ORD-2015-003 Budget Ordinance Amendment #6-A for the Family Success Alliance (FSA)

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3 • United Way of the Greater Triangle • Zone Representatives About the Zones Zone 4 Zone 4 is located between 1-40 and 1-85 in central Orange County, and includes A.L. Stanback Middle and New Hope Elementary. Zone partners who worked together to communicate the concerns and hopes of their community include school representatives, community organizations, and faith leaders. Zone 4 data shows that approximately 1 in 4 kids under 18 are living in poverty in Zone 4, and 55% of kids at Zone 5 schools receive free or reduced lunch. These are two of the highest numbers for these data points from all six zones. Additionally, test scores for Zone 4 schools show that 53% of 3rd graders are not proficient in reading and 63% of 8th graders are not proficient in math. In the application, Zone partners described hearing concerns from parents about their children's emotional, physical and social well-being, their safety, and their academic achievement. Parents, both Spanish-speaking and English- speaking, identified the schools as safe, nurturing and positive places for their children and a source of support and connection for the entire family. Zone 4 is fortunate to have many community partners as well as school staff and parents who are working to build and strengthen the five parts of the pipeline. Families and local organizations, many of whom have felt unheard and unimportant in the past, have expressed excitement and anticipation in the work that has already begun and in future possibilities as part of the Family Success Alliance. Zone 6 Zone 6 is a densely populated zone that encompasses from downtown Chapel Hill southwest to Highway 54. Members of Zone 6 passionately expressed in their application that the history of the neighborhoods in this area gives the community a sense of identity. Zone partners who spearheaded the application include representatives from neighborhood organizations, community groups, and municipal services and service providers. Due to its size and density, Zone 6 has the highest estimate of kids under 18 living in poverty — an estimated 878 kids. Further, local data shows that approximately 30% of children at Zone 6 schools receive free or reduced lunch. The Zone 6 application highlighted early childhood development as the weakest part of their pipeline from cradle to career/college, as they feel the Zone has lost early education resources due to funding changes. Zone partners look forward to promoting the rich cultural history and diversity of their community to create a sense of unity to collaborate on projects that better the community. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The cost of the Practitioner's Institute is $10,000. This will allow a group of 12 FSA members (including representatives from each of the zones) to travel to participate. The Health Department will work to heavily subsidize the remaining travel/accommodations of those who attend. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve Budget Amendment #6-A transferring $10,000 from the Social Justice Fund to the Health Department to pay for Family Success Alliance attendance at the Harlem Children's Zone Practitioners Institute.