Title
Parks and Recreation Department After-School Programs and Youth Sports (Ordinance S-47822)
Description
Request authorization for the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into grant agreements with nonprofit organizations and schools throughout Phoenix. Further authorize the City Treasurer to accept, and the City Controller to disburse, the funds for purposes of this ordinance. The total value of the agreements will not exceed $3,000,000. There is no impact to the General Fund. Funding is available through the City's allocation of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) from the federal government and is under the City's Phoenix Youth Sports, Recreation, Education and After-School category of the strategic plan.
Report
Summary
The Parks and Recreation Department experienced record numbers in park usage throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. While the department successfully transitioned to offering many programs virtually, in-person after-school and youth sports programs were temporarily suspended since March 2020. The department has developed a plan to help provide safe, affordable and inclusive recreation opportunities for youth, during the critical after-school hours and is proposing to use funds to support these efforts in vulnerable communities throughout the City.
After-School Program Grants
Grants will provide funding to Phoenix schools to allow them to implement free or affordable after-school programs, which would enable children to have a fun, educational and inclusive place to be after school. The program will be administered through an application process.
Youth Sports Grants
Grants will provide funding to Phoenix non-profit organizations to provide free youth sports opportunities during after-school hours. Sports are a great way to engage youth during the critical after-school hours. Many youth throughout the City are not able to participate in these activities due to financial barriers. The program will be administered through an application process.
Financial Impact
Funding for these programs will not exceed $3,000,000. There is no impact to the General Fund. Funding is available through the City's allocation of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) from the federal government and is under the City's Phoenix Youth Sports, Recreation, Education and After-School category of the strategic plan. The funding breakdown is as follows:
After-School Grant for Phoenix Schools: $2.5 million
Youth Sports League Grant for Phoenix Non-profits: $500,000
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
City Council approved the revised American Rescue Plan Proposed Strategic Plan at the June 8, 2021 Policy meeting by a vote of 7-2.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Inger Erickson and the Parks and Recreation Department.