Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to accept a Grant for expanding the APPS job readiness program to teens and young adults who currently have open misdemeanor cases with the juvenile court system and to enter into contract with Franklin County. The grant amount has a maximum award amount of $220,000.00.
The primary components of the program are training, mentoring/coaching and performance based rewards. Participants will have the opportunity to receive training, mentoring and job placement into various divisions of the Department of Recreation and Parks that can include park maintenance, outdoor education, community recreation, aquatics and youth and family development as well as select contract agencies, community organizations and businesses. The goal is to provide teens and young adults with an enriching experience that has redeeming value for their future career paths and reaching self-sufficiency. Fundamentally the program seeks to move participants in many cases from poverty to middle class not in just financial terms but in network, education and exposure to opportunities and life possibilities.
The APPS Job Readiness Program was successfully initiated in the summer of 2017 to a group of 30 teens and young adults who had not had contact with the criminal justice system. This grant provides an opportunity to expand this program to teen and young adult populations who have open misdemeanors. The grant funding will cover three 8-week sessions.
Each session will have 20 participants. Selected participants will not have felony cases but typically will have open misdemeanor disorderly conduct, assault or domestic violence cases. Participants will be made up of both probation and non-probation teens and young adults that currently have open misdemeanor cases with the juvenile court system. Participants will be considered City of Columbus employees and held to the same standards. They will be thoroughly screened with an interview, background check and drug screen. It is at the discretion of the City of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department APPS program which referrals are selected for the program.
Principal Parties:
Franklin County Juvenile Court
373 S High St., 6th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Subha Lembach, (614) 525-4467
Benefits to the Public: The APPS 128 hour or eight week job readiness program is strategically designed with emphasis on training and mentorship to prepare teens and young adults to get, keep and excel at their current or future job opportunities. With a fundamental focus on investment in soft skill development, holistic job readiness training, coaching and career exploration that provides a foundation that transcends time and industry; we will produce a marketable sought after millennial prepared to seize workforce opportunities.
Community Input Issues: In 2014, CRPD developed a Conceptual Master Plan for the Southgate Parkland. This Master Plan was reviewed and approved by the Far South Columbus Area Commission in October 2014. The Area Commission would be further involved as detailed plans are developed.
Area(s) Affected: City wide
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the mission of the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by:
• Investing public/private partnerships to meet facility and program needs
• Improving communication and community outreach
Fiscal Impact: The fiscal impact of this ordinance will be to reduce the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund's unappropriated balance by the amount of the grant award, which has a maximum award amount of $220,000.00.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of Recreation and Parks to accept a grant from the Franklin County Juvenile Court to expand the APPS Job Readiness Program to teens and young adults that currently have open misdemeanor cases with the juvenile court system; and to authorize the appropriation of an amount not to exceed $220,000.00 to the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund. ($220,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Franklin County Juvenile Court has awarded the city of Columbus, Department of Recreation and Park, a grant for the APPS Job Readiness Program; and
WHEREAS, providing job readiness training will benefit the City of Columbus by providing at risk youth with the tools and training to get, keep and excel at their current or future job opportunities; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Recreation and Park to authorize and direct the Director to accept a grant from the Franklin County Juvenile Court in the amount not to exceed $220,000.00 for the operation of the Job Readiness Program; NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Recreation and Parks is hereby authorized and directed to accept a grant from the Franklin County Juvenile Court in the amount not to exceed $220,000.00.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies in the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund 2283, and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources during the grant period and upon receipt of an executed grant agreement, the amount of the grant award, not to exceed $220,000.00 and any other eligible interest earned during the grant period is authorized to be appropriated to Fund 2283 Recreation and Parks Grant Fund, per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the monies in the foregoing Section 2 shall be paid upon order of the Director of Recreation and Parks, and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 4. At the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which it originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 5. 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 6. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.