To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: Contract #18-504-0 (WDB) Independent Arts & Media for Measure X Youth Centers Initiative
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Employment and Human Services Director, or designee, to execute a contract with Independent Arts & Media in an amount not to exceed $869,732 to provide youth arts/music/cultural programming under the Measure X Youth Centers Initiative for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT:
100% County funded by Measure X of which 50% is budgeted in FY 2025/26 and 50% will be budgeted in FY 2026/27.
BACKGROUND:
In January 2025, the Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) issued Request for Proposals (RFP) #1215: Deliver Measure X-Funded Youth Center Services for Youth Ages 12-18 to identify and fund organizations that will deliver such services in Supervisorial Districts 3, 4, and 5 through Measure X Youth Center funding. The RFP will award approximately $3.2 million annually—across one or more service providers—for the service types and districts outlined in the Implementation Plan approved by the Board of Supervisors in August 2024.
To meet this need, Independent Arts & Media will implement its Youth Arts Connection Program for up to 200 youths annually in Districts 3 and 5. The program includes weekly spoken word, poetry, storytelling, and music workshops led by trained facilitators and artists. Youth participants will build skills in communication, self-expression, problem-solving, reading, and writing. Group projects address a variety of topics, including personal development and mental health awareness. The program integrates restorative listening practices and personal growth opportunities. All services will be offered during out-of-school hours, including evenings, weekends, and extended summer sessions. Outreach will focus on underserved populations through partnerships with schools, local cultural organizations, and community service providers. The vendor was selected per procurement requirements outlined in Administrative bulletin 600.3.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Should the proposed action not be approved by the Board of Supervisors, the County will not be able to fulfill its obligations under Measure X.
CHILDREN’S IMPACT STATEMENT:
This Contract supports all five of the community outcomes established in the Children's Report Card: (1) "Children Ready for and Succeeding in School"; (2) "Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood"; (3) "Families that are Economically Self-Sufficient"; (4) "Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing"; and (5) "Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families,”.