…BACKGROUND:
In 2014, the White House, under President Barack Obama, launched the My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) initiative to address persistent opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color and ensure that all young people can reach their full potential. Through this initiative, the Administration called on cities, businesses, and foundations to take important steps to connect young people to mentoring, support networks, and help them gain the skills they need to find a good job or go to college and work their way into the middle class. The milestones associated with the My Brother’s Keeper initiative include having young people enter school ready to learn, reading at grade level by third grade, graduating from high school ready for college, completing post-secondary education or training, successfully entering the workforce, and providing a second chance to those with past criminal offenses. In responding to the call to action, the Department of Neighborhoods established the My Brother’s Keeper Village to be the hub of all work throughout the City of Columbus.
On July 16, 2018, Columbus City Council adopted resolution number 0208X-2018 to create The Commission on Black Girls (The Commission or COBG). The creation of COBG was led by former Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson. The impetus for creating The Commission was the disparities that Black women experience in several areas including but not limited to: homelessness, eviction, infant mortality, maternal mortality, and the wage gap. To change this trajectory, the intent was to start at earlier stages of development and focus on girls. Charged with studying the quality of life of Black girls in Columbus, The Commission released a report in July 2020 with 18 recommendation areas that are intended to improve services and systemic issues that impact Black girls. The three main areas of focus in the report include Education, Economics, and Mental & Emotional Health.
Explanation
The Department of Neighborhoods houses youth engagement initiatives including The Commission on Black Girls (COBG) and My Brother’s Keeper (MBK). Both programs focus on services and support for Black youth, respectively COBG focuses on Black girls and MBK centers is efforts on Boys and Young Men of Color. Additionally, this legislation is important to provide funding for summer programming and internships; because both initiatives prioritize education and employment experiences that not only support youth economically, but also provide safe environments that may deter youth from engaging in behaviors that could negatively impact their futures.
Due to the effects of COVID-19, the City of Columbus recognizes many organizations providing summer employment opportunities may not have the capacity to do so in 2023.
Through the American Rescue Plan, up to $280,000.00 is allocated to distribute to qualified Columbus area nonprofit agencies. Sub-award grant agreement will be awarded to Columbus Urban League. The nonprofit organization will serve at-risk boys and young men of color and black girls between the ages of 14-24 to help ease the challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Importantly, all expenses must be eligible under the United States Treasury American Rescue Plan guidelines. Expenses must be necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) between March 10, 2021 and December 31, 2024.
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested to ensure that students can benefit from summer employment opportunities.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is provided to the City of Columbus from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund passed by Congress on March 10, 2021 and signed into law on March 11, 2021.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: the vendor number is
Columbus Urban League 006073 and is valid from 2/22/2022-2/22/2024
Title
To authorize the transfer and expenditure of up to $280,000.00 within the Department of Neighborhoods; to authorize the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into a sub-recipient grant agreement with the Columbus Urban League in an amount up to $280,000.00 to add needed capacity to address COVID-19 specific services for boys and young men of color and black girls; to authorize the payment of expenses starting May 16, 2023; and to declare an emergency. ($280,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the lack of summer employment opportunities; and
WHEREAS, The Mayor and City Council are committed to the mission and work of the My Brother’s Keeper and the Commission on Black Girls; and,
WHEREAS, expenditure of funds is necessary within the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund to address unforeseen needs within the population of boys and young men of color and black girls caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency; and,
WHEREAS, such expenditure of funds has not been previously accounted for within the 2023 Budget; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Neighborhoods such that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into sub-recipient grant agreement with the non-profit organization the Columbus Urban League to allow them to immediately provide additional COVID-19 specific services to their members and the non-profit sector; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1: That the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods is hereby authorized to enter into a sub-recipient grant agreement with the following organization to allow them to begin providing additional COVID-19 specific services to their members and the non-profit sector in an amount up to $280,000.00 effective May 16, 2023.
Columbus Urban League $280,000
SECTION 2: That the transfer and expenditure of up to $280,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 2209 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, Dept-Div 48-01, in object class 05 (Grants) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3: That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4: That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this legislation.
SECTION 5: That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes.