Public Hearing: YES ☒ NO ☐ Department: Human Services
SUBJECT:
Title
Commission District(s): Districts 5 & 7
Approval of $12,000 for the Human Services Department to Support the Implementation of a Virtual Entrepreneurial Training Program for DeKalb Youth- At A Cost of $12,000 to the County
Body
Information Contact: Damon Scott, Director, Human Services Department
Phone Number: (404) 687-2385
PURPOSE:
To consider approval of funding in the amount of $12,000 for the Human Services Department to provide support in the implementation of a youth entrepreneurial training program for DeKalb youth selling bottled water. The program will be implemented for six weeks (from October 2020-December 2020).
NEED/IMPACT:
There is a current trend for youth interested in making money to sell bottled water. These young people can be found outside of sporting events, entertainment venues and at busy intersections. Over the course of the last four months, there has been an increase of violent incidents associated with youth selling water at busy intersections around the Atlanta Metro Area. Incidents include: a teen death, turf wars between the youth, incidents of near accidents in which youth were almost hit by cars and multiple reports from citizens who feel harassed by youth.
According to the United Way of Greater Atlanta’s Child Well-Being Index, 52%, of DeKalb’s 108,694 youth are living in low or very low economic conditions. Purchasing cases of water and then reselling them for dollar a bottle is an easy way for a young person to make money. It is widely believed that the main reason youth are selling water is their need to provide additional money to help their families. The development of an entrepreneurial training program will provide these youth with knowledge to enhance their skills to build safer micro-businesses.
The training program will be developed by DeKalb Work Source and the Human Services Department will provide support to implement the program along with the DeKalb Office of Public Safety. Funds provided to the Human Services Department will be used for implementation of program support on the virtual platform, purchasing of supplies, and assistance with weekend programming/outreach.
FISCAL IMPACT:
TBD
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
Appropriate funds in the amount of $12,000 to the Human Services Department, transfer the funds to the Department and Authorize the Chief Executive Officer to execute all necessary documents