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Community speakers urge council to keep Youth Development Department independent
Summary
Dozens of public commenters opposed a proposed consolidation of the Department of Youth Development, arguing cuts would harm prevention and services for young people and urging the council to maintain the department as a separate entity.
Community members, youth advocates and parents told the Los Angeles City Council on May 21 that the proposed budget's consolidation of the Department of Youth Development threatens services for residents ages roughly 10 to 26 and urged restoration of funding.
Multiple speakers described the department as a targeted prevention and youth-development agency and said merging it into another department would reduce specialized services. Clareder García, a lifelong resident who identified herself as from Council District 14, said the department receives a small portion of the city's budget for youth programming and that cuts would undercut investments meant to keep young people engaged. "Our youth need sustainable investment," she said during public comment.
Other speakers recounted direct experience with programs run by the department and warned that consolidation could increase legal and operational costs while reducing direct support. A number of commenters stressed that the department was established recently and that dismantling it now would reverse commitments made to young people across multiple districts.
Speakers did not record a formal council vote during public comment. The testimony was offered to the budget committee and council members as they consider changes to the mayor’s proposed fiscal plan.
Ending: Advocates urged the council to preserve the Department of Youth Development as a standalone entity and to prioritize youth programming in the final budget.
