JMRPWG agenda 042899 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Suggested addition to Section III, B with same heading as " Schools and Land Use Councils Recreation Committee for At-Risk Youth The Carrboro Board of Aldermen, Chapel Hill Town Council, and Orange County Board of County Commissioners all recognized a need to collaborate on issues concerning at- risk youths . From this recognition, all three governing bodies passed a resolution to this effect and appointed representatives to serve on a Recreation Committee for At-Risk Youth . The primary goals of the committee were : 1 ) identifying existing services ; 2 ) avoiding duplication of services ; and 3 ) determining if more programs were needed. Meetings were held with mentoring group representatives and individuals serving at-risk youth to discuss the nature of their efforts and to receive their recommendations on how the corresponding recreation and park departments could best serve at-risk youth . The committee met from October 1998 to January 1999 . These meetings brought forth identified issues , findings and recommendations for elected officials to include in their budget and policy deliberations . Ten key issues were identified . Many of the issues require action or policy changes by elected officials in order to implement the recommendations . The key identified issues are the following : 1 ) lack of facilities 2) transportation to facilities and programs 3 ) shortage of mentors 4) marketing methods to reach at-risk youth 5 ) staff shortages 6)life skills training 7 ) increase youth job opportunities 8) multicultural at-risk needs (with particular emphasis on Hispanic youth) 9) fewer programs for adolescent females 10) interagency cooperation. A report was finalized and presented to the respected governing bodies . The report is attached for reference . The governing bodies then asked that representatives meet on certain issues . During March 1999 , elected officials met with the Chapel Hill — Carrboro City School Board members and staff to address several issues , especially the community access to all system-wide school facilities . These meetings have culminated in a reaffirmation by the City School Board to insure that all facilities are open and to improving operating arrangements and agreements when used by community groups , especially the public entities . On- going efforts such as these, coupled with the Schools and Land Use Councils work, hold promise for full utilization of the largest public system of buildings and land in the County (outside of the UNC system) .