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Board slated to renew Choose to Change contract as officials cite studies showing reduced misconduct and arrests
Summary
CPS staff recommended a one‑year renewal of the Choose to Change contract with Youth Advocate Programs, citing external research that linked program participation to declines in school misconduct and violent‑crime arrests. The district seeks authority to accept philanthropic and city funding to keep the initiative operating at current scale.
Chicago Public Schools staff asked the board on June 11 to authorize a one‑year renewal of the contract with Youth Advocate Programs (YAP) for the Choose to Change (C2C) violence‑prevention program and requested spending authority that would allow the district to accept philanthropic and city funds to sustain program capacity.
Tony (last name given in presentation) of the Office of School Safety and Security described C2C as a high‑touch mentorship and trauma‑informed therapy program that serves students identified as high‑risk and provides about seven and a half hours of weekly direct support plus family‑centered wraparound services.
Officials cited peer‑reviewed and external evaluations when discussing outcomes. They said University of Chicago Scribe and Education Lab research found a 33% decrease in school misconduct within six months of participation and a 48% decrease in violent‑crime arrests during program participation; a 2025 Scribe dataset was shared showing “nearly 40% reduction in violent arrest among participants four years post completion,” language used by the presenter.
District staff said the program historically has been supported by a blend of public and private dollars. The board report shows a FY26 CPS contribution of $4.5 million; presenters requested a not‑to‑exceed authority of $10.1 million to allow the district to accept additional philanthropic and intergovernmental contributions if they are secured. Presenters said the mayor’s office has historically contributed roughly $1,145,000 annually and philanthropic partners are in active planning conversations.
Officials also described a management transition: as of May 2025 Choose to Change will move from School Safety and Security into the Office of College and Career Success to align the work with other tier‑3 student supports.
Board members asked for details about school sites, referral and enrollment processes and historic annual participation. Presenters said referrals are coordinated between school behavioral health teams and community‑based organizations; services are primarily in person, and about 1,200 students were served in the most recent year. Staff offered to provide a year‑by‑year breakdown and a list of schools served on request.
The item was presented for board approval at the regular board meeting; staff requested renewal authority so program services would continue into FY26 if funding is secured.
