SR-10-08-2013-3GCity ncil Report
dam City of
Santa Monies
City Council Meeting: October 8, 2013
Agenda Item: 3 -G
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Karen Ginsberg, Director of Community and Cultural Services
Subject: Revisions to the Agency Funding Levels within the Approved FY
2011 -15 Human Services Grants Program for St. Joseph Center
and Hospitality Training Academy
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a first modification to
Grant Agreement #9415 in the amount of $147,000 with St. Joseph
Center, a California non - profit corporation, to implement coordinated and
interdisciplinary services in support of the most vulnerable older youth and
their families via the Youth Resource Team (YRT 2.0). This will result in a
new total amount not to exceed $802,266 in FY 2013 -14; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a Grant Agreement
with Hospitality Training Academy, a California non - profit corporation, in
an amount not to exceed $92,688 in FY 2013 -14 for vocational training
and placement targeted to opportunity and other at -risk youth.
Executive Summary
On June 25, 2013, Council directed staff to work in collaboration with the Cradle
to Career Initiative (c2c) and Youth Resource Team (YRT 2.0) to implement
coordinated and interdisciplinary services in support of the most vulnerable older
youth and their families in Santa Monica. On July 10, 2013, staff called a special
meeting of the c2c to release the FY 2013 -15 Notice of Funds Availability for
Opportunity Youth. Two applicants submitted proposals in response to this
NOFA: St. Joseph Center and the Pico Youth and Family Center. After an
extensive review and applicant interview process, staff recommends that Human
1
Services Grants Program (HSGP) funding in the amount of $147,000 be awarded
to St. Joseph Center for anew total contract amount not to exceed $802,266, of
which $655,266 is for current homeless, family, and senior initiatives.
On June 25, 2013, Council also directed staff to engage in contract negotiations
with the Hospitality Training Academy (HTA) for funding in the amount of $92,688
to develop a Youth Jobs Initiative for vocational training and placement targeted
to opportunity and other at -risk Santa Monica youth.
Background
Disconnected youth, also referred to as "opportunity youth," are defined as youth
between the ages of 16 to 24 who are not in school or working and /or lack
supportive networks. Such youth face significant barriers transitioning into
adulthood and attaining self- sufficiency. In April 2013, the City released the
Opportunity Youth Request for Proposals (RFP) in response to Council direction
on January 8, 2013 to address the unmet needs of this population. Staff
determined that none of the proposals offered the comprehensive and integrated
approach called for in the RFP.
On June 7t" a mass shooting occurred followed by two unrelated gang shootings.
In light. of these events and in an effort to support the community, staff
recommended the acceleration and advancement of the c2c's Youth Resource
Team (YRT 2.0) program. On June 25, 2013, Council approved the
recommendation that funding be made available to an existing Human Services
Grants Program (HSGP) grantee to implement coordinated services to
vulnerable older youth and their families via the YRT 2.0. This resulted in the
release of the Fiscal Year 2013 -2015 Notice of Funds Availability (NO FA) on July
10, 2013.
At its June 25th meeting, the Council also identified $92,688 in funding for a new
youth jobs initiative to be offered by the Hospitality Training Academy. This
project, in conjunction with the YRT 2.0, would provide augmented training and
employment along with a more comprehensive safety net for opportunity and at-
risk Santa Monica youth.
Discussion
YRT 2.0: Two agencies — St. Joseph Center (SJC) and Pico Youth and Family
Center (PYFC) — submitted applications for available funds by the deadline. The
NOFA required applicants to demonstrate use of nationally recognized,
evidence -based best practices including: how the agency would recruit, hire and
oversee a YRT 2.0 coach /navigator; the agency's experience with assertive case
management and inter - disciplinary approaches to service delivery; and, how the
agency would leverage additional resources to support the YRT 2.0 initiative.
Community and Cultural Services Department staff evaluated the applications
and conducted interviews of each agencys' executive staff. Staff recommends
SJC based on its ability to use nationally recognized, evidence -based best
practices to accelerate and advance YRT 2.0 including:
• Employing clinically trained staff (both in supervisory and direct service
positions) knowledgable in Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction,
Cognitive - Behavioral Therapy
• Implementing an assertive case management model for at -risk individuals
and their families
• Providing direct services utilizing a inter - disciplinary partnerships with local
and county agencies, including the Department of Mental Health,
Probation, and L.A. Superior Court
® Access to the agency's existing programs for low- income individuals and
families
• Family Center & Food Pantry
• Culinary Training Program
• Early Learning Center
• Affordable Housing Program
• Monetary Advisory Program
While PYFC proposed a strategy and approach to accelerate and advance the
YRT 2.0, SJC has a more successful track record of moving forward innovative,
high profile direct service initiatives. Their approach to the YRT 2.0 coupled with
their experience, partnerships, array of services for low- income families and
individuals, plus the agency's demonstrated ability to meet program goals and
outcomes will advance and meet the City's goals for YRT 2.0.
The original recommendation was to make $90,220 available to an existing
HSGP grantee. In order to implement a program for the remainder of FY 2013-
14, staff recommends awarding SJC $147,000. The additional $56,780 would be
available from departmental savings. Continued funding for this program would
be available beginning in FY 2014 -15 through the HSGP.
HTA Youth Jobs Initiative: Following Council direction on June 25, 2013, staff
began contract negotiations with the Hospitality Training Academy for a Youth
Jobs Initiative. Through this initiative, HTA would provide assessment and
employment assistance to 50 at -risk young adults (ages 18 -24) with the goal of
training and placing participants within high - growth, high - demand industry
sectors.
In September 2013, staff identified the initial participants eligible for the YRT 2.0 and the
Youth Jobs Initiative. Both St. .Joseph Center and the Hospitality Training Academy
have identified staff to begin outreach to and engagement with these potential
participants, and are poised to begin work with the community pending execution of City
contracts.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
The agreement modification to be awarded to St. Joseph Center is $147,000, for an
amended agreement total not to exceed $802,266. Funds are available in the FY 2013-
14 budget in division 262; agreement will be charged to account 012627.566920.
The agreement to be awarded to Hospitality Training Academy is for an amount not to
exceed $92,688. Funds are available in the FY 2013 -14 budget in division 201;
agreement will be charged to account 01201.579004.
Prepared by: Setareh Yavari, Human Services Manager
Approved:
PGinsberg
tor, Community and Cultural
Services
Forwarded to Council:
L �� $ (2
Rod Gould
City Manager
Reference:
Modified Agreement
Nos. 9415 & 9810
(CCS)