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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 08012006 - D.63 FHS #58 Contra TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Costa WF FROM: Family and Human ServiCounty DATE: August 1, 2006 C'UUN'C SUBJECT: Update on Activities of the Countywide Youth Commission SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATIONS(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATION ACCEPT report from the Countywide Youth Commission on their activities over the past year. FISCAL IMPACT None. BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION On July 17, 2006 the Countywide Youth Commission (Commission) presented its annual report to the Family and Human Services Committee. The Commission reviewed there accomplishments in the areas of communications, events and outreach, and policy over the past twelve months and discussed their plans for the 2006-07 fiscal year. A copy of their report is attached. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES SIGNAT E: _RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR X RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S): Supervisor Mark DeSaulnier Supervisor Federal Glover ACTION OF BOARD ON APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER_ VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A �C UNANIMOUS (ABSENT _) TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN AYES: NOES: I ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ON THE ABSENT: ABSTAIN: MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. Contact: Gary Villalba, (925) 313-1481 ATTESTED O ( _ Ong. Dept.: Youth Commission JOHN C LLEN, CLE OF cc: County Administrator— Dorothy Sansoe THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BY DEPUTY Referral#58 2005-2006 Summary of Accomplishments Presented to the Family, & Human Services Committee on July 17, 2006 The Countywide Youth Commission, or CYC, was founded in 1995 by Supervisor Mark DeSaulnier to provide a link from the Board of Supervisors to the youth of Contra Costa County. With 25 youth members, aged 12-18, who reside or attend school within the confines of the county, the CYC has worked to further that aforementioned goal. The members of the CYC are either appointed from each of the five districts throughout the county or they are appointed as an at-large member. For each district, there are three (3) commissioners and one (1) adult volunteer. In addition, there are ten (10) at- large members, who can live in any area of the county, and one (1) coordinator. Last year the CYC had 16 graduating seniors and 3 other Commissioners that decided to focus their senior year on studying. Thus we started the year with the challenge of filling vacant seats which waslvery difficult. Each year our biggest challenge is finding applicants in East and West County but we feel we have made some progress in making school contacts which will help us come up to full strength in 2006-2007. Even though we were light on Commissioners, we had an extremely successful year and accomplished many important tasks. During the year we have worked with the following individuals or groups: • Zero Tolerance: requested the CYC be a focus group for their program • County Library: discussed their Teen Reading Program and proposed designs of new libraries • Tobacco Prevention Project: asked for support of the Second Hand Smoke Ordinance • Supervisor DeSaulnier and the Tobacco Prevention Project: asked for support of the Tobacco Retailer License Ordinance • Friday Night Live: reviewed Teen Advocates for Change Program • Public Health Department: presented HIV/AIDS Services Survey • Disproportionate Minority Contact Initiative: asked Commission for input on gaps in youth services • Alcohol and Other Drugs Advisory Board: provided input at CYC meetings The Commission's three subcommittees, Communications, Events & Outreach and Policy, worked diligently throughout the year. Following are in-depth descriptions of what each of the subcommittees achieved during the year. Summary of Major Activities of the Commission in 2005-2006 Communications: This year, the Communications Subcommittee pursued the goals of increasing communication between the CYC and the youth of Contra Costa. The CYC put out a three page newsletter, The Bridge. The first two pages consisted of articles written by members of the subcommittee, and the last page was a detachable application for joining the CYCI next term. Five hundred copies of the newsletters were printed and distributed to libraries, Park and Recreation Departments and other youth frequented facilities. As school was finishing up for the year, we focused on non-school distribution points. The Communications Subcommittee also made gains in cyberspace. We maintained our Web site, www.cyc.typepad.com, with applications, the Report on Youth-Law Enforcement Relations, the Youth Hall of Fame and The Bridge. Recognizing the growing popularity of the networking web site MySpace, we created a profile. Events & Outreach: The year 2006 was very productive for the Events & Outreach Subcommittee. We completed the annual Contra Costa County Youth Hall of Fame Awards, designed to honor 5 outstanding youth and 1 adult advocate in the community who are typically not recognized for their achievements and contributions. We received 40 nominations in 6 categories: Good Samaritan, Valiant Volunteer, Artiste, School Leadership, Sports Leadership and Adult Advocate. We feel that this year's winners represented some of the best nominations that we Have seen in the last few years thus making the decisions very difficult. The winners were presented with their awards at the 13th annual Cesar E. Chavez Commemorative Celebration on April 4, 2006 at the Board of Supervisors' Chambers in Martinez. We also assisted in the planning of the Contra Costa County Youth Summit 2006 in Oakley on April 22nd. We created the questions and facilitated the Community Youth Forum at the Summit and provided overall support the day of the event. After the event, we provided written feedback to make the next Youth Summit even more successful. Policy: The Policy Subcommittee's primary focus this year was the completed Report on Youth- Law Enforcement Relations inl Contra Costa County. The 2003 Youth Forums voiced numerous concerns about law l enforcement. With this in mind, the CYC gathered more information on the relationship between youth and law enforcement by creating and distributing a comprehensive survey. The survey was completed by almost 2600 students from ten schools across the County. The results were then tabulated, analyzed and recommendations made. he report was distributed to all of the Police Departments in the county, the Office of the Sheriff, the Teenage Program, Friday Night Live, the Center for Human Development, Alcohol and Other Drugs Advisory Board, JSPAC, the surveyed schools, all school districts offices within the county, the County Office of Education, the Board of Supervisors, the Juvenile Courts, the County Library and other groups we made presentations to or that requested the report. The Commission also followed up with several of the recipients for feedback on the report. The Policy Committee also prepared a CYC Resolution of Support for the Tobacco Retailer License Ordinance and the County Second Hand Smoke Ordinance. Two members of the CYC attended and spoke at the City of Concord meeting to discuss the concern of youth and easy access to tobacco. One Commissioner and the CYC Coordinator went on a tobacco purchase ride and experienced how easy it was to purchase tobacco as an underage youth. The CYC also endorsed the County Library's Teen Reading Program. Ilanning for 2006-2007 In the coming year, the Countywide Youth Commission will expand upon the foundation it has built throughout this yeas and the previous years, in addition to creating and working on new projects to further the voice of youth. Goals: • Recruit Commissioners for the coming year and work to retain Commissioners in order to maintain a full roster • Act as a sounding board and advisory group to county departments/organizations including: The Tobacco Prevention Project, the Northern California Family Center, the Community Wellness and Prevention Project, and the Contra Costa County Transit Authority • Initiate Youth Forums to discuss issues/concerns of youth in the county • Build a bridge with City Youth Councils to work on projects together and increase the recognition of City(Youth Councils • Collaborate with school government and leadership classes on issues of concerns to youth (i.e. issues from the Youth Forums) • Assist in the planning of the Youth Summit • Expand the recognitio of the Youth Hall of Fame and the Cesar E. Chavez Commemorative Celebration • Create The Bridge Newsletter and work to increase awareness of the CYC among youth We look forward to continuing our work of providing a voice for the youth of Contra Costa County and addressingnew youth related issues. We greatly appreciate the support of the Board of Supe visors and their staff for giving the Commission the, opportunity to create an improved community and county for youth and adults.