The Houston Health Department (HHD) request City Council approval of an ordinance approving and authorizing an agreement for Change Happens in the amount of $160,000.00 for an effective term from the date of city controller’s countersignature and continuing for nine (9) months thereafter.
HHD seeks to enter into an agreement with Change Happens to implement the My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Community Mentoring program. Change Happens’ Each One of Us Mentoring program replicates evidence-based, in-school mentoring program designed to facilitate relationships for students from low-income communities. Over the project period, 50 boys and young men of color attending Jack Yates High School will participate in the program. Outcomes include 85 percent of program participants will demonstrate: a decrease in attitudes supporting violence; strong emotional connections to mentors; improvement in their overall grade point average; an increase in desire and aspiration to attend college; improved school attendance; increased confidence to apply and complete college applications; and graduate from high school.
The national MBK initiative was launched in 2014 to address persistent opportunity gaps in employment, educational outcomes, career skills and to eliminate barriers preventing youths from realizing their potential. Houston accepted the MBK Community Challenge as part of the local MBK initiative. Change Happens has been actively engaged in supporting Houston’s MBK Community Challenge and the Local Action Plan released in May 2015. It participates in work groups, community engagement, and policy scans.
Under this agreement Change Happens will:
- Manage, implement and monitor the Each One of Us mentoring program,
- Conduct ongoing training with adult mentors to enhance skills in creating opportunities for positive youth outcomes.
- Facilitate and arrange training on evidence-based practices, positive youth development, trauma-informed care, and other topics as deemed warranted
- Engage in planning, piloting, and readiness period, including engaging diverse organizations, developing a shared vision, establishing effective channels for communication, educating the community, and disseminating best practices
MWBE Participation:
Zero-percentage goal document approved by the Office of Business Opportunity.
Pay or Play:
The proposed contract requires compliance with the City’s ‘Pay or Play’ ordinance regarding health benefits for employees of City contractors. In this case, the contractor has elected to pay into the Contractor Responsibility Fund in compliance with City policy.
Fiscal Note:
Funding for this item is included in the FY2021 Adopted Budget. Therefore, no Fiscal note is required.
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Stephen L. Williams, M.Ed., M.P.A.
Director - Houston Health Department
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ESTIMATED SPENDING AUTHORITY
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DEPARTMENT
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FY2021
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OUTYEARS
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TOTAL
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Houston Health Department
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$160,000.00
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$0.00
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$160,000.00
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