Youth

$10.4 Million in ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF)

Kids looking at a book

On February 3, 2022, the City Council allocated $10 million for Youth. The City Council designated the Economic & Workforce Development Committee (EWDC) to oversee the implementation planning for this category. EWDC approved the implementation plan and associated criteria for distribution on June 24, 2022. The City Council approved the plan on August 18, 2022.

Through a combined competitive process, the plan provides support to youth serving organizations for services that support:

  • Enhanced education
  • Workforce pathways

On February 8, 2023, the City Council was provided an update on the COVID-19 Recovery & Resiliency Plan and the ARPA SLFRF Program, including available balances from the competitive process, program savings, and interest earned.

The City Council directed the available balances from Youth and Seniors to be further discussed at a Governance Committee meeting. On February 15, 2023, the Governance Committee recommended a total of $1.5 million for Youth and Seniors to be taken to the Community Health, Environment & Culture Committee (CHECC) for policy direction. Of this amount, $313 thousand was unallocated from the competitive process, and $1.2 million was added to the Youth and Seniors categories from ARPA SLFRF available funds from interest income and program balances. The CHECC discussed the priorities and plan for these funds on February 21, 2023.

On March 9, 2023, the City Council approved the priorities and plan, with a competitive process (RFP) for Non-Profit Social Services, Youth, and Seniors totaling $1.67 million to be open from March 13 through April 27, 2023. Of the total RFP amount, $674 thousand is allocated for youth services.

Spending Framework

The spending plan provides programming support to non-profits to:

  • Serve youth to address decreased education and career opportunities
  • Provide higher education and workforce training
  • Enhance access to STEM & STEAM
  • Provide enrichment to support school readiness and long-term success

View Implementation Plan(PDF, 118KB)

Youth Services (Programming Support)

COVID-19 Impact Programs / Strategies Equitable Outcomes Amount
Decrease in youth involvement Set aside $100,000 for the San Antonio Youth Commission to evaluate and develop funding recommendations to address youth needs. Amplify youth voice through participation in civic process and ensure programs meet the needs of impacted youth $100,000
Decreased education & career opportunities for youth transitioning out or at risk of gang involvement
  • Support mentorship and internship programs coupled with specialized case management support
  • Fund second chance employment programs
  • Fund coaching and mentoring supports for youth entering skills training or the workforce for the first time
  • Increase diverse education pathways for disengaged youth
 Develop targeted prevention programs that offer positive pathways for education & employment opportunities $750,000
Decreased higher education and workforce training for youth aging out of foster care
  • Create access to individualized education and workforce counseling and planning
  • Expand support and wrap around services for youth working towards education and workforce goals
  • Provide paid internship and apprenticeship opportunities
 Improve access to basic services, program participation, and college enrollment $2 Million
Increased opportunity & homeless youth
  • Expand existing programs that focus on education and workforce readiness
  • Provide supports to address education and workforce barriers
  • Provide incentives for participation and retention
  • Provide paid internship and apprenticeship opportunities
 Opportunity youth connected to education and employment opportunities, family support, and housing stability $2.65 Million
Decreased access to STEM, STEAM, and enrichment to support school readiness and long-term success
  • Increase access to low or no cost After School and Summer Programs
  • Provide transportation supports to programs
 Expand high quality out-of-school opportunities and decrease student to staff ratios $4.5 Million
Total $10 Million

Additional & Reallocated Funding

The table below provides an overview of the $674 thousand approved by the City Council on March 9, 2023. Of this, $434 thousand in available funds from ARPA SLFRF interest income and program balances were added to this category for a total investment of $10.4 million.

COVID-19 Impact Programs / Strategies Equitable Outcomes Amount

Increased opportunity & homeless youth
  • Expand existing programs that focus on education and workforce readiness
  • Provide supports to address education and workforce barriers
  • Provide incentives for participation and retention
  • Provide paid internship and apprenticeship opportunities

Opportunity youth connected to education and employment opportunities, family support, and housing stability

$674,916

NOTE: $240,836 in unallocated balances from the first RFP.

Request for Proposals (RFPs)

RFP #1 Timeline

  • Sept. 6 and 8, 2022: Training and technical assistance workshops.
  • Sept. 9, 2022: Release of RFP for youth services providers.
  • Sept. 16, 2022: RFP pre-submittal conference.
  • Sept. 18 and 19, 2022: Additional training and technical assistance workshops.
  • Oct. 28, 2022: RFP closes.
  • Nov. - Dec. 2022: RFP evaluation and scoring of responses.
  • Jan. 26, 2023: Post solicitation briefing to City Council.
  • Feb. 2, 2023: City Council approval.
  • March 2023: Contracts are anticipated to begin.

RFP #2 Timeline

  • March 13, 2023: RFP opens.
  • March 23, 2023: RFP pre-submittal conference.
  • March 28, 2023: Training and technical sessions.
  • April 27, 2023: RFP closes.
  • May 5 - May 10, 2023: RFP evaluation and scoring.
  • June 1, 2023: Post-solicitation approval by City Council.
  • July 2023: Contracts are anticipated to begin.

Economic & Workforce Development Committee

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Past Presentations

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