Committee Report - Youth - 3-7-18 — File 205300

Youth Services Committee Page 1 of 3 Printed 3/10/2018 March 7, 2018 REPORT OF THE YOUTH SERVICES COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Stephanie Hirsch Chair Present Jesse Clingan Vice Chair Present Katjana Ballantyne Ward Seven Alderman Present Others present: Doug Kress - HHS, Jill Lathan - Recreation, Linda Ingersol - Recreation Commission, Natalie Viera - Recreation Commission, Richard Liberatore - Recreation Commission, Tim Snyder - Mayor’s Office, Charles Sillari - Clerk of Committees. The meeting took place in the Committee Room and was called to order at 6:04 PM by Chairman Hirsch and adjourned at 7:17 PM. Approval of the May 10, 2017 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 198075: That the Director of the Office of Prevention update this Board's Youth Services Committee of the department's plan to address youth health matters of concern. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198227: That the Administration provide this Board, in early 2015, with an update regarding the city's efforts to combat drug addiction. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198586: That the Director of SPCD update this Board on renovating and taking control of Foss Park. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198742: That the Director of Recreation update this Board’s Committee on Youth Services on the 100 day plan.

Youth Services Committee Page 2 of 3 Printed 3/10/2018 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198955: That the Administration of Teen Empowerment update this Board of its recent accomplishments and plans for the remainder of the calendar year. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201166: That the Director of Health and Human Services share the report on community conversations regarding race and racism with this Board's Committee on Youth Services when it becomes available. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202113: That the Director of Health and Human Services appear before this Board to discuss progress in the city's race dialogs. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202316: That the Administration resolve the outstanding issues with Teen Empowerment's contract. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202416: That the Superintendent of Recreation update this Board on the number of youth served, by program and gender, since Spring 2016. The director of recreation had submitted the data requested previously. Female participation has increased as a result of outreach. There are some cultures that dissuade female children from participating in recreation programs. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202555: Director of Parks and Recreation responding to #202416 re: the numbers of youth served since Spring, 2016. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 204870: That the Administration report to this Board, by the next Youth Services Committee meeting, on ways to expand open swimming hours at the Kennedy School pool, such as Sundays, Friday/Saturday evenings, school holidays and half-day Wednesdays. The committee discussed the need for additional staff to extend the hours. Internal and external partnerships are a possibility and will be explored. Ways to encourage more people to use the pools as well as ways to allow children to use the pool without the accompany of an adult. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE

Youth Services Committee Page 3 of 3 Printed 3/10/2018 204871: That the Administration report to this Board, by the next Youth Services Committee meeting, on ways to keep the Kennedy School playground open for public use during non-school day daytime hours. Mr. Snyder stated that signage about liability will be posted and this issue can be resolved. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 204873: That the Administration, with the School Department, provide data by student income, school and grade, on children being served after school at school-based and non- profit providers, to identify gaps in service and better coordinate and expand such programming. The committee reviewed data on the income levels of students and how those students utilize services. Mr. Kress discussed various programs that could fill some gaps where needed and pointed out that federal funding has an impact on the services. The chair feels that low income kids are not being served enough and middle school kids aren’t being served at all. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 204996: That this Board's Committee on Youth Services organize one or more workshops to ask tweens and young teens about how the city can make sure our community is a great place for them to live. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 205096: That the Director of Recreation appear before this Board’s Committee on Youth Services to provide information on the membership and function of the Recreation Commission. The committee discussed the role of the commission and how the commission is structured. Communication between the rec department and the school department was discussed. The committee discussed ways in which the rec department supports non-profits. Constituent communication regarding events and programs can be improved according to some people. Members of the commission discussed their experiences with the community. The committee discussed the recent need for support by the city of youth sports leagues. The need for a safe gathering place for children is needed and the city is working on a building for the recreation department. Ald. Ballantyne will work with the School Committee to explore ways to improve communications between the school department and the recreation department. The scheduling of gyms is currently under the DPW and that will be looked into further as there may be a more appropriate way to manage it. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED Handout: • Graphs (with 204873)