Committee continues two DCYF grant amendments for additional review amid data concerns

The committee on Oct. 11 heard presentations from the Department of Children, Youth and Families about two grant amendments and decided to continue both items to the committee’s Oct. 25 meeting for additional review and data work with the Budget and Legislative Analyst.

DCYF’s grants manager said the first amendment incorporates a $3,000,000 Office of Economic and Workforce Development work order into an existing Opportunities for All administrative grant managed by the Japanese Community Youth Council (JCYC). DCYF described the program as supporting paid internships and wraparound supports for youth ages 11 to 24.

The Budget and Legislative Analyst reported that JCYC served about 36% of budgeted participants in fiscal 2021–22 and that BLA recommends lowering the not-to-exceed amount in the resolution to $13.3 million to match projected spending. BLA also flagged that program-quality data and monitoring were limited.

The second amendment would extend the YMCA Urban Services Truancy Assessment and Resource Center (TARC) agreement by one year and add funding to support an additional year of services; BLA said participation data were incomplete and recommended closer oversight. DCYF said it is improving data collection, reassessing youth surveys and planning more robust performance measures for the next RFP cycle.

Multiple supervisors pressed for better, lock-step data-sharing between departments and for BLA to work with DCYF on measurable indicators before the grants proceed. Chair Chan made a motion to continue both items to Oct. 25; the motion passed (2 ayes).