Title
Resolution Approving the City of Hampton, Virginia's Participation in and Appropriation of the 2016 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Title II Grant Program through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
When the Safe and Clean Initiative was launched, a major focus was placed on physical attributes that could make a neighborhood unsafe. Law enforcement and codes inspectors worked to address concerns related to blight and unsafe living conditions. A curfew for minors was established and the Hampton Department of Social Services also began to work to find permanent housing for families that were utilizing motels for long-term living arrangements. All of these efforts have been helpful with reducing crime but it became evident that a comprehensive and sustainable plan requires investing in existing staff to implement evidenced-based programming for youth who are already participating in programs offered by the Department of Parks and Recreation.
Discussion:
In the past, prevention programming has been offered to students by an outside facilitator. Depending on an outside organization is not sustainable in the long term because of the related expenses. Grant funds are necessary to support prevention programming efforts. In the past, external prevention programs were either provided in a youth development program package or were cost prohibitive for participants. This grant enables the City to train existing staff to facilitate Botvin Life Skills Training with young people who participate in Parks and Recreation programs. The Safe and Clean project expansion will address ACJJ Priority Area three; Reducing behavioral health issues of at-risk youth and those involved in the juvenile justice system by addressing substance abuse. The proposed project seeks to reduce these risk factors by increasing participation for youth in promising programs that address substance abuse.
Impact:
This addition to our Safe and Clean efforts increases sustainability by training existing staff at multiple levels to reduce long term expenses. Hampton Parks and Recreation engages over 500 unduplicated youth ages 6-17, in programs offered in one of the seven communities or neighborhood centers. Five of the centers are in Safe and Clean areas and lie in census tracts (106.02, 106.01, 109, 113, 115, and 105.01) where an average of 23% of individuals have received food stamps or SNAP benefits, again supporting poverty as a risk factor for substance abuse. Parks and Recreation staff will receive training to implement the Botvin Life Skills Curriculum, recruit youth to participate, and complete participant tracking information for youth who attend programs offered year round at community and neighborhood centers. The overall goal and objectives for this project are listed below:
Engage 300 youth, grades 3-12 in alternative, socially positive programming to reduce delinquent behavior and promote substance abuse prevention.
The Life Skills curriculum is a program is a proven program that has been shown to reduce juvenile delinquency and support substance abuse prevention. The program has been recognized for prevention excellence by the following organizations: National Institute on Drug Abuse, U.S Department of Education, American Psychological Association, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Life Skills Curriculum is also listed in SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence based Programs and Practices, and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Model Programs Guide as Effective. Parks and Recreation intends to adopt the Life Skills Curriculum as a program offering.
Recommendation:
Rec
Approve on first and final reading.
Body
WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services has awarded a 2016 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Title II Grant Program to the City of Hampton in the amount of $7,798.00 with no local match required total grant amount of $7,798.00; and
WHEREAS, the grant award covers the period January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia accepts and appropriates the 2016 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Title II Grant Program in the amount of $7,798.00 awarded and any related supplemental funding by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services 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.