Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Executive
Subject: Use of District-Discretionary Measure K Funds - Supervisorial District 2
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing a one-time grant of district-discretionary Measure K funds, not to exceed $50,000, to Friends for Youth to expand their school-based group mentoring to address rising school dropout rates through an interactive and iterative social emotional learning curriculum for low-income BIPOC youth in San Mateo County and authorizing the County Executive, or designee, to execute the grant agreement.
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BACKGROUND:
Measure K is the half-cent general sales tax initially approved by San Mateo County voters in November 2012 and extended in November 2016 for a total of thirty years.
On March 9, 2021, and March 23, 2021, the Board of Supervisors (Board) held study sessions on Measure K expenditures and anticipated revenue for fiscal years (FY) 2021-23. The Board-appointed Measure K sub-committee, consisting of Supervisor Pine and Supervisor Canepa, convened the study sessions to, among other things, work with staff to facilitate the Board’s development of Measure K priorities and continuing initiatives for FYs 2021-23. The Board approved $5 million in one-time loans or grants for the FY 2021-23 budget cycle, divided equally among the five supervisorial districts, for district-discretionary needs and projects. District 2 has submitted a request to use their district-discretionary Measure K funds as shown below and described in the Project Summary section of this memorandum:
|
District/Project |
Amount |
|
District 2 (Supervisor Noelia Corzo) - Friends for Youth: Expansion of their school-based group mentoring for targeted dropout prevention and early intervention services |
$50,000 |
This item is consistent with the criteria for district-discretionary Measure K funds approved by the Board in December 2018.
PROJECT SUMMARY:
This is a request to authorize a grant to Friends for Youth and resulting grant agreement, in an amount not to exceed $50,000, to provide school-based group mentoring programs to address rising school dropout rates through an interactive and iterative social emotional learning curriculum for low-income BIPOC youth in San Mateo County. The County Executive’s Office will administer and manage the proposed agreement.
Since 1979, Friends for Youth has been the recognized gold standard for 1-to-1 mentoring, matching disenfranchised youth with a caring adult mentor. They continue to prioritize protecting our vulnerable youth populations and foster quality mentoring relationships that stand the test of time; many of their mentorships last for years, or endure for a lifetime. They have made more than 2,500 matches to date with over 90% completing the full one-year program. Friends for Youth places high importance on protecting our vulnerable populations and employs intensive volunteer vetting processes.
In 2016 Friends for Youth launched a school-based group mentoring program to address rising dropout rates for low-income, BIPOC 9th graders in local communities. The goal was to demonstrate that if youth had at least one positive relationship at school, they would stay engaged and remain in school. 100 percent of student participants stay in school while in the Friends in Youth program and many of mentors return year after year to stay with their students through elementary to middle and high school transitions.
The school-based mentorship groups meet weekly, build positive relationships with adults and peers, and learn social emotional skills through an interactive and iterative social emotional learning curriculum that continues to be developed with participating low-income, BIPOC youth. The program is expanding quickly and Friends for Youth has a waitlist of schools that wish to participate.
The proposed Measure K funding would allow Friends for Youth to increase capacity and provide school-based mentorship groups at the following schools in San Mateo County: South City High, Aragon High, Woodside High, Menlo Atherton High, and San Mateo High. Funds will specifically support the hiring of a Program Associate and Program Coordinator salaries for one year.
Program Associate at 20 hours a week: $27,476
Program Coordinator at 40 hours a week: $93,456
Friends for Youth has received funding in the past from: Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Sequoia Healthcare District, Packard Foundation, Sand Hill Foundation, El Camino Healthcare District and Peninsula Healthcare District for its group mentoring programs.
Total Measure K Request: Not to Exceed $50,000
The release of funds will be contingent on the execution of an agreement providing for the County’s confirmation of the expenditure of funds for the purposes stated herein. The County will disburse the funds to the following organization for the purposes described above:
Cecilia Chu, Executive Director
3460 Bayshore Rd
Suite 203
Palo Alto, CA 94303
650-368-4464
cecilia@friendsforyouth.org
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
|
Description |
Target |
|
Establish mentorship programs in South City High, Aragon High, Woodside High, Menlo Atherton High, and San Mateo High. |
2023-24 school year |
|
|
|
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the agreement and resolution as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are sufficient Measure K funds for this specific FY 2022-23 Measure K request. These funds are budgeted in the Non-Departmental Services FY 2022-23 Adopted Budget.