Receive an update on the Yolo County Youth Commission and approve three Yolo County Youth Commissioner YEA! Grant Program Awards of $53,333 each to the Speed of Trust, Social Environmental Entrepreneurs, and Three Sisters Gardens Youth Leadership Development Program (No general fund impact) (Pinedo/Bryan) (Est. Time: 10 min.)

On May 10, 2022, the Board of Supervisors approved the establishment of the Yolo Youth Commission as a 2-year pilot program (Resolution No. 22-59).  With the creation of the Yolo Youth Commission, the Board also approved a Grant Funding Agreement awarding the Yolo County Office of Education $400,000 from County-generated cannabis tax revenues to administer the Youth Commission (Agreement No. 22-78).  The Board subsequently appointed 15 Youth Commissioners on November 22, 2022.  

One of the responsibilities of the Yolo Youth Commission is evaluating grant proposals for youth-led efforts and organizations in Yolo County and developing a grant funding plan for presentation to the Board of Supervisors for approval, with $160,000 budgeted per year for grant awards in Year 1 and Year 2. Since its formation, under the direction of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors and the Yolo County Office of Education, the Youth Commission initiated a request for proposals (RFP) to fund youth initiatives and program development with grants offering a total of $160,000. The Commission designed and facilitated an RFP process that featured robust community engagement. Three areas of need among Yolo County Youth were identified: Job Readiness and Life Skills, Civic Engagement, and Recreational Events that Build Community. All proposed programs and services were to adhere to these three areas of need. Additionally, RFP respondents were informed all services were to be conducted within Yolo County and accessible by youth residing in any of the communities of which the County is comprised.

The RFP attracted 19 applicants and associate programs from throughout the County and from organizations across the country. Three programs were selected as meeting all RFP criteria and values of the Youth Commission. The table below displays the chosen programs and proposed funding amounts. The proposals from the awarded organizations are attached (Attachments A, B, and C).
 

Youth Commission (YC) YEA! Grant Proposed Project Name	Organization Name	Proposed Funding	YC Funding Decision
The Speed of Trust	All Leaders Must Serve	$40,000	$53,333
Brown Issues	Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs	$40,000	$53,333
Three Sisters Gardens Youth Leadership Development Program	Three Sisters Garden	$40,000	$53,333
Total		$120,000	$150,999

An agreement will be developed with each organization receiving grant funds detailing how the Yolo Youth Commission and the Yolo County Office of Education will provide support, oversight, advocacy, and progress reporting. Development of this agreement will precede program funding, which will occur via MOU with the Yolo County Office of Education upon the Board of Supervisors’ ratification of the Youth Commission’s selections.

Pursuant to the resolution establishing the Yolo Youth Commission, the Commission's grant funding plan is deemed accepted by the Board unless the Board rejects the Commission's plan by a four-fifths vote.  In the event of such a vote, the grant funding plan would return to the Youth Commission for further consideration prior to re-presentation to the Board. 

Yolo County Office of Education
County Counsel