Explanation
BACKGROUND: In 2014 President Obama called on cities, non-profits, and the private sector to collaborate and close opportunity gaps for boys and young men of color (B&YMOC). Columbus was one of the first cities to answer this call. The city and partner organizations brought together more than 500 B&YMOC to ensure that Columbus’ My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) work was grounded in testimony from the target population. Numerous non-profit service providers, schools, and companies have created programs to serve vulnerable youth of color since the launch of the national MBK initiative.
In 2021, the City of Columbus Department of Neighborhoods contracted with Reach Communication to design and implement a youth violence prevention campaign that will increase adult and service provider engagement in support of youth ages 14 to 22. To date, partners and youth service providers have been identified and phase 2 will pilot intervention that includes two (2) cohorts of youth from the Linden and Hilltop neighborhoods.
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into a contract with Reach Communications in an amount up to $340,000.00 to implement the expansion of the extensive, city-wide community-mobilization process, with a focus on reducing and disrupting youth violence in Columbus. It is in the City's best interests to waive competitive bidding to enter into this contract.
Emergency Action is requested in order to immediately implement and expand existing programming to address neighborhood violence impacting boys and young men of color.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available in the Department of Neighborhoods general operating budget, Fund 1000.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into a contract with Reach Communications in an amount up to $340,000.00 to implement the expansion of the extensive, city-wide community-mobilization process, with a focus on reducing and disrupting you...
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