Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Youth Commission Priorities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Youth Commission lays out policy priorities: Vote16 preregistration, TAY housing and alternatives to incarceration
Summary
San Francisco's Youth Commission presented a 12-point budget and policy agenda to the Board's Budget & Finance Committee, urging Vote16 preregistration efforts, youth representation in CBAs, completion of transitional-age-youth housing goals, a focus on homeless youth and alternatives to building a new jail.
The San Francisco Youth Commission presented its FY2016'17 and FY2017'18 budget priorities to the Board of Supervisors' Budget & Finance Committee on May 25, urging the City to invest in youth voter engagement, transitional-aged-youth housing and alternatives to incarceration.
Jillian Wu, vice chair of the Youth Commission, opened the presentation by urging investment in "education and engagement of youth voters," and highlighted Vote16 preregistration and outreach activities that would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to preregister and participate in civic education. "We hope that Vote16 passes this November," Wu said, "even if it does not, we hope the Board of Supervisors will continue encouraging voter participation, especially in 16 and 17 year olds." The commission also asked the Board to continue partnering with the school district to expand voter education.
Commissioners emphasized workforce development and youth representation in community-benefit agreements and districts, with particular focus on leveraging technology-industry partnerships to expand job training. Cecilia Galliano and other commissioners urged completion of the Transitional-Aged-Youth (TAY) housing plan, noting the original 2015 goal of creating 400 units remains incomplete and about 130 units still need identification. The Youth Commission asked the Board to prioritize alternatives to building a new rehabilitation/detention facility and to expand reentry, mental-health and family visit supports for children of incarcerated parents.
Giovanna So and other commissioners recommended declaring 2017 the "Year of Recognizing Homeless Youth," dedicating staff from the newly formed Department of Homelessness to youth outreach, refining the youth homeless count methodology, and funding a TAY navigation center. The commission also asked the Mayor and Board to revisit implementation and funding for administrative code policy 12N, to sustain Free Muni for youth, and to continue support for City College of San Francisco.
In public comment, a youth representative from Larkin Street and a Transitional-Age-Youth resident who attends San Francisco State University urged more TAY housing and services. Jessica Rodriguez Williams said she relied on TAY housing to attend college and urged the Board to prioritize housing for transitional-age youth so students are not pushed onto the street.
Committee members thanked the commission for the detailed priorities and indicated they would review supporting materials during the budget season.
