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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-12-13 - AGENDA REPORTS - COUNCIL SC CMTY YOUTH MP (2)AGENDA REPORT City Manager Approval i Item to be presented by:,, --7 CONSENT CALENDAR Rick Putnam DATE: December 13, 1994 SUBJECT: Resolution of the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita Supporting the Efforts of the Community Youth Master Plan Committee RESOLUTION NO. 94-134 DEPARTMENT: Parks, Recreation and Community Services Approximately six months ago City Manager George Caravalho convened a group of individuals representing various youth serving organizations, the Sheriffs Department, City staff and individuals to explore future program and activity options for our youth population. At the urging of the City Manager and Mayor George Pederson, this group was challenged to develop and implement a long-term master plan addressing all areas of interest and/or concern to our young community. Captain Michael Quinn of the Sheriffs Department immediately assigned staff the task of researching other communities for similar efforts. Citizen representatives of the Sheriffs Advisory Committee assumed the responsibility for organizing this effort. After approximately three months in the planning phase, the concept of a youth master plan emerged, and is represented by the material attached to this agenda report. In an effort chaired by Santa Clarita resident, Mr. Edward Redd, over 40 individuals have participated in developing the youth master plan concept. Mr. Redd and other members of the executive committee, as well as youth representatives, will present brief comments relative to the need to develop such a plan. That the City Council adopt Resolution Number 94-134 supporting the efforts of the Community Youth Master Plan Committee. Santa Clarita Youth Master Plan Committee Notes and Related Material REP:mat PRCOUN=\AGYMP1.294 Adopted: -i,3- �� Agenda Item: What is it? The Santa Clarita Master Plan is a community- wide process to research, coordinate, and plan for a supportive network of effective youth programs. The plan includes all age groups from birth to transitional youth, from all socio-economic and educational levels. Because this is a community -wide effort it reaches all young people in the Santa Clarita Valley. The Plan focuses on preventive services and youth development rather than crisis management. The plan hopes to develop new relationships among nonprofit groups, religious institutions, law enforcement, business community, and city government. Vision Statement The community of Santa Clarita is committed to bringing together its numerous existing resources to develop a supportive and encouraging environment for all of our youth. This community effort will promote communication and corroboration between existing agencies to assess and address the wide range of needs of our young people and their families. It will coordinate efforts to meet those identified needs in a complete and comprehensive manner.. It will produce and implement a dynamic plan to provide a safe, healthy and positive environment to support our youth in becoming responsible and contributing members of society Guiding Principles We believe: • In synergistic results when agencies and community members plan and work together. Prevention should be the primary focus of planning. • In developing a community -wide plan that addresses the physical, emotional and social needs of youths of all ages and backgrounds. • Any youth plan must also look to the needs and concerns of parents and families. • In affirming youth as resources, youth must be included in any community planning effort. • Evaluation of our progress is the key to staying focused and remaining dynamic. HOW CAN YOU HELP? The Santa Clarita Youth Master Plan Committee needs help from everyone. If you are interested in helping, and being involved in the process by: joining one of the Youth Master plan subcommittees, • arranging for a community presentation, • giving your opinion on youth issues, • volunteering some of your time, • providing clerical support, or providing meeting rooms, please contact: Rick Putnam (805) 255-4978 City of Santa Clarita Parks and Recreation Paul Leitzell (805) 294-1394 Pyles Boys Camp a SANTA CLARITA YOUTH MASTER PLAN WORKING TOGETHER TO SUPPORT OUR YOUTHAND FAMILIES RESOLUTION NO. 94-134 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA RELATING TO THE COMMUNITY YOUTH MASTER PLAN WHEREAS, the welfare of our children and families is of critical importance to all citizens and our future; and WHEREAS, the National Institute of Health recently declared that violence among our youth is now of national epidemic; and WHEREAS, the issues affecting our young people regarding violence, gangs, graffiti, drugs, AIDS, racism, etc., stem from significant shifts in demographic social, economic, and structural problems in the family; and WHEREAS, the criminal justice system in the United States has increasingly been used as the main vehicle through which this society handles its social problems; and WHEREAS, the citizens of Santa Clarita must act immediately to form coalitions and partnerships for the purpose of assisting youth and families in dealing with the growing social ills of our society; and WHEREAS, the group of interested adults and youth have already begun the process of developing a community -wide Youth and Family Master Plan. NOW, THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA DOES RESOLVE to support the efforts and undertakings of the Community Youth Master Plan Committee. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this day of 1994. 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 therof, held on the day of 1994, bythe followingvote of the City Council: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: SAS PRCO MCMV\ 04134.saa SANTA CLARITA YOUTH MASTER PLAN COMMITTEE SANTA CLARITA VALLEY YOUTH MASTER PLAN PURPOSE To create a unified community plan to address the growing youth crisis facing the Santa Clarita Valley. BACKGROUND The Santa Clarita Valley is experiencing a growing acceleration of "youth" problems. This includes an increase in gang activity, violence, racism, tagging and other related problems. It is generally recognized that these problems, while growing, are still manageable in relation to the San Fernando Valley and L.A. basin. The Santa Clarity Valley is also blessed with numerous and wide-ranging organizations and resources that have formed to combat this multi -faceted issue: Each organization is providing a valuableservice. THE PROBLEM A problem common to many communities, including ours, is that there is little, if any, communication between these organizations. This has led to duplication`of efforts, inefficient competition for the increasingly scarce dollar and confusion to individuals within the community who need and would access these resources if they were made known to them. Reports from the Justice Department and other communities who are successfully dealing with youth issues have many common elements, however, one key point repeatedly made is the need for agencies and individuals to plan and communicate as a team. "Successful prevention strategies must address the reasons why youth join gangs and must involve la w enforcement, parents, schools and the community. " gangs 2000: 6Wfozzda Denarhmnt of.lusace. Another key point made is that "ATo single group can influence the entire array of circumstances in which gangs thrive, No single agency or profession is likely to have the breadth oflmowledge and perspecrzvf ; needed to respond effectively to gangs. Worldng together in a way that aligns resources according common plan is essential" Pm -youth Neighborhoods and Communities in Mare County The Santa Clarita Valley has a shrinking window of opportunity to take a proactive approach to pros+:: effective, positive solutions before this problem does become unmanageable. ythcoml.w There is an urgent need in this valley to: 1) facilitate the creation of a "community master plan for youth" that will produce a unified vision of what needs to be achieved for the youth of our community 2) identify and match existing needs to the available resources in the most cost-efficient and effective manner possible 3) develop tools to build effective communication, acoountability .and assessment of progress between :1opa1 government, business, nonprofit and community groups 4) create opportunities for agencies, government and individuals to provide innovative new programs for youth 5) actively disseminate available resources to the community at large BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY 1) Increased community collaboration, communication and efficiency of efforts between agencies 2) Increased community awareness and activism 3) Provide an outlet for youth of SCV to be heard and have input to decisions affecting them 4) Will create a clear vision and direction to guide future efforts POSSOLE STRATEGY FOR IMPLEMENTATION 1) Obtain sanction and commitment from each of the "pillars" (schools, city, law enforcement, probation, courts, social services, youth, business community, non -profits and volunteer groups) 2) Define criteria for steering committee and select steering committee a. Steering committee must represent as broad a base as possible'and include all of the pillars 3) Create and adopt a vision statement and guiding principles 4) Set goals, objectives and time lines 5) Create a framework to accomplish goals and objectives 6) Create sub -committees to implement the goals and gather the data and community input ythcoml.w 2 7) Hold community meetings, forums and other information gathering meetings 8) Gather and interpret demographic data 9) Develop draft document 10) Review of draft document by Steering Committee 11) Finalize document and implement ythcoml.txt 3' Santa Clarita Youth Development Committee VISION STATEMENT The community of Santa Clarita is committed to bringing together its numerous existing resources to develop a supportive and encouraging environment for all of our youth. This community effort will promote communication and collaboration between existing agencies to ` assess and address the wide range of needs of our young people and their families. It will coordinate efforts to meet those identified needs in a complete and comprehensive manner. It will produce and implement a dynamic plan to provide a safe, healthy and positive environment to support our youth in becoming responsible and contributing members of society. GUIDING PRINCIPLES We believe: • In synergistic results when agencies and community members plan and work together • Prevention should be the primary focus of planning • In developing a community -wide plan that addresses the physical, emotional and social needs of youths of all ages and backgrounds. • Any youth plan must also look to the needs and concerns of parents and families. • In affirming youth as resources, youth must be included in any community planning effort. • Evaluation of our progress is the key to staying focused and remaining dynamic. visioo:ty YOUTH DEVELOPMENT MASTER PLAN PLANNING COMMITTEE A broad community based planning committee has been assembled to develop this community effort. The Planning , Committee will be comprised. of members from - the' city'." law enforcement, schools, business community, non -profits, churches, youth and concerned citizens and seek to represent as broad an interest base as possible. This Master Plan will seek to assess and address in a comprehensive manner, the needs and opportunities facing our community in relation to its youth. The committee will develop a dynamic Master Plan that will: a) analysis demographics; service needs and existing resources" b) recommend system, policy and program changes which will more effectively utilize existing resources, coordinate services and eliminate gaps and overlap of public, private, non-profit and voluntary services c) develop tools to build effective collaboration, accountability and assessment of progress between local government, business, youth, non-profit and community groups. d) facilitate the creation of opportunities for agencies, government and individuals to provide innovative new programs for youth. e) actively disseminate available resources to the community at large. f) recommend a mechanism for continuing the collaborative decision making, planning and monitoring that includes community participation The planning committee will be empowered to create sub -committees as needed to gather data and develop recommendations. The planning committee will make periodic and timely reports to a Steering Committee that is comprised of representatives of local governmental and law enforcement agencies, community organizations, youth and concerned citizens. vision -w SANTA CLARITA YOUTH MASTER PLAN COMMITTEE CREATING A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR YOUTH Participants City of Santa Clarita Sheriffs Advisory Sheriffs Department Parks commissioner L.A. County Probation Newhall.School Board United,Mothers Alhambra Schools Dean Santa Clarita Chamber American Red Cross M.A.R.0 Newhall Land and Farm Pyles Boys Camp Newhall Courts Citizens L.A. County community Services Coordinator SCV Center for Emotional Well-being SCV Prenancy Center Saugus School Board Boys and Girls Club City of Santa Clarita Santa Clarita Anti -Gang Task Force Parks and Recreation Youth Social Services Department L.A. County Grace Baptist Church SCV Child and Family Development Center Canyon Country Chamber Youth Master Plan Strategic Plan Sub Committee Organizational outline and time frame 1. Purpose: To create opportunities with youth, public and private agencies, community groups and individuals 'to provide innovative new programs to fill immediate youth needs. • to develop tools to build effective communication, accountability and assessment of progress between youth, public and private agencies, individuals and community groups • to identify and match existing needs to the available resources in the most cost-efficient and effective manner possible to actively disseminate available resources to the community at large 2. Time frame of plan: 1-3 years 3. Length of planning time will be 4- 6 months 4. Format 1 approach will be a blend of traditional planning methods utilizing: a. research and review of existing and concurrent planning documents. b. condensation of demographic data and trends to bullet sheet(s) - demographics committee to do c. research and review of existing services, agencies and what they provide d. 2 - one day community input forums 1. At same location, on same day but in different rooms hold first stage meetings with (a)youth and (b)service providers, business and community representatives. Each to identify trends, key issues and priorities. eg come up with top ten issues in priority order. (Youth committee will identify and organize youth representatives and coordinate this forum) 2. Within two to three weeks consolidate date and issues from both meetings, convene a second meeting with representatives. of both youth and community, business, agencies to decide top priority issues, possible solutions and accountibility Draft document, review, revise, approve, implement. stragpin,t