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Council approves youth services employment agreements as city integrates program
Summary
The council approved employment agreements for two youth services staff as the city reorganizes and restores the program. Staff and council described efforts to stabilize the program, expand services and increase capacity to serve more children.
The Wayne City Council on April 1 approved employment agreements for two youth services employees — identified at the meeting as Chelsea Crawford and Erin Davis — as the city moves to restore and expand a local youth services program.
City officials said Crawford and Davis stepped in during a period of disruption and worked to restore grant relationships, catch up documentation and keep services running. “They have worked their tails off for the last few months,” the city manager said during the meeting, praising the staff for restoring the program and maintaining service delivery.
Council and staff described plans to grow the program’s capacity, including hiring additional staff funded by existing grants. Staff said the program already has a waiting list and has capacity in contracts to serve more clients; the city manager said grant agreements allow work up to $1,500,000 and expressed a goal of increasing caseloads to use available grant funds.
Chelsea Crawford and Erin Davis addressed the council and described goals for the coming year: expanding partnerships with schools, offering academic support, addressing truancy, growing the program’s staff to reduce waiting lists and offering diversionary services to keep youth out of the criminal justice system. “In a year, we want to grow our business. We wanna be more involved with the schools… We don't have the staff to support the youth right now,” one of the youth services leaders said.
Council members and community partners expressed support. Councilman Quarles praised the staff and asked the community to recognize the work behind the scenes to secure grants and manage programs. Members of the council also encouraged the youth services staff to develop partnerships with local groups including the Wayne Rotary and Hype Western Wayne Recreation Center.
The motion to approve the employment agreements was moved by Brock and seconded by Quarles, and the motion carried.
Staff described remaining capacity constraints: a current waitlist of about 60 children until additional staff can be hired, and reliance on existing grant funding to support hires. The city manager said staff will continue to coordinate with grantors and the city’s administration to bring the program fully into city operations and increase service levels.
The council expressed interest in receiving regular updates on youth services progress and in opportunities for council and community partners to support program expansion.
Votes on the employment agreements were recorded in favor; the motion carried.
