The Houston Health Department (HHD) requests City Council approval of a resolution supporting the expenditure of City funds to implement the My Brother’s Keeper Houston (MBK) Local Action Plan, an initiative that addresses persistent opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color.
President Obama’s initiative challenged cities, governments, nonprofits, educational agencies and businesses to become MBK communities that implemented policies to address disparities and committed to nurturing and mentoring our youth.
Statistics for the Houston area show disparities, opportunity gaps, and disproportionately negative effects for boys and young men of color in comparison to their peer groups, such as: (1) more than 75% of Houston’s male population aged 10 to 24 years are boys and young men of color; (2) African American and Latino boys are more than twice as likely to be in poverty; (3) Latino boys are more than 3 times more likely to lack health insurance; (4) African American boys are over 7 times more likely to have an encounter with law enforcement and more than 2 times more likely to have an out of school suspension.
In order to address the disparities, MBK focuses on 6 milestones of achievement: (1) entering school ready to learn; (2) reading at grade level by third grade; (3) graduating from high school ready for college and career; (4) completing post-secondary education or training; (5) successfully entering the workforce; and (6) reducing crime and violence and providing a second chance.
HHD sought input from a wide array of community stakeholders, representing over 75 organizations and interests groups to develop an MBK Local Action Plan. HHD serves as the backbone infrastructure support to coordinate resources and programs offered by the Houston Independent School District, community based organizations, and nonprofit groups to ensure the successful implementation of the MBK Houston Local Plan.