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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSS 2021-09-20 Item 2B - Update - Community Connectors ProgramCity of Tukwila Allan Ekberg, Mayor INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM TO: Community Service & Safety FROM: Niesha Fort -Brooks, Community Engagement Manger CC: Mayor Ekberg Date: September 9, 2021 Subject: Community Connectors Program Update ISSUE Staff is updating the Community Service & Safety Committee on the City of Tukwila's Community Connectors Program. BACKGROUND The Community Connectors program was created to improve outreach and engagement with communities historically underrepresented in the civic process, and improve inclusion in decisions that impact these communities. The City partnered with community members of all ages and backgrounds to act as liaisons and facilitate communication between the City and the community. The City contracted with nonprofits to administer the program. In 2019 it became clear that the program was becoming ineffective and transactional. Neither the needs of the communities the City was seeking to serve, nor the City were being met with the way the program was running. As a part of the budget reductions associated with the Pandemic, and because the program was not then being successful, funding for the program was eliminated for 2021 and 2022. DISCUSSION However, staff has taken this opportunity to work with the community to revamp the Connectors program. This year, staff recruited a diverse group of community members to participate in a new Community Connectors Advisory Committee (CCAC) to discuss and co -create a new Community Connectors Program. Staff reached out to various residents and community leaders that work with Tukwila's diverse residents who have a deep understanding of community needs, lived experiences and all of whom lead with a racial equity lens. The CCAC is comprised of the following: • Diane Melgoza, former Community Connector and Community Health Worker from Global to Local • Hien Kieu, Executive Director - Partner In Employment • Angela Taherazer, Day 1 Coordinator/Career Coach One Program Coordinator - Refugee Women's Alliance • Lina Sinton -Ali, Connection Desk Supervisor, Tukwila Health Point • Margerat Bratcher, former Community Connector and Planning Commissioner • Khang Nguyen, former City of Tukwila's High School Summer Intern 2 INFORMATIONAL MEMO Page 2 Staff convened the CCAC in early April and has met monthly to deliberate on the new version of the proposed program. The CCAC has determined that a civic academy process, which takes participants through various levels, functions and entry points of government is the best way to transform the Community Connectors program. The goal is to create more knowledge of how government works, how individuals can get involved and what opportunities are available in government for Tukwila's diverse communities. As this would be an annual program, it would allow new residents to engage on a regular basis with an annual cohort to increase civic capacity throughout the community. To date, the CCAC has covered the proposed application, curriculum and evaluation processes. Below is the proposed curriculum by month, which comes directly from the CCAC and what these representatives have heard from Tukwila's diverse community would be the most impactful: Staff and the CCAC propose to host community informational meetings monthly from January through March to recruit potential Connectors. CCAC members have agreed to help the City recruit potential Connectors, as well as vet the applications. Staff and the CCAC expect to have between 8 to 10 Connectors participate on an annual basis. The CCAC recommends that the program continue to provide childcare, interpretation and translation upon request, including culturally appropriate food and compensation through gift cards. The Community Connectors Advisory Committee (CCAC) agrees that a civic engagement academy is needed more to better serve and equip Tukwila's diverse community. Because the City is bringing the program in-house it will cost less to operate the program in previous years. A $20,000 budget amendment for 2022 to support the new Community Connectors program will be included in the upcoming budget amendment process. This program qualifies for use of ARPA funds given that it was original cut as a part of the pandemic -related budget saving measures. RECOMMENDATION Information only C:\Users\andy-y\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.Outlook\R1NYNLZP\Info Memo CCAC Sep 2021 Final.doc Community Connector Curriculum (DRAFT Only) March/April Welcome and Kick off: Community Connectors 2022 Program May Basic Advocacy 101 June Advocacy 102 (Deeper Dive and Community Building) July Role of City Government and City Services - Executive (Mayor/Administration) - Legislative (City Council) - Judicial (Municipal Court) August Government 101: Understanding City services and community impact September How to join Boards and Commissions and How to become an Elected Official October Topic specific chosen by cohort November Topic specific chosen by cohort December Evaluation and End Year Celebration Staff and the CCAC propose to host community informational meetings monthly from January through March to recruit potential Connectors. CCAC members have agreed to help the City recruit potential Connectors, as well as vet the applications. Staff and the CCAC expect to have between 8 to 10 Connectors participate on an annual basis. The CCAC recommends that the program continue to provide childcare, interpretation and translation upon request, including culturally appropriate food and compensation through gift cards. The Community Connectors Advisory Committee (CCAC) agrees that a civic engagement academy is needed more to better serve and equip Tukwila's diverse community. Because the City is bringing the program in-house it will cost less to operate the program in previous years. A $20,000 budget amendment for 2022 to support the new Community Connectors program will be included in the upcoming budget amendment process. This program qualifies for use of ARPA funds given that it was original cut as a part of the pandemic -related budget saving measures. RECOMMENDATION Information only C:\Users\andy-y\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.Outlook\R1NYNLZP\Info Memo CCAC Sep 2021 Final.doc