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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-07-12 - AGENDA REPORTS - LACO CHILDRENS COUNCILNEW BUSINESS DATE: SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT: BACKGROUND AGENDA REPORT July 12, 1994 City Manager Approv I AV Item to be present by: Rick Putnam f �1 Los Angeles County Children's Planning Council Parks, Recreation and Community Services Council has requested this item be placed on the agenda for consideration. In June, Council received a letter (attached) from the League of California Cities, Los Angeles County Division, requesting support of a collective program called "City Services for Children and Families." The Division asked the Institute for Local Self Government, the League's 501(c)(3) research arm, to help the Division secure funding to assist cities in developing collaborative integrated children and family services delivery systems with the county and others. Los Angeles County will be participating in a five-year program with the state, under the umbrella of the Los Angeles County Children's Planning Council, to produce a blending of various children's services funding to provide more focused services delivery based on local needs. This could be "restructuring" at its best, if cities are partners in this effort. Attached to this report is the Executive Summary of the proposal the Division and the Institute have submitted to several foundations. If cities are to continue to be players in this important arena, each city must actively support and participate in the work program outlined in the proposal. The Weingart Foundation has committed to partially fund this effort. To secure additional funding, the Division is asking all cities to take the actions listed in the recommendation. RECOMMENDATION 1. That Council adopt resolution 94-92, and support the efforts of the Los Angeles County Division of the League of California Cities; and Send a letter to the Los Angeles County Division of the League of California Cities affirming support of this program. ATTACHMENT Executive Summary REP:mat PACOIMGLVaW''* kl ftpteu.7--i-- =g� Age-74iC3: League of CaRO rniaies Division "cities M1 mi&g7ogerherYor*sponsl6fiHmneRafe" June 6, 1994 T & rt Tauf H. 7�hands, 11 TO: Delegates, Alternates, and City Managers _ Lynpr wood FROM: Paul H. Richards, 11, President; Mayor, Lynwood George Caravalho, Chair, Investing in Our Youth Task Force; Tre (dent-T.fect City Manager, Santa Clarita ya,n of Afber vfey Couru-iI vfem SUBJECT: City Services for Children and Families Ago=:Hills u4 Tresido,x The 88 cities of Los Angeles County have a unique opportunity to collectively address the critical issuesfacing children, youth, and families in our region. Last year, the Division (jinnilloyu CounciC?v[eh,fier asked the Institute for Local Sef Government, the League's 501(c)(3) research arm, to D,uxrte help the Division secure funding to assist cities in developing collaborative, integrated children's and family services delivery systems with the county and others. Tnr suer It is very likely that Los Angeles County will be participating in a five-year program with :Margaret C[a.rk the state, under the umbrella of the. Los Angeles County Children's Planning Council, to Coutuif semmd[en,6cr produce a blending o various children's services 'hosem�nd P g f funding to provide more focused services delivery based on local needs. This could be "restructuring " at its best if cities State Luutue Director are partners in this effort. jLtdVTlrtght Attached is an Executive Summary of the proposal the Division and the Institute have COUMIcf armw�rc„tber C[submitted to several foundations. If'cities are to continue to be players in this important arenwnt arena, each city must actively support and participate in the work program outlined in hnmec{iatr Twt TreSlde,tt the proposal. Wifliam'E.'1Fwmson,. 3r. The Weingart Foundation has committed to partially fund this effort. To secure CasaMember additional funding, we are asking all cities to take the following actions immediately: Pasadeerui "Executive 'Direcwr 1. Share the Executive Summary with your council members and staff, KIM Chudoba - �. AdODi a reS011ltlOn COnU'nitling Vo!!," C!N'.4' pa'T!^!patiQ7; in ty1, r7171d!: )1 'S llhd family capacity -building program outlined in the Executive Surnmary, and 3. Write a letter to the Division endorsing the proposal and committing staff resources to the work program. The letter should highlight your city's anticipated outcomes and the need to address these issues now. Please forward your letter immediately to: Paul H. Richards, 11, President, Los Angeles County Division; League of California Citi�s, 602 East Huntington Drive, Suite C, Monrovia, CA 91016. We are very excited about this opportunity to collectively address the concerns of children, youth, and families. If you have questions regarding this effort, please contact Kim Chudoba, Executive Director, Los Angeles County Division, (8181305-1315) or Clark Goecker, Executive Director, Institute for Local Self Government, (9161444-5790). Attachment 602 East HiintirWon Drive, Suite C, Monrovia, C9191016 • ?efephmx (818) 305-1315 • Fax (818) 305-1345 g�� EXECUTIVE SUMMARY hi LOS ANGELES COUNTY DIVISION �� JJ and INSTITUTE FOR LOCAL SELF GOVERNMENT CITY SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES Problem Statement California cities are faced with three great challenges as they seek to answer a more comprehensive call to improve the quality of life for children andfamilies. First, the children and families of this state are in crisis. Second, as cities attempt to assume local leadership in dealing with these and other issues, they discover that the intergovernmental programs and systems which are supposed to be of assistance are, in fact, part of the problem. The third challenge California cities face is a continuing recession and state tax structure that are causing diminishing state and local revenues. While local leadership is essential and may be the key factor, these challenges cannot be overcome by individual cities working alone. Improving conditions for children andfamilies in this complex society requires the joint commitment of all levels of government and all segments of the community. There is evidence in many cities, and at the state and national levels, that local officials are willing to provide �) the leadership and the mechanisms through which systems can be changed to better meet the needs of the community. In Los Angeles County, serious efforts are now under way to move toward a more coordinated system of services at the county level. Recommendations presented by the Los Angeles Roundtable for Children led the Board of Supervisors to create the Los Angeles County Children's Planning Council in 1991. This public/private/business/education collaborative body has been charged with developing a strategic plan for the coordination of all children's services and the elimination of barriers to integrated services. Progress to date has highlighted the need for more community -based strategies. Passage of AB 1741 (Chapter 951, 1993 Statutes) offers Los Angeles County an opportunity to participate in a five-year program to test the blending of various children's services funding to provide more integrated services for children and families. Under the umbrella of the Los Angeles County Children's Planning Council, there is a unique opportunity for collaborative efforts among the 88 cities and Los Angeles County in jointly establishing integrated children's andfamily services delivery systems. Proposed Project The purpose of the project is to create an environment in which municipal governments and county agencies can work more effectively together and with other pans of the community to achieve the vision which has been adopted by the Children's Planning Council, the County Board of Supervisors, and the Los Angeles County Division of the League of California Cities: "Los Angeles County children should reach adulthood having_ experienced a safe, healthy, and nurturing childhood which prepares them to become responsible and contributing members of the community. " It is the intent of the Institute to provide leadership, information, and technical assistance through the Los Angeles County Division of the League of California Cities and mobilize cities to marshal their resources to become more effective collaborators and intergovernmental partners. Project goals are: 1. To promote opportunities for collaborative work among cities and between cities and other entities by increasing the exchange of information, raising awareness of existing models, and encouraging local initiatives; 2. To provide forums in which the municipal role in improving conditions for children and families can be explored and local leadership, collaborative planning, and implementation capacity can be strengthened; and 3. To develop policy and planning frameworks and ongoing mechanisms that connect cities with the county and other stakeholders in attaining the county vision for children, youth, and families. Action Steps 1. Expand and strengthen the Los Angeles County Division's Leadership Committee on Children and Families. 2. Initiate information sharing and dissemination vehicles for elected officials and staff in the county. 3. Conduct a series of regional capacity -building workshops. 4. Collect information on the scope and breadth of city services and funding for children and families, local collaboratives, and multi -system program initiatives. S. Publish a resource document and an action agenda for cities in Los Angeles County. Antiicivated Results At the end of the year's work in these areas, it is anticipated that children's and family issues will have a significantly higher budget and policy priority in the cities of Los Angeles County and new collaborative efforts will have begun among cities. City and county planning efforts will have been linked in a meaningful way, and the capacity for community -based planning and service delivery will have been improved. The increased commitment and improved structure may also manifest itself locally in many ways, including thefollowing: 1. City officials in certain areas will have become collaborators in the county strategic planning process, with positiveyouth development as the goal. Local resource allocation decisions will be influenced by this joint planning process, which may blend state, county,, and local funding in new, more integrated and cost-effective ways. 2. New joint powers agreements may be created among neighboring cities to more effectively utilize local resources to meet identified needs of children andfamilies. 3. Given new information on how their own municipal budgets impact children andfamilies, and how other cities are improving their operations, several cities might reallocate resources, placing more emphasis on collaborative efforts that would reduce long-term costs by meeting the early developmental needs offamilies more effectively. 4. The action agenda will include specific recommendations to all stakeholders, including the Board of Supervisors, the League of California Cities, and each individual city regarding the role of each in meeting the vision that they share for children, youth, andfamilies in Los Angeles County. Budget- $149,424 EXECU77VE SUMMARY LOS ANGELES COUNTY DIVISION and INSTITUTE FOR LOCAL SELF GOVERNMENT CITY SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES Problem Statement California cities are faced with three great challenges as they seek to answer a more comprehensive call to improve the quality of life for children andfamilies. First, the children and families of this state are in crisis. Second, as cities attempt to assume local leadership in dealing with these and other issues, they discover that the intergovernmental programs and systems which are supposed to be of assistance are, in fact, part of the problem. The third challenge California cities face is a continuing recession and state tax structure that are causing diminishing state and local revenues. While local leadership is essential and may be the key factor, these challenges cannot be overcome by individual cities working alone. Improving conditions for children and families in this complex society requires the joint commitment of all levels of government and all segments of the community. There is evidence in many cities, and at the state and national levels, that local officials are willing to provide the leadership and the mechanisms through which systems can be changed to better meet the needs of the community. In Los Angeles County, serious efforts are now under way to move toward a more coordinated system of services at the county level. Recommendations presented by the Los Angeles Roundtable for Children led the Board of Supervisors to create the Los Angeles County Children's Planning Council in 1991. This public/private/business/education collaborative body has been charged with developing a strategic plan for the coordination of all children's services and the elimination of barriers to integrated services. Progress to date has highlighted theneed for more community -based strategies. Passage of AB 1741 (Chapter 951, 1993 Statutes) offers Los Angeles County an opportunity to participate in a five-year program to test the blending of various children's services funding to provide more integrated services for children and families, Under the umbrella of the. Los Angeles County Children's Planning Council, there is a unique opportunity for collaborative efforts among the 88 cities and Los Angeles County in jointly establishing integrated children's andfamily services delivery systems. Proposed Proi The purpose of the project is to create an environment in which municipal governments and county agencies can work more effectively together and with other parts of the community to achieve the vision which has been adopted by the Children's Planning Council, the County Board of Supervisors, and the Los Angeles County Division of the League of California Cities: "Los Angeles County children should reach adulthood having experienced a safe, healthy, and nurturing childhood which prepares them to become responsible and contributing members of the community. It is the intent of the Institute to provide leadership, information, and technical assistance through the Los Angeles County Division of the League of California Cities and mobilize cities to marshal their resources to become more effective collaborators and intergovernmental partners. Project goals are: 1. To promote opportunities for collaborative work among cities and between cities and other entities by increasing the: exchange of information, raising awareness of existing models, and encouraging local initiatives; 2. To provide forums in which the municipal role in improving conditions for children and families can be explored and local leadership, collaborative planning, and implementation capacity can be strengthened; and 3. To develop policy and planning frameworks and ongoing mechanisms that connect cities with the county and other stakeholders in attaining the county vision for children, youth, and families. Action Steps 1. Expand and strengthen the Los Angeles County Division's Leadership Committee on Children and Families. 2. Initiate information sharing and dissemination vehicles for elected officials and staff in the county. 3. Conduct a series of regional capacity -building workshops. 4. Collect information on the scope and breadth of city services andfending for children andfamilies, local collaboratives, and multi -system program initiatives. 5. Publish a resource document and an action agenda for cities in Las Angeles County. Anticipated Results At the end of the year's work in these areas, it is anticipated that children's and family issues will have a significantly higher budget and policy priority in the cities of Los Angeles County and new collaborative efforts will have begun among cities. City and county planning efforts will have been linked in a meaningful way, and the capacity for community -based planning and service delivery will have been improved. The increased commitment and improved structure may also manifest itself locally in many ways, including the following: 1. City officials in certain areas will, have become collaborators in the county strategic planning process, with positive youth development as the goal. Local resource allocation decisions will be influenced by this joint planning process, which may blend state, county, and local funding in new, more integrated and cost-effective ways. 2. New joint powers agreements may be created among neighboring cities to more effectively utilize local resources to meet identified needs of children and families. 3. Given new information on how their own municipal budgets impact children andfamilies, and how other cities are improving their operations, several cities might reallocate resources, placing more emphasis on collaborative efforts that would reduce long-term costs by meeting the early developmental needs of families more effectively. 4. The action agenda will include specific recommendations to all stakeholders, including the Board of Supervisors, the League of California Cities, and each individual city regarding the role of each in meeting the vision that they share for children, youth, and families in Los Angeles County. Budget - $149,424 2 RESOLUTION NO. 94-92 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, RELATING TO YOUTH WHEREAS, the welfare of our children is of critical importance to all citizens and our future; WHEREAS, according to Children Now and other recognized organizations committed to well-being of children, California's children are more likely to grow up poor, have babies as teenagers, be victims of homicide, and be unemployed than other children in the United States; and WHEREAS, over the past four years, the trend for teenagers has shown 59-percent increase in the youth homicide rate, a 23-percent increase in the teenage birth rate, and an 81-percent increase in the youth unemployment rate; and WHEREAS, for too many children there are no safe havens; home, school, or the streets present challenges beyond their abilities, leading today's children to find their "care" in gangs or tagging teams, an alternative "family" where they canfind comfort, belonging, and self-esteem or through escaping life realities through drug and alcohol use; and WHEREAS, neglecting the needs of our children has costly and tragic consequences, including exposure to the "revolving door" of incarceration resulting in potentially little or no rehabilitation at a cost of $20,000 of tax dollars spent per inmate each year; and WHEREAS, California must act immediately, under the leadership of the Governor and the State Legislature, in partnership with education and religious institutions, the business community, and all segments of the population including children's advocacy organizations and all citizens; and WHEREAS, the League of California Cities' Board of Directors has identified youth as a priority issue; and WHEREAS, the League, through its policy committee structure, provides a focal point for the discussion of all issues confronting cities, and reviews and recommends legislation and appropriate actions to the League Board of Directors. NOW, THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA DOES RESOLVE to support in full the Youth Services Policy Committee, established by the General Assembly of the League of California Cities. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this day of 11994. ATTEST: STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) § CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ) I DONNA M. GRINDEY, City Clerk, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita at a regular meeting thereof, held on the day of , 1994, by the following vote of the City Council: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS MAT Px WOL",.9192