City proposes Project Works pilot in after‑school programs, pending SAISD approvals

Melody Woosley, Human Services, briefed the committee on an interpersonal violence subcommittee proposal to pilot a youth education program aimed at improving youth mental wellness, resilience and decision‑making.

The pilot would integrate the 7 Mindsets curriculum (Project Works) into city‑funded after‑school challenge sites and prioritize middle‑school students in zip codes with high youth crime rates. "We would also include pre and post program surveys with participants to help measure the impact of the program," Woosley said. Staff reported preliminary conversations with San Antonio ISD leadership; the district requires submission of surveys, curriculum and materials to its research review committee and school health advisory committee for approval.

Council members expressed support for the pilot while asking staff to share both the pre‑ and post‑pilot survey instruments with the full committee and to involve the youth commission in reviewing materials. Staff said they would follow up with those materials and coordinate further approvals before any in‑school activity began.

If approved by SAISD and other required review bodies, the pilot could begin in spring (timeline contingent on district approvals), with the committee receiving follow‑up reports on implementation and survey results.