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A resolution requesting that the Mayor form a task force represented by youth development leaders within the Metropolitan Government to develop a 10-year vision for closing youth success gaps.
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WHEREAS, youth success depends on positive and supportive relationships, opportunities to explore personal and career interests, social-emotional skills for managing stress and making decisions, guidance in navigating barriers to learning, building important soft skills to thrive in education, career and life, and safe spaces to learn and grow on a positive pathway, and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government has adopted its Child and Youth Master Plan in 2009 and 2010 and has created Nashville After Zone Alliance (“NAZA”) and Power Youth (formerly Opportunity NOW) as two interventions to fund youth opportunities. However, the Master Plan has never been updated or tracked since then; and
WHEREAS, the Office of Youth Safety has been created within the Mayor’s Office to address youth violence issues; and
WHEREAS, while Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (“MNPS”) is committed to improving children’s experiences, students spend only 20 percent of their time in school. Many students need support and experience beyond the classroom. Although standardized test scores are rising, many students need additional help to catch up with grade-level performance; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government recognizes the value that these programs bring to youth development, skill-building, and career exploration and acknowledges that these systems must be sustained and expanded to increase equitable access to young Nashvillians; and
WHEREAS, adverse childhood experiences can have lifelong effects that prevent children from reaching their full potential. Positive experiences can help mitigate those effects; and
WHEREAS, identifying and supporting positive experiences can counter harmful adverse childhood experiences in young people’s lives; and
WHEREAS, earning soft skills, exploring interests and options. and obtaining digital literacy and skills to navigate life are essential to sustain positive life tracks; and
WHEREAS, career exploration support and building skills beyond academics, such as human skills and employability skills, especially in the rise of artificial intelligence, are absolutely necessary for young people to find their life paths; and
WHEREAS, proven approaches include after-school and summer programs, youth employment programs and mentorship programs which research suggests can reduce youth justice involvement by 20 percent and improve school success by 20 percent. Every dollar invested in youth after-school programs saves at least $3 by increasing kids’ earning potential, improving kids’ performance at school, and reducing crime and juvenile delinquency; and
WHEREAS, the MNPS’s Academies of Nashville have proved to be a successful national model for improving graduation rates. Built on a shared vision and community engagement led by the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and the PENCIL Foundation, the initiative expanded industry partnerships and attracted nonprofit support from organizations such as the Ford Foundation; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County recognizes that various Metro initiatives such as NAZA, Office of Youth Safety and Power Youth have high potential to scale and serve more youth due to their strong partnerships with community organizations; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government recognizes the value that these programs bring to youth development, safety, skill-building, and career exploration and acknowledges that these systems must be sustained and expanded to increase equitable access to young Nashvillians; and
WHEREAS, changing administrations and priorities have made support for youth programming inconsistent. Youth initiatives have historically received focus, infrastructure and funding needed to endure across administrations; and
WHEREAS, shifting budget priorities across administrations have limited programs, leaving many young people without positive after-school or summer engagement, and
WHEREAS, placing various youth initiatives under different Metro departments reduces their chance of being prioritized for public and private funding.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That the Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as requesting that the Mayor form a task force represented by key Metropolitan Government leaders relative to youth development, including MNPS, NAZA, Metropolitan Action Commission, the Davidson County Juvenile Court and other community organizations and stakeholders, to develop a 10-year vision for closing youth success gaps by using data-driven goals, financial assessment of the implementation and plans for lasting impact. The vision would rely on existing Metropolitan Government youth development assets and expertise and suggest solutions that build on those assets. The task force would identify partners and funding opportunities to advance the vision. The task force would also include youth representatives from groups such as from MAC, NAZA, and MNPS.
Section 2. That the Metropolitan Government further requests the creation of a governance model that can expand and sustain youth programs in a coordinated manner, investing in youth potential and mobilizing public, private and community involvement and financial support to meaningfully deliver youth interventions with sustainable outcomes.
Section 3. That the Metropolitan Government further requests that the task force present its recommendations to the Mayor and Metropolitan Council by April 1, 2027.
Section 4. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.