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Home My WebLink AboutDECLARATION OF POLICY ABOUT CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS, Estab• 1!faw,7� �,41*AN) �,RS�JV, cam' �;)v Council/Agency Meeting Held: Deferred/Continued to: Approved ❑ Condit' nally Approved ❑ Denied erk's tature Council Meeting Date: April 16, 2001 Department ID Number: CS 01-025 CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION SUBMITTED TO:' HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS SUBMITTED BY: PAM JULIEN HOUCHEN, Mayor and Council Liaison SHIRLEY DETTLOFF, Council Liaison PREPARED BY: RON HAGAN, Director, Community Services SUBJECT: ADOPT A "DECLARATION OF POLICY ABOUT CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS" Statement of Issue, Funding Source, Recommended Action, Alternative Action(s), Analysis, Environmental Status, Attachment(s) Statement of Issue: The Children's Needs Task Force recommends the adoption of a "Declaration of Policy about Children and Young Adults." Funding Source: N/A Recommended Action: Motion to: Adopt a "Declaration of Policy About Children and Young Adults", as attached. Alternative Action(s): (1) Change wording in declaration and return to City Council for adoption, or (2) Do not adopt declaration. Analysis: At its meeting of August 7, 2000, the City Council adopted a resolution to establish a Children's Needs Task Force. Since that time, the members have been drafting a "Declaration of Policy about Children and Young Adults" to help the citizens of Huntington Beach recognize the importance of children and young adults in our community. The task force is hopeful that other agencies, organizations, and businesses throughout the city will join the City Council in declaring the value of young people in Huntington Beach. Environmental Status: Not applicable. Attachment(s): RCA Author: Bill Fowler I • • ATTACHMENT #1 A D4 r don of Policy About Children and �ng Adults By the Huntington Beach City Cou The citizens of Huntington Beach recognize that our children are our future. They will become the stewards of our communities, nation and the world; therefore, they deserve to be nurtured, protected and educated by a caring and committed citizenry. In all deliberations citizens understand that each young person is unique and born into circumstances influenced by genetics, economic factors, social and cultural differences, family structure and dynamics. In order to meet the needs of young people we must address their social, emotional, cognitive and physical development, thereby nurturing the whole child. Strong families are the most effective means of rearing children who feel secure, loved and supported as they move through the challenges of early childhood, middle school and high school. Supporting families through parent education, parenting resources, after school programs and access to physical and mental health care, will lend support to the family as a whole and in turn lend support to the child. Providing safe and secure neighborhoods, homes and schools in which youth and families can flourish is an important civic responsibility. Building strong neighborhood connections helps people form the kinds of relationships that stabilize and strengthen family life and increase respect for others and their property. Encouraging collaboration with schools, outside agencies, police, parents, businesses, citizens and the young people helps create a network that provides support when needed and focuses on prevention as a priority. Promoting strong academic programs within the City of Huntington Beach recognizes that quality schools benefit children and families, as well as the quality of life in the community. By working collaboratively with schools to educate the whole child the City is key to helping each child become the best that they can be! Many opportunities exist for positive interaction between schools and the community, including the use of open space and facilities, the exchange of staff and services and coordination of programs. Pro -active efforts regarding safety including safe walking and bike routes, traffic patterns around schools, bus safety and crossing guards helps ensure the safe transit of our youth to and from school. Promoting adequate facilities and modernization in development and redevelopment projects positively impacts young people. Facilitating positive alternative activities for children and young adults demonstrates that prevention is a priority in Huntington Beach. Providing places where young people and young adults can engage in constructive activities, can be safe from violence and from fear of rejection while having fun and learning is essential. Facilitating structured and informal programs, as well as free and pay -based programs, provides outreach to a greater number of children, including at risk youth. Ensuring access to support services, anti -drug and anti -violence education, as well as opportunities to grow and contribute to the community enhances each young person's opportunity for success. The citizens of Huntington Beach recognize the impact of positive role models that demonstrate good character, sportsmanship and citizenship. The citizens expect that all adults entrusted with the care of our children and young adults in schools, child care, neighborhoods, park and recreation activities, libraries, sports programs, businesses and leadership positions will be positive mentors for the children of Huntington Beach. The public good is advanced when young people understand that good character and good citizenship count in all aspects of their young and adult life with their families, in personal relationships, in school, the workplace and in government. Demonstrating that children and youth are an important part of the community clearly establishes that they are valued. Ensuring that young people have an opportunity to participate in community service, by facilitating leadership development, participation in programs and services that impact their life and by recognizing youth for good citizenship and community service the City validates their efforts and establishes goals for others to emulate. Together, the city of Huntington Beach and its citizens proclaim that the needs of children will be included as a priority in all planning and policy decisions that come before the City Council, Planning Commission, and city departments. The City will encourage other agencies, organizations and businesses throughout the city to endorse and model the traits of good character, good sportsmanship and good citizenship and to make children a priority in their decisions. The foregoing declaration of policy about children and young adults was unanimously adopted by the Huntington Beach City Council on RCA*ROUTING 9HEET INITIATING DEPARTMENT: Community Services SUBJECT: Adopt a "Declaration of Policy About Children and Young Adults" COUNCIL MEETING DATE: Aril 16, 2001 RCA ATTACHMENTS STATUS Ordinance (w/exhibits & legislative draft if applicable) Not Applicable Resolution (w/exhibits & legislative draft if applicable) Not Applicable Tract Map, Location Map and/or other Exhibits Not Applicable Contract/Agreement (w/exhibits if applicable) (Signed in full by the City Attorne) Not Applicable Subleases, Third Party Agreements, etc. (Approved as to form by City Attorney) Not Applicable Certificates of Insurance (Approved by the City Attorney) Not Applicable Financial Impact Statement (Unbudget, over $5,000) Not Applicable Bonds (If applicable) Not Applicable Staff Report (If applicable) Not Applicable Commission, Board or Committee Report (If applicable) Not Applicable Findings/Conditions for Approval and/or Denial Not Applicable RCA Author: Bill Fowler