain between 2 and 3 folders. In order to transfer to this system, the Property Identification Number must be placed on each file folder.
In addition to this proposed project, the students will be given the opportunity to learn about:
Based on our past experiences, we believe that this project would provide a benefit to the Town as well as the students.
RECOMMENDATION
We recommend that the Council adopt the attached ordinance.
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND “THE ORDINANCE CONCERNING APPROPRIATIONS AND THE RAISING OF REVENUE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2001 (2002-4-08/O-2)
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Budget Ordinance entitled “An Ordinance Concerning Appropriations and the Raising of Revenue for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2001” as duly adopted on June 25, 2001 and the same is hereby amended as follows:
ARTICLE I
Current Revised
APPROPRIATIONS Budget Increase Decrease Budget
GENERAL FUND
Planning 1,136,237 1,200 1,137,437
Non-Departmental
Contingency 7,565 1,200 6,365
This the 8th day of April, 2002.
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Staff Response to Recommendations to Elected Officials in the At-Risk Youth Report
DATE: September 27, 1999
This memorandum addresses recommendations to elected officials found in the 1999 Report entitled “Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Orange County Recreation Committee for At-Risk Youth Issues, Findings, and Recommendations.”
On March 24, 1998, the Carrboro Board of Aldermen adopted a resolution authorizing the pursuit of programming opportunities with the Town of Chapel Hill for at-risk youth in the community. In a March 27, 1998 letter, Carrboro Mayor Michael Nelson requested that the Chapel Hill Town Council consider establishing a small working group comprised of one or two Council Members and Town staff to work with Alderman Anderson and Carrboro town staff.
At its May 20, 1998 meeting, the Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation Commission voted unanimously (7-0) to support the general concept of working with the Town of Carrboro to provide recreational programming targeting at-risk youth. The Commission noted that specific program ideas were not available for review and suggested that more detailed proposals be developed by the staff of the two Parks and Recreation Departments.
On July 6, 1998, the Council adopted a resolution authorizing participation in a joint Chapel Hill/ Carrboro working group to explore possible recreation opportunities for at-risk youth. The Council appointed Council Members Flicka Bateman and Julie McClintock as its representatives on the working committee.
The “Committee on Recreation for At-Risk Youth” met approximately 6 times between September 1998 and January 1999. The Committee was comprised of elected officials and staff of the Towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill, and Orange County.
On February 8, 1999, Council Member Bateman presented the “Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Orange County Recreation Committee for At-Risk Youth Issues, Findings, and Recommendations” to the Council. The Council accepted the report, asked Council Member Bateman to proceed to address issues related to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, and referred the report to the Manager for further comments.
On July 7, 1999, Council authorized the Manager to continue to implement the 1999 Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Orange County Recreation Committee for At-Risk Youth, Issues, Findings, and Recommendations and directed staff to comment on all “Recommendations to Elected Officials” contained in the Report.
The Report highlights 10 key issues:
· Facilities: A lack of adequate facilities restricts existing and future programs
· Transportation: At-risk youth require transportation to facilities/programs
· Volunteers: Additional community mentors are required to assist with programs
· Marketing: New methods are needed to market programs to at-risk youth
· Staff: There is currently a shortage of professional and trained staff
· Life Skills Training: At-risk youth require independent, life skills training
· Employment: Job opportunities are required for at-risk youth
· Hispanic Community: Efforts are required to reach Hispanic youth
· Female Participation: More programs are needed for at-risk adolescent females
· Inter-Agency Cooperation: Improvement in inter-agency support and cooperation would improve the current situation
Each finding contains recommendations to Elected Officials and/or Staff. The first seven key issues highlighted contained recommendations to Elected Officials. Listed below are the “Recommendations to Elected Officials” in the report and our comments:
1. Facilities: A lack of adequate facilities restricts existing and future programs
· Meet with School Boards to readdress the Facility Use relationship within three months to provide expanded use of school facilities.
· Include the expansion of the number of summer day camps and youth programs in the 1999/00 Budget.
· Investigate financing mechanisms that will ensure the construction of facilities for youth programs.
· Approach appropriate UNC departments (Leisure Studies, Social Services, Psychology, Athletics, Employee Recreation, etc.) to explore the sharing of programs/facilities to serve at-risk youth.
Staff Comments: On March 25, 1999, representatives from the Council met with School Board members, County Commission members, Chapel Hill-Carrboro School System staff, and Town staff to discuss Town use of school facilities. School staff agreed to write a memo reminding all school staff of formal policies regarding Town use of facilities. Elected officials present said that the recently articulated Joint Land Use document laid groundwork for expanded use of school facilities.
We believe that identifying additional programming space is an essential step in creating any new programs. We could assist the Council by taking the following steps:
1. Continue to discuss facility use issues with the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools staff including the possible use of space not currently utilized by the Parks and Recreation Department.
2. Prepare a draft of a letter from the Mayor to the Chair of the Chapel Hill- Carrboro School Board that would stress the importance of continuing to work cooperatively in several ways including: designing all future schools to meet both school and community needs, siting schools to provide educational and recreational benefits, joint programming, and mutual cooperation agreements that fairly distribute maintenance responsibilities and use of athletic facilities. Resolution A would authorize the Mayor to sign such a letter.
3. Develop a separate budget proposal for expanded camp, afterschool, and other at-risk youth programs as part of the FY 2000-2001 budget process. Resolution B would authorize the Manager to develop budget options to reflect the recommendations in the report and other ideas related to serving at-risk youth.
4. Include in the conceptual planning process for the proposed Aquatics/Community Center at Homestead Park, at least one option that would include facilities that could be used for at-risk youth programs. These facilities could include rooms that could serve as a teen center, summer camp site, afterschool program site, gymnasium, arts facility or similar. The option could include cost estimates and possible financing options. This idea is included in Resolution B.
2. Transportation: At-risk youth require transportation to facilities/programs
· Address with School Boards transportation needs through special buses/routes provided on a cost-sharing basis. Transportation coordination may involve public transit department, school transportation, CAT, etc.
Staff Comments: There were no funds included in the FY1999-2000 Budget for special shuttle services. Regular transit services are available to most Chapel Hill/Carrboro schools and to many of the recreation facilities in the community. Chapel Hill Transit has a discounted youth fare (50% of adult fare) for cash, tickets and passes. The User Fee Policy has some flexibility for fee waivers. Arrangements can be made for discount tickets or passes if the Council wishes to pursue this option.
The School System currently offers drop-off transportation services at the Hargraves Center on each of its bus routes for elementary schools. In order to serve more youth, this service would have to be expanded to middle school students.
The Council may wish to pursue joint transportation options if it decides to communicate formally with the School Board regarding recommendations contained in the “Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Orange County Recreation Committee for At-Risk Youth Issues, Findings, and Recommendations.” The attached Resolution A would include transportation issues in the list of topics to be presented to the Board.
3. Volunteers: Additional community mentors are required to assist with programs
· Provide time off to government employees who become involved as mentors to at-risk youth. Encourage UNC and the private sector to do the same.
Staff Comments: We believe that it is essential to recruit more citizen volunteers if we are to have an impact on the at-risk youth problem. Some corporate neighbors have programs that allow their staff to work with area schools during work hours. Resolution B would authorize the Manager to investigate this idea in more depth and present options for Town employees to the Council as part of the FY 2000-01 budget process.
4. Marketing: New methods are needed to market programs to at-risk youth
· Request that residents’ councils, schools, and mentoring programs identify a contact person to receive and distribute recreation program information to at-risk youth.
Staff Comments: We believe these contacts would prove very valuable in the marketing of parks and recreation opportunities. We have already started to make these contacts and will continue to generate a list that can be used to coordinate outreach for at-risk programming.
5. Staff: There is currently a shortage of professional and trained staff
· Increase wages for a limited number of summer day camps staff positions to attract sufficient professional/trained staff (i.e. B.E.H. teachers, school counselors, social workers, PIC-trainer personnel, etc.). These staff will train other staff and create programs to address behavioral problems experienced in summer recreation programs. A suggested wage range for these staff would be $12 to $20 per hour.
· Create joint school/recreation summer programs to serve summer school students, sharing facilities and staff at the designated summer school sites.
Staff Comments: We believe the ideas of joint school/recreation summer programs and sharing of staff and facilities are excellent. If the Council adopts Resolution B, we will prepare budget options that address these issues for the Council’s consideration as part of the FY 2000-01 budget process.
6. Life Skills Training: At-risk youth require independent, life skills training
· Have Transportation Department sponsor parent/child ridership program with free rides for children ages six to twelve to teach them how to ride public transportation.
· Have Transportation Department provide a month-long program for adolescents that results in free admission to a dance or concert to encourage teen ridership.
Staff Comments: There is a current “how-to-ride” instruction program focused on 4th grade students in Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools. If the Council approves Resolution B we will prepare additional program ideas during the FY 2000-01 budget process.
7. Employment: Job opportunities are required for at-risk youth
· Request that the Chambers of Commerce create apprenticeship and job placement programs through their business membership.
· Create summer jobs for at-risk adolescents through appropriate government departments.
Staff Comments: There are currently several efforts to attract and hire community at-risk adolescents through Town departments. With additional funds, Parks and Recreation and other departments could increase its recruitment of Town youth for temporary positions, including summer day camp and swim staff and seasonal athletic officials and scorekeepers. We would include these costs in any budget options aimed at at-risk youth.
Resolution B would authorize the Manager to ask the Chamber of Commerce, the University, and local businesses to create apprenticeship programs that would target at-risk youth.
Parks and Recreation Commission Recommendation: The Commission voted unanimously (5-0) at its May 19, 1999 meeting that the Council support the Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Orange County Recreation Committee for At-Risk Youth Issues, Findings, and Recommendations report as submitted.
Manager’s Recommendation: That the Council adopt the attached Resolution A, which would authorize the Mayor to send a letter to the chair of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board requesting consideration of a number of issues related to servicing at-risk youth including transportation, future school construction, and mutual cooperation efforts. In addition, we recommend adoption of Resolution B authorizing the Manager to take a number of steps to implement the recommendations in the report and prepare budget options during the FY 2000-01 budget process.
1. Report entitled: Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Orange County Recreation Committee for At-Risk Youth Issues, Findings, and Recommendations (p. 8)
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO CITY SCHOOL BOARD CONCERNING ISSUES RELATED TO THE REPORT ENTITLED CARRBORO, CHAPEL HILL, AND ORANGE COUNTY RECREATION COMMITTEE FOR AT-RISK YOUTH ISSUES, FINDINGS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS (99-10-27/R-10a)
WHEREAS, a Committee consisting of elected officials and staff of the Town of Chapel Hill, the Town of Carrboro, and Orange County prepared a report on the issues and potential solutions for dealing with at-risk youth; and
WHEREAS, the Committee’s report contained specific recommendations targeted toward the elected officials; and
WHEREAS, the Council accepted the Report on February 8, 1999; and
WHEREAS, several of the recommendations related to issues that would require cooperation with the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council authorizes the Mayor to send a letter to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School Board requesting assistance in implementing the recommendations found in the Report, including the following items, many of which the School Board has already expressed commitment
· Design all future schools to meet both school and community needs
· Site schools to provide educational and recreational benefits
· Develop joint programming
· Develop mutually cooperative agreements that fairly distribute maintenance responsibilities and use of athletic facilities
· Develop joint transportation options
This the 27th day of October, 1999.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MANAGER TO TAKE VARIOUS ACTIONS RELATED TO IMPLEMENTING THE REPORT ENTITLED CARRBORO, CHAPEL HILL, AND ORANGE COUNTY RECREATION COMMITTEE FOR AT-RISK YOUTH ISSUES, FINDINGS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS (99-10-27/R-10b)
WHEREAS, a Committee consisting of elected officials and staff of the Town of Chapel Hill, the Town of Carrboro, and Orange County prepared a report on the issues and potential solutions for dealing with at-risk youth; and
WHEREAS, the Committee’s report contained specific recommendations targeted toward the elected officials; and
WHEREAS, the Council accepted the Report on February 8, 1999; and
WHEREAS, several of the recommendations would have budget impacts; and
WHEREAS, other recommendations could be further investigated or implemented by the staff;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council authorizes the Manager to take the following steps to address recommendations found in the Carrboro, Chapel Hill, And Orange County Recreation Committee For At-Risk Youth Issues, Findings, And Recommendations:
· Continue to discuss facility use issues with the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools staff including the possible use of space not currently utilized by the Parks and Recreation Department.
· Develop budget proposals that would address ideas related to a mentor program, transportation, expanded camp, afterschool, and other at-risk youth programs as part of the FY 2000-2001 budget process.
· Include in the conceptual planning process for the proposed Aquatics/Community Center at Homestead Park, at least one option that would include facilities that could be used for at-risk youth programs.
· Encourage citizens to volunteer to be mentors.
· Work with residents’ councils, schools, and mentoring programs to identify contacts.
· Request that the Chamber of Commerce, local businesses, and the University consider creating apprenticeship and job placement programs.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council authorizes the Manager to request Orange County to assist Chapel Hill in the cost of any programs.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council directs staff to work with the school system’s vocational coordinator to identify candidates for these potential summer positions.
This the 27th day of October, 1999.