Item B: Youth/School-Based Services Local Option Levy

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? Neighborhood and Community Special Events such as We Are Bethel Celebration, Whiteaker Neighborhood River Festival, “Out in the Artdoors” Urban Adventure Race, Hershey Track Meets, and Movie Nights in the Park. ? Contracted Services - The Recreation Services Division also provides funding to the following community agencies to extend and diversify services in core youth program areas: Boys & Girls Club, Emerald KIDSPORTS, and Oregon Festival of American Music (now the John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts) and the University of Oregon Youth Enrichment and Talented and Gifted program. Grant Funding In addition to these levy-funded programs, a number of core youth services are funded by limited-term grants. Revenue received from these grants totals approximately $200,000 annually. Grant-funded programs include: ? Project Rising Expectations (PRE) - A partnership with Eugene School District 4J to provide fitness and health activities in seven middle schools during after school hours. This program includes climbing walls, non-traditional sports, nutrition courses, health awareness activities, dance classes, and more. This grant expires in FY07. ? After-School and Community Education (ACE) - A partnership with Eugene School District 4J. ACE is a 21st Century Community Learning Center Project grant for academic enrichment, family educational development and recreation programs at three economically disadvantaged elementary schools in Eugene: Adams, Harris and Meadowlark. The schools were selected because a majority of their students qualify for free/reduced lunch, and an analysis of 4J Reading Diagnostic Tests indicated the schools fall below the district median for oral reading fluency. In addition, the percentage of disadvantaged students who did not meet the standards in English/Language Arts is quite high. The ACE Project funding is intended to close the "achievement gap" at those sites. This grant ends in FY11. ? Bethel and Churchill Teen Courts - Teen Court is a program run by teen peers who are authorized by the Lane County Department of Youth Services to conduct court hearings to recommend consequences for qualifying first-time juvenile offenders. Youths that admit guilt may voluntarily choose this neighborhood option and earn a recommendation for record expunction. Funding for this grant is reviewed annually. ? Afro-Academic Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) – This grant from Lane County Department on Children and Families provides for mentoring and enrichment support in preparation for the local ACT-SO competition. Funding for this grant is reviewed annually. High Priority Services Identified in the PROS Plan In addition to the core services identified above, a number of high priority recreation services and programs were identified as part of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Project and Priority Plan. If additional youth and family services were to be added, some of the following programs identified in that plan would be considered. These programs are estimated to cost an additional $1.1 million annually. Examples of high priority youth and family services identified in the PROS Project and Priority Plan include: ? Increase family programs and special events throughout Eugene. ? Expand community center hours of operation. ? Expand after-school programs in the elementary schools. ? Increase affordable outdoor recreation opportunities for youth and families. ? Provide additional support for inclusion services, including volunteer and staff training. ? Conduct a water safety/lesson program for every third grade student. ? Develop the City’s role in providing job training and work experience for youth. ? Expand youth mentoring program. 2