At the December 1998 Council Study Issues Workshop, Council approved a broad, comprehensive study of Sunnyvale youth services: their needs, the services currently available to them, the potential resources and partnerships which may help in better meeting their needs, and the proper role of the City in providing youth services. Needs range from child care to health services, homework assistance to employment services, but are not limited to these. The study would assess the real and/or perceived needs of youth from early childhood through high school, as well as examine how other local service organizations are providing for youth and the feasibility of expanded partnerships. Additionally, an exploration of a public forum to raise community awareness regarding violence in entertainment and its potential impact on youth will be reviewed.

Staff recommends that Council approve the workplan as proposed for this study.

This issue came out of the March 1998 Council Study Session on the Teen Services Study. Councilmembers felt that the City should look beyond just teens and beyond leisure services. There is concern in many parts of the community that more attention needs to be given to youth services. Specific concerns about violence in entertainment and their impact on youth were raised by Councilmember Kawczynski. The issue being whether or not and how the City might convene a public forum with participation from a cross section of the community. The forum will discuss the potential impact of popular entertainment on the well being of youth and community.

The subject of this study is broad and multi-faceted as the needs of youth, from birth through high school, are many and they also change with age and development, and are dependent on a variety of other factors. Although youth are the focus of the study, the needs and resources for parents (or those who take this role) should also be considered in all aspects of this study.

Staff will prepare a Request for Proposals to find an appropriate consultant to assign with this study. The consultant should be familiar with a variety of existing models that look at the needs of youth and identifying the qualities and indicators of youth well-being, considering the needs at each stage of development. There are several recent studies (e.g. Healthy Communities-Healthy Youth, 40 Developmental Assets, Forum on Child and Family Statistics) that also look at the impact of youth needs as it relates to economics, health, crime, education, etc. as well as the needs of parents that should be considered.

Once a consultant is retained, an assessment tool will be developed to gather current and local data of the needs of youth and where they are currently seeking and receiving services. Real and perceived barriers to accessing these services will also be examined. Focus groups conducted by bilingual facilitators, written and telephone surveys, web surveys and other methods of data collection will be used.

Taking an asset-based approach, the study will then focus on the resources our community already has and will create an inventory of youth services resources. It will look at how and where the needs of youth are being addressed through local schools, business, service agencies and organizations. Service providers from across the community (child care, health care, counselors, youth program coordinators, teachers, social services, public safety, employment services, etc.) will be invited to share information about their youth services and their sense of the needs of youth. This portion of the study will also look at their ability to meet needs and the feasibility of expanded partnerships. Additionally, the consequences of unmet needs will be considered. Youth entertainment, particularly any that include violence, will also be addressed including the consideration of a public forum to discuss the potential impact and possible outcome of such a forum.

Finally, the City's role and ability to help meet these needs will be examined. While resources, jurisdiction and other limitations of local government exist, the City may be able to work with others to find ways to better meet the needs of youth as well as their parents. It may also find ways to modify current programs to reach more youth or to service them in different ways.

Boards and Commissions whose purview include youth will have an opportunity to review preliminary findings as will City Council in a study session.

The recommended workplan is as follows:

Council approved a budget modification of $25,000 in December 1998 to cover costs of a consultant.

Publication of the agenda.

Staff recommends alternative #1.

Prepared by:

Sophie C. Horiuchi
Administrative Assistant

Reviewed by:

Amy Chan
Assistant City Manager

Approved by:

Robert S. LaSala
City Manager