Title
Resolution Approving the City of Hampton, Virginia’s Participation in and Appropriation of Funds for the 2016 Tobacco Use Prevention for Children received from the Virginia Foundation of Healthy Youth
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
The City of Hampton Department of Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services proposes to facilitate the "Too Good for Drugs" curriculum with funding from the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth grant for children participating in out of school programs in the city. Various sites include community centers, school age program, after school programs and community groups such as; Inspiring Minds, Girls Inc., and Newtown Learning Center.
The focus is to reach Hampton children, ages 6 through 12 in kindergarten through sixth grade and help them learn how to make positive, healthy lifestyles choices. Due to the success of this program in Virginia, in 2009 the Foundation was renamed and the mission was expanded to include childhood obesity. Originally established by the Virginia General Assembly as Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation (VTSF) in 1999, the Virginia Foundation of Healthy Youth (VFHY) now leads statewide efforts to reduce and prevent youth tobacco use and childhood obesity.
The VFHY initiatives are programs, marketing, research and public relations. The objective is to implement prevention programs and projects that promote healthy youth through: integration of science-based tobacco use prevention curricula in youth settings, community level adaptations through policy, systems and environmental change.
Discussion:
The City of Hampton Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Department has been awarded a 3-year grant (2015-2018), in the amount of $138,283.00 ($45,872 per year) from the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth (VFHY). VFHY is the exclusive funder for this grant. This grant has allowed Hampton Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Services to lead the implementation of the 10 week, "Too Good for Drugs" curriculum to 22 Hampton City Schools' school aged-program sites; 6 summer sites and 2 community programs (Girls Inc. and Inspiring Minds). This program is beneficial to the community because it promotes the importance of goal setting, managing stress, building self-esteem, identifying and maintaining healthy friendships for students. The overarching goal is to promote to youth a drug and tobacco free lifestyle.
Impact:
The City of Hampton Community Plan outlines several community goals that are addressed by VFHY’s programming. The Community Plan aims to address Goal 3, community health/healthy families by creating “…a culture of disease prevention and health promotion." More specifically, two measurements of this goal state, “the percentage of teens that use tobacco products will decrease 10% each year” and “the percentage of adult tobacco users will decrease 5% each year”. Goal 4, “Hampton will maximize awareness of health education resources”, is also addressed by VFHY’s programming. The "Too Good for Drugs" material being taught in community centers, afterschool programs, and community groups specifically addresses tobacco and drug use, alcohol abuse and positive decision making. The implementation of this health education resource can help Hampton achieve its goal of a healthy community and healthy families.
Recommendation:
Rec
Approve.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Hampton has applied for Tobacco Use Prevention Program for Children grant and awarded the amount of $48,872 in State funds; and
WHEREAS, participation in the Tobacco Use Prevention Program fluctuates, either decreasing or increasing the final amount; and
WHEREAS, the grant application covers the period July 1, 2016 through June, 30, 2017;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hampton accepts and appropriates the Tobacco Use Prevention Program for Children grant in the amount of $45,872, and any related supplemental funding, made by the Virginia Foundation of Healthy Youth in accordance with the grant agreement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council authorizes the City Manager, or her designee, to take the necessary steps to implement this grant award.