title
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.
body
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, explori...
Click here for full text