Agmt 2005 Davis Street Family Resource Center DSFRC

Home

EXHIBIT A SCOPE OF SERVICES Youth Anti-Violence and Family Safe Affordable Housing Program Proiect Description and Background The Davis Street Family Resource Center (DSFRC) will implement and evaluate comprehensive anti-violence services for at-risk youth and assist the Ciry of San Leandro to achieve their affordable housing goals for low-income families. There are approximately 12,000 youth between the ages of 8 and 18 in San Leandro. San Leandro Unified School District has one high school with approximately 2,700 students, one continuation school with approximately 90 students, an independent school and two middle schools each serving approximately 1,000 students. The ethnic, linguistic and socio-economic make-up of our youth has dramatically changed over the last decade bringing challenges to the youth, their families and the communities that serve them. School district funding cutbacks have affected the availability and quality of prevention/intervention services. There is clearly an unmet anti-violence program demand and the need is increasing. The services must shift from an individualistic model to a holistic one. Services must address stressors youth and their families experience such as limited access to: employment services, affordable, quality childcare, basic needs of food and clothing, mental health, medical care and affordable housing. Lack of affordable housing is a clear antecedent to youth violence. In 1996, the City of Boston recognized the need to include Housing and Urban Development in their initiative to prevent youth violence. The City created a partnership with Community based organizations to reduce crime and improve public housing titled "Operation Safe Home" on the premise that men, women, and children in public housing are exposed to high levels of crime. 1 Minnesota Department of Health acknowledges the facts found in Operation Safe Home and is ~romoting a "safe and supportive home environment" as one of their prevention strategies. Alameda County's Blueprint to Violence Prevention Program outlines the need to promote positive child and youth development, ensure supported and functioning families, and foster safe and vibrant neighborhoods. 3 The need for increased safe and affordable housing is evidenced by the change in demographics. While San Leandro's median income is $51,000, Davis Street has seen an increase in services accessed by low-income families including multigenerational families living in single-family homes. Davis Street serves over 10, 000 people each year, most of which are in need of services such as affordable housing and anti-violence prevention for their at-risk youth. The link between the lack of safe and affordable housing and the cycle of violence is undeniable. Our services link at risk youth and their families to an array of support services including access ' Youth Violence: Acommunity-based response one city's success story, September 1996 ' Minnesota Department of Health. Best Practices to Prevent Youth Violence, 2003 ' A Lifetime Commitment to Violence Prevention: Alameda County's Blueprint, 2004 (working draft) Consulting Services Agreement between June 15, 2005 City of San Leandro and Davis Street Family Resource Center Page 15 of 18