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WELL, GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE.
I'D LIKE TO CALL THE BUDGET OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEETING TO ORDER FOR SEPTEMBER 2ND, 2025.
MADAM CLERK, CAN YOU CALL THE ROLE PLEASE? COUNCILWOMAN ALLEN.
[CALL TO ORDER]
UH, LOVELY.CAN YOU PLEASE READ THE FIRST ITEM? ITEM ONE IS A RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR THE BUDGET OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEETING OF TUESDAY, AUGUST 26TH, 2025.
[ROLL CALL]
OH, YOU KNOW WHAT? I'LL, I'LL, I'LL ABSTAIN FROM THAT ACTUALLY, CAN YOU, CAN YOU MOVE THAT? I'LL ABSTAIN.[1. 25-56279 Recommendation to approve the minutes for the Budget Oversight Committee meeting of Tuesday, August 26, 2025. Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]
ALL RIGHT.UM, ANYONE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM? WE HAVE ONE PUBLIC COMMENT OR TWO PUBLIC COMMENTERS FOR ITEM ONE, WHICH IS THE MINUTES? THIS IS FOR THE MINUTES FOR THE LAST MEETING.
SEEING NONE, WE CAN GO AHEAD AND VOTE.
[00:05:01]
RECOMMENDATION TO RECEIVE AND FILE AN UPDATE ON THE SAFE PASSAGE PROGRAM.SEE WE OUR FIRST AND A SECOND, AND I BELIEVE WE'RE GOING TO GET A PRESENTATION.
UH, STAFF CAN START WHENEVER THEY ARE READY.
[2. 25-56283 Recommendation to receive and file an update on the Safe Passage program. Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]
GOOD AFTERNOON.MY NAME IS ERICA VALENCIA DCI.
I AM THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR AT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
UM, WITH ME, I HAVE TWO SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS.
FIRST, WE HAVE, UM, STEPHANIE KALIK.
SHE'S THE COMMUNITY IMPACT DIVISION OFFICER, AND THE COMMUNITY IMPACT DIVISION HOUSES THE CITY'S VIOLENCE PREVENTION WORK.
THEN WE HAVE TEAL SAMUELS, OUR CITY VIOLENCE PREVENTION MANAGER, AND HE'S ALSO HERE TODAY.
TODAY WE'RE GONNA BE TALKING ABOUT SAFE PASSAGE.
IT'S A PROGRAM THAT'S DESIGNED TO SUPPORT SAFER ROUTES FOR STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND NEIGHBORS.
BEFORE WE DIVE INTO THE DETAILS, WE'D LIKE TO TAKE A QUICK LOOK ON TODAY'S AGENDA.
WE'LL START WITH AN OVERVIEW OF THE SAFE PASSAGE PROGRAM, FOLLOWED BY A BREAKDOWN OF FUNDING THAT HAS SUPPORTED THESE EFFORTS.
THEN WE'LL WALK THROUGH THE APPROACH WE TAKE TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE, WHICH IS ROOTED IN PUBLIC HEALTH.
IT LOOKS AT PREVENTION, INTERVENTION, AND VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION.
AND AFTER THAT, WE WILL HIGHLIGHT OUR PROVIDERS AND WE'LL CLOSE WITH OUTCOMES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PROGRAM.
AND ALSO JUST WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE, UM, SOME OF OUR PARTNERS ARE HERE TODAY ALONG WITH OUR STAFF.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING.
HELLO, SAFE PASSAGE IS A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO ENHANCE SAFETY FOR STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS AS THEY TRAVEL TO AND FROM SCHOOLS AND PARKS.
THE CONCEPT BEHIND THE STRATEGY REQUIRES PLACING TRUSTED ADULTS ALONG THE ROUTES, MOST COMMONLY USED, CREATING BOTH A SENSE OF SECURITY AND A VISIBLE PRESENCE OF CARE.
THERE WERE TWO MODELS WE USED DURING IMPLEMENTATION CONCURRENTLY.
THE FIRST WE'LL DISCUSS IS THE VOLUNTEER MODEL, OFTEN LED BY SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS.
IT ENGAGES PARENTS, RESIDENTS, RESIDENTS, AND LOCAL BUSINESSES AS VOLUNTEERS TO STAND WATCH ALONG SCHOOL ROUTES.
THIS MODEL IS ESPECIALLY MEANINGFUL FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN, OFFERING DETERRENCE, REASSURANCE, AND A STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT.
THE SECOND MODEL USED FOR IMPLEMENTATION IS THE PROFESSIONAL OR PARAPROFESSIONAL MODEL.
THIS APPROACH EMPLOYS PAID AND TRAINED STAFF OFTEN FROM THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE.
BECAUSE OF THAT, THE MODEL LENDS TO CONSISTENCY, RELATIONSHIP BUILDING, AND THE ABILITY TO RECOGNIZE PATTERNS AND TRENDS IN AREAS WITH HIGHER INCIDENTS OF VIOLENCE AND DISTURBANCES, OR WITH OLDER YOUTH AND CHILDREN.
THIS MODEL IS PARTICULARLY EFFECTIVE AND IS A KEY COMPONENT OF NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION STRATEGIES.
THE SAFE PASSAGE PROGRAM WAS SUPPORTED THROUGH MULTIPLE FUNDING SOURCES ACROSS THREE FISCAL YEARS.
IN FISCAL YEAR 2024, FUNDING CAME FROM THE LONG BEACH RECOVERY ACT AND THROUGH A COMPETITIVE PROCUREMENT PROCESS, HEALTH SELECTED DAYS LONG BEACH RECEIVING $80,000 AND SECOND CALL RECEIVING $220,000.
IN FISCAL YEAR 2025 SUPPORT TRANSITION TO THE ONE-TIME GENERAL FUND THAT EXTENDED CONTACT CONTRACTS WITH EXISTING PROVIDERS.
TO WHICH DAYS LONG BEACH RECEIVED $80,000, A SECOND CALL RECEIVED $188,000.
IN FISCAL YEAR 25, HEALTH WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE $40,000 IN FUNDING FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY TO SUPPLEMENT THEIR EXISTING EFFORTS WITH WASHINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL.
LOOKING AHEAD IN FISCAL YEAR 2026, THE MAYOR'S BUDGET RECOMMENDATION INCLUDES $285,000 IN ONE TIME, GENERAL FUND DOLLARS TO CONS CONTINUE SAFE PASSAGE PROGRAMMING.
IN ADDITION TO CITY INVESTMENTS, THE LONG BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT FUNDED SAFE PASSAGE EFFORTS IN 2024 TO 2025, AND WILL CONTINUE TO FUND THEM IN 2025.
CENTRAL CHA AT CABRILLO HIGH SCHOOL IN ADMIRAL KIDD PARK, L-B-U-S-D ALSO WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE APRIL PARKER FOUNDATION, WHICH PROVIDED SAFE PASSAGE AT BARTON LINDBERGH AND POWELL SCHOOLS DURING THE 20 24 20 25 SCHOOL YEAR AT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
OUR APPROACH TO VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND ADVANCING PEACE IS ROOTED IN PUBLIC HEALTH AND COLLECTIVE IMPACT.
WE BELIEVE EVERY DEPARTMENT SECTOR AND COMMUNITY PARTNER HAS A ROLE TO PLAY.
AND SUCCESS COMES FROM WORKING TOGETHER.
THROUGH INITIATIVES LIKE SAFE PASSAGE, WE ENGAGE COMMUNITIES, FOSTER SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS, AND CREATE ENVIRONMENTS THAT SUPPORT PREVENTION.
OUR FOCUS IS ON UPSTREAM STRATEGIES, IMPROVING CONDITIONS EARLY
[00:10:01]
ACROSS EVERY STAGE OF LIFE TO STRENGTHEN PATHWAYS FOR STABLE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT.BY COORDINATING RESOURCES, BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS, AND MAINTAINING CLEAR COMMUNICATION, WE CAN IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE AND ADVANCE PEACE ACROSS OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
OUR INTERVENTION AND VIOLENCE INTERVENTION STRATEGIES FOCUS ON THOSE AT HIGHEST RISK OF ENGAGING IN OR BEING VICTIMIZED BY VIOLENCE.
THESE EFFORTS INVEST DIRECTLY IN INDIVIDUALS, PROVIDE SUPPORT AND WORK TO INTERRUPT MULTIPLE FORMS OF VIOLENCE BEFORE THEY ESCALATE VIOLENCE.
INTERRUPTION MODELS ALSO RESPOND TO REALTIME INCIDENTS, HELPING TO PREVENT RETALIATION AND REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF FURTHER HARM.
EQUALLY IMPORTANT IS THE ACTIVATION OF PHYSICAL SPACES, AND SO REMOVING GRAFFITI, ADDRESSING SYMBOLS OF VIOLENCE, AND CREATING ENVIRONMENTS THAT ENCOURAGE POSITIVE SOCIAL ACTIVITY TOGETHER, THESE STRATEGIES HELP REDUCE RISK, REDIRECT HARM, I'M SORRY, REDIRECT.
RISK, REDUCE HARM, AND STRENGTHEN.
COMMUNITY SAFETY PREVENTION INTERVENTION AND VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION ARE MOST EFFECTIVE WHEN THEY WORK TOGETHER.
BY INVESTING IN THESE EFFORTS, WE CREATE BOTH ACCOUNTABILITY AND HEALING.
ACCOUNTABILITY AND HEALING ARE COLLECTIVE WORK ROOTED IN CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT AND EDUCATING OUR COMMUNITIES AND OURSELVES AND IN CREATING SAFE SPACES FOR THOSE IMPACTED BY VIOLENCE AND VICARIOUS TRAUMA.
SAFE PASSAGE REFLECTS THIS APPROACH IN ACTION.
IT COMBINES PREVENTION THROUGH VISIBLE, CARING ADULTS ALONG WALKING ROUTES WITH INTERVENTION STRATEGIES THAT BUILD TRUST, DISRUPTED VIOLENCE, AND SUPPORTED SAFER ENVIRONMENTS FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.
TOGETHER, THESE EFFORTS SHOW HOW COORDINATED STRATEGIES CAN STRENGTHEN SAFETY AND PEACE ACROSS OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
I'LL NOW HAND IT OVER TO TEAL TO GO OVER THE OUTCOMES OF OUR EFFORTS.
UH, IT'S AN HONOR TO BE HERE, UH, THROUGH THE CITY OF LONG BEACH'S SAFE PASSAGE PROGRAM, THE HEALTH DEPART PARTNERED WITH TRUSTED ORGANIZATIONS TO CREATE SAFER ROUTES FOR STUDENTS.
EACH AGENCY SELECTED THE MODEL THAT BEST FITS ITS COMMUNITY, AND TOGETHER THESE EFFORTS STRENGTHENED SCHOOL SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD WELLBEING.
IN NORTH LONG BEACH, WE WORK WITH SECOND CALL TO IMPLEMENT THE PROFESSIONAL MODEL NEAR JORDAN HIGH SCHOOL AND HOWTON PARK.
PAID AND TRAINED, TRAINED STAFF DRAWN DIRECTLY FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITY PROVIDE PROVIDED A CONSISTENT DAILY PRESENCE AND ALLOWED THEM TO SPOT PATTERNS, BUILD TRUST, AND STEP IN WHEN TENSIONS AROSE BY INCORPORATING NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION STRATEGIES, THIS MODEL WENT BEYOND MONITORING.
IT CREATED OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEDIATION GUIDANCE, AND PREVENTING CONFLICT FROM ESCALATING IN CENTRAL EAST LONG BEACH.
WE WORK WITH DAYS LONG BEACH AND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY.
LA UNDER, UNDER THE VOLUNTEER MODEL, DAYS SUPPORTED ROUTES ALONG THE ORANGE AVENUE CORRIDOR, NEAR FRANKLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL, LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND WHITTIER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
WHILE HABITAT FOCUSED ON THE WASHINGTON NEIGHBORHOOD AND WASHINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL, THE MODEL ENGAGES PARENTS, NEIGHBORS, BUSINESSES, AND SCHOOL STAFF IS VISIBLE GUARDIANS REINFORCING SHARED RESPONSIBILITY FOR STUDENT SAFETY.
TAKEN TOGETHER THESE APPROACHES DEMONSTRATE HOW DIFFERENT MODELS MEET DIFFERENT NEEDS.
THE VOLUNTEER MODEL TAPPED INTO THE NATURAL STRENGTH OF COMMUNITY, WHILE THE PROFESSIONAL MODEL OFFERED THE CONSISTENCY AND CAPACITY NEEDED IN AREAS FACING HIGHER RISK.
DURING THE TIME SAFE PASSAGE WAS ACTIVE, WE OBSERVED CHRONIC ABSENTEE RATES GO DOWN IN PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS.
I WANT TO NOTE THAT THE AMOUNT REFLECTED IN THE SLIDE SPANS MONTHS OVER THE COURSE OF VARIOUS, UH, UH, VARIOUS ACADEMIC YEARS.
THE CONTRACTS WEREN'T ALWAYS IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE SCHOOL'S ACADEMIC YEARS DUE TO DELAYS IN CONTRACTING FROM APRIL, 2024 THROUGH MAY, 2025, SAFE PASSED PROVIDERS FACILITATED 20,527 INTERACTIONS WITH STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
AN INTERACTION WAS DEFINED AS ACTIVELY ENGAGING WITH AN INDIVIDUAL, WHETHER OR NOT THE INTERACTION WAS RECIPROCATED.
FOR EXAMPLE, HELPING A GROUP OF STUDENTS ACROSS THE STREET WOULD COUNT AS AN INTERACTION.
DURING THIS TIME, STAFF DOCUMENTED 194 INCIDENTS.
AN INCIDENT WAS DEFINED AS AN EVENT OR OCCURRENCE THAT THREATENED, DISRUPTED OR HAD THE POTENTIAL TO HARM THE PHYSICAL OR EMOTIONAL SAFETY OF STUDENTS, STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, OR COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN THE
[00:15:01]
AREA WHERE SAFE PASSAGE WAS BEING IMPLEMENTED.EXAMPLES INCLUDE FIGHTS, GRAFFITI, OR SHOOTINGS.
OF THESE 194 INCIDENTS 155 WERE DIRECTLY RESPONDED TO BY SAFE PASSAGE TEAM MEMBERS.
THE REMAINING INCIDENTS WERE EITHER REPORTED AFTER THE FACT OR OCCURRED IN SITUATIONS WHERE PROVIDERS DID NOT HAVE THE CAPACITY TO RESPOND.
IN ADDITION, PROVIDERS RECORDED 373 SUBSTANTIAL INTERACTIONS WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS, SUCH AS MOMENTS WHERE NEIGHBORS EXPRESSED APPRECIATION OR BEGAN BUILDING ONGOING RE RELATIONSHIPS.
THESE MEANINGFUL EXCHANGES SHOWED HOW SAFE PASSAGE NOT ONLY ENHANCED SAFETY, BUT ALSO BUILD TRUST AND STRENGTHEN NEIGHBORHOOD CONNECTIONS.
AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THIS CHART, THE NUMBER OF INTERACTIONS STEADILY INCREASE OVER THE COURSE OF THE PROGRAM.
THIS TREND REFLECTS MORE THAN JUST NUMBERS.
OVER TIME, STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND NEIGHBORS GREW MORE COMFORTABLE ENGAGING WITH STAFF.
WHETHER THAT MEANT ASKING FOR SUPPORT, OFFERING FEEDBACK, OR SIMPLY STOPPING TO SAY HELLO.
THIS GROWTH IN INTERACTIONS IS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE IT DEMONSTRATES HOW THE PROGRAM'S EFFECTIVENESS DEPENDS ON TRUST AND RELATIONSHIP BUILDING.
THE MORE FA FAMILIAR AND RELIABLE SAFE PASSES STAFF BECAME THE GREATER THEIR ABILITY TO DETER UNSAFE BEHAVIORS, DEESCALATE CONFLICTS, AND PROVIDE REASSURANCE TO PARENTS AND STUDENTS ALIKE.
LOOKING AT WHERE INCIDENTS WERE REPORTED, THE VAST MAJORITY OCCURRED IN NORTH LONG BEACH.
IN FACT, 91% OF ALL INCIDENTS DOCUMENTED DURING THE PROGRAM TOOK PLACE THERE COMPARED TO JUST UNDER 9% IN CENTRAL EAST.
THIS CONCENTRATION UNDERSCORES WHY NORTH LONG BEACH REQUIRES GREATER ATTENTION AND RESOURCES.
IT ALSO REFLECTS HOW THE PROFESSIONAL MODEL USED IN THIS AREA ENABLES STAFF TO BE MORE DILIGENT IN TRACKING INCIDENTS WITH DEDICATED TIME AND CONSISTENT PRESENCE.
STAFF WERE ABLE TO OBSERVE BEHAVIOR PATTERNS, DOCUMENT ISSUES IN REAL TIME, AND RESPOND QUICKLY WHEN CONCERNS AROSE.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE PROFESSIONAL MODEL NOT ONLY ALLOWED US TO RESPOND CONSISTENTLY, BUT ALSO ENABLED THE COLLECTION OF MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON INCIDENT TYPES COMPARED TO THE VOLUNTEER MODEL.
THIS DATA SHOWS THAT OF THE 155 INCIDENTS RESPONDED TO THE MOST FREQUENTLY RECORDED WERE FIGHTS OR DISTURBANCES.
WITH 75 DOCUMENTED, THE DATA ALSO HIGHLIGHTED THE MOST FREQUENTLY USED INTERVENTIONS.
90 INSTANCE, 90 INSTANCES OF VIOLENCE INTERVENTION 86 MEDIATIONS, 61 RUMOR CONTROL EFFORTS, 13 FAMILY MEDIATIONS AND 41 GANG INTERVENTIONS.
IN ADDITION TO RESPONDING TO INCIDENTS, 373 POSITIVE INTERACTIONS WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS WERE DOCUMENTED.
THESE INCLUDED ASSISTING PARENTS FOSTERING MUTUAL PEACE AGREEMENTS AMONG STUDENTS AND BUILDING TRUST WITH NEIGHBORS.
WHILE VOLUNTEER BASED MODELS ARE EQUALLY IMPORTANT IN CREATING COMMUNITY PRESENCE AND REASSURANCE, THEY FACE NATURAL CHALLENGES IN CAPTURING THIS LEVEL OF DETAIL WITHOUT DEDICATED STAFF.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE VOLUNTEER MODEL REMAINS A HIGHLY COST EFFECTIVE APPROACH, WHICH MAKES IT ESPECIALLY VALUABLE FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS.
TAKEN TOGETHER THIS DISTINCTION HIGHLIGHTS HOW THE PROFESSIONAL MODEL OFFERED ADDED CAPACITY, NOT ONLY ENSURING CONSISTENT SAFETY ALONG WALKING ROUTES, BUT ALSO CAPTURING THE COMPLEXITIES OF WHAT STUDENTS FACE AND SHOWING AND SHOWING HOW LAYERED RESPONSES CAN BUILD PEACE IN REAL TIME.
THESE INSIGHTS HELP GUIDE PREVENTION STRATEGIES AND MAKE THE CASE FOR PRIORITIZING RESOURCES WHERE THE NEED IS GREATEST.
UM, WE TALKED ABOUT THE NUMBERS, UH, BUT SOMETIMES THE REAL IMPACT IS BEST UNDERSTOOD IN THE VOICES OF THOSE WHO EXPERIENCE SAFE PASSES FIRSTHAND.
UM, WHILE I WON'T READ OFF THESE QUOTES, UH, I'D JUST LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THESE STORIES HERE, UM, WITH THE FIRST ONE BEING, UM, FROM A PARENT, UH, WHO CALLED SECOND, UH, CALL, SECOND CALL STAFF, TO STOP A BIG FIGHT.
UM, AND THIS IS WHERE THEY WERE ABLE TO GET, UH, NOT ONLY THE SECOND CALL STAFF, BUT THE SCHOOL, UH, UH, UH, SAFETY INVOLVED, UH, AND THEY WERE GRATEFUL FOR THEIR
[00:20:01]
SUPPORT.WHILE THE SECOND ONE, UM, IS FROM A PARENT, UM, WHO TALKED ABOUT A GROWING CONNECTION, UH, WITH THE STUDENT AND THE, UH, SECOND CALL STAFF.
THESE SMALL BUT MEANINGFUL INTERACTIONS REFLECT THE TRUST THAT IS BEING BUILT WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, AND THEY SERVE AS A POSITIVE SIGN THAT OUR EFFORTS ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
UM, TOGETHER THESE STORIES HIGHLIGHT TWO ESSENTIAL OUTCOMES OF THIS WORK, STEPPING IN DURING CRITICAL MOMENTS TO PREVENT HARM AND BUILDING EVERYDAY RELATIONSHIPS THAT STRENGTHEN NEIGHBORHOODS OVER TIME.
IT IS THE BALANCE OF IMMEDIATE INTERVENTION AND LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP BUILDING THAT STRENGTHEN THE FABRIC OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
UH, AND WHILE I WON'T READ THESE STORIES OUT LOUD EITHER, UH, WE WANT TO TO UPLIFT ADDITIONAL STORIES FOR YOUR REFLECTION.
UM, THESE STORIES REMIND US THAT SAFE PASSAGE IS NOT JUST ABOUT RESPONDING TO INCIDENTS, UH, BUT ABOUT BUILDING TRUST, UH, PREVENTING HARM BEFORE IT HAPPENS, AND SUPPORTING THE EVERYDAY WELLBEING OF STUDENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
I HOPE THESE STORIES REMIND US WHY THIS WORK MATTERS.
SAFETY IS MORE THAN THE ABSENCE OF VIOLENCE.
IT, IT IS THE PRESENCE OF CONNECTION, CARE, AND OPPORTUNITY.
WHEN WE INVEST IN THESE EFFORTS, WE NOT ONLY PROTECT STUDENTS ON THEIR WAY TO AND FROM SCHOOL, WE STRENGTHEN NEIGHBORHOODS AND CREATE THE KIND OF COMMUNITY WE ALL WANT TO LIVE IN.
FOR THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR, UH, 2025 TO 2026, L-B-U-S-D IS PLANNING TO CONTINUE FUNDING SAFE PASSAGE EFFORTS AT CABRILLO AND ADMIRAL KID PARK.
UH, PENDING FINAL L-B-U-S-D BOARD APPROVAL, CENTRAL CHA WILL ONCE AGAIN BE THE PROVIDER HABITAT, UH, FOR HUMANITY OF GREATER LOS ANGELES, WHICH HAS BEEN A LONGSTANDING PARTNER IN THE WASHINGTON NEIGHBORHOOD, WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SAFE PASSAGE EFFORTS.
THE CITY OF LONG BEACH ENTERED INTO A CONTRACT WITH THEM IN MAY, 2025 THAT WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE END OF SEPTEMBER, 2025 TO SUPPLEMENT THEIR EFFORTS.
GIVEN THE TRANSITION OF WASHINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL TO BUTLER, HOWEVER, THE ORGANIZATION HAS INDEPENDENTLY SUSTAINED ITS SAFE PASSAGE EFFORTS FOR YEARS.
THEIR CURRENT WORK INCLUDES ROUTES NEAR WASHINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL AND ITS BUSING LOCATIONS, AND ITS TEMPORARY BUTLER MARY SCHOOL SITE, MAKING THEM ONE OF THE MOST CONSISTENT PROVIDERS IN THE CITY.
LOOKING AHEAD BASED ON DATA AND ANECDOTAL FEEDBACK FROM THE 20 24 20 25 SCHOOL YEAR CITY STAFF RECOMMEND TO CONTINUE SAFE PASSAGE EFFORTS AT THE JORDAN HIGH SCHOOL AND HELTON PARK AREA.
CITY STAFF HAVE CONFERRED WITH L-B-U-S-D FOR CONFIRMATION OF THIS SITE AND L-B-U-S-D CONCURRED WITH THIS RECOMMENDATION.
THE NEED IN NORTH LONG BEACH, PARTICULARLY AROUND JORDAN HIGH SCHOOL, HAS BEEN CONSISTENTLY VALIDATED BY L-B-U-S-D LEADERSHIP WHO IDENTIFY THIS AREA AS A PRIORITY FOR STUDENT SAFETY.
FURTHER, ACCORDING TO, UH, LBPD CRIME STATISTICS IN THE NORTH DIVISION, SPECIFICALLY PERSON BASED CRIMES INCREASED BY 16% COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS YEAR, A MUCH HIGHER RISE IN THE CITYWIDE AVERAGE.
THIS TREND UNDERSCORES THE URGENT NEED FOR STRENGTHENING VIOLENCE PREVENTION EFFORTS IN THIS AREA.
TAKEN TOGETHER, THE DATA AND THE PROFESSIONAL MODEL REINFORCE WHAT WE HAVE HEARD FROM SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS, STUDENTS AROUND JORDAN HIGH SCHOOL AND HOW PARK FACE SOME OF THE MOST PRESSING SAFETY CHALLENGES.
AND SAFE PA PASSAGE PLAYED AN ESPECIALLY CRITICAL ROLE IN THAT COMMUNITY.
THESE RECOMMENDATIONS REF REFLECT BOTH DEMONSTRATED OUTCOMES AND COMMUNITY DRIVEN PRIORITIES, MAKING JORDAN AND HOUGHTON STRONG CANDIDATES FOR SUSTAINED CITY INVESTMENT MOVING FORWARD.
UM, I'LL OPEN IT UP FOR ANY QUESTIONS.
THANK YOU FOR SO MUCH FOR THAT PRESENTATION AND JUST THE BACKGROUND AND ALSO JUST THE KIND OF THE DATA AND METRICS AND TALKING ABOUT HOW THE, UM, THE, THE DIFFERENT PLATFORMS AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH OPERATE, UM, AS WELL AS, UH, WHAT THEIR IMPACT HAS BEEN, UM, ON OUR STUDENTS.
SO THANK YOU FOR SO MUCH, MUCH FOR THAT.
UM, ANY DISCUSSION FROM, OH, I'M GONNA GO FIRST TO VICE MAYOR RANGA, SOMEBODY ELSE.
UH, THANK FOR THE PRESENTATION.
UH, ON THE THIRD SLIDE, YOU HAVE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A VOLUNTEER MODEL AND A PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL MODEL.
[00:25:01]
WHAT ARE THE, UH, CLASSIFICATIONS THAT YOU USE FOR THEM? WHO ARE THEY? WHO ARE THEY OR WHAT ARE THEY? ME? WHAT ARE THE POSITIONS DO YOU USE ON CLERKS? SO NEEDS WHAT? SO FOR THE VOLUNTEER MODEL, UH, PARTICULARLY WORKING WITH DAYS LONG BEACH, WE OFTEN WORK WITH, UH, SOME OF THE PARENTS WHO ARE STUDENTS OF THE SCHOOLS, UH, WHO, UH, WERE MONITORING SAFE PASSAGE ROUTE.SAME FOR HABITAT LA WHO BOTH U USED THE VOLUNTEER MODEL WITH SECOND CALL, WE EMPLOYED THE PROFESSIONAL MODEL, WHICH WERE, UM, UH, PAID STAFF WHO WERE FROM THE COMMUNITIES, UH, THAT THEY WERE MONITORING AROUND, UH, ALL IN ALL SECOND CALL USED APPROXIMATELY SIX PAID STAFF TO MONITOR THE ROUTE, UH, VERY STRATEGICALLY ALONG THE PERIMETER OF TON PARK IN JORDAN HIGH SCHOOL.
UH, MANY OF THEM WE WERE ALSO ABLE TO CERTIFY, CERTIFY THROUGH EITHER P-C-I-T-I, UH, OR UPI, WHICH ARE, UH, COMMUNITY INTERVENTION, UH, PROFESSIONAL MODELS, ARE THEY, UH, SCREENED, UH, GO THROUGH BACKGROUND CHECKS AND ALL THAT GOOD STUFF? YES.
THE, THE AGENCIES THAT WE WORK WITH, UH, UH, ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SCREENING.
YOU KNOW, THAT'S IMPORTANT WHEN YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY, ESPECIALLY WORKING WITH KIDS.
ALRIGHT, THE NEXT ONE IS, UH, YOU HAVE, UH, A GRAPH UP HERE, NOT A GRAPH.
ANYHOW, A, UH, UH, WHAT, IT'S RIGHT HERE.
I THINK IT'S ADE NO
UH, THERE'S A, THERE'S A, UH, A CIRCLE WHERE YOU HAVE 91% NORTHERN IN THE REMAINDER CENTRAL AND EAST.
THIS THE ONE YOU WANTED? YEAH.
SO WHY IS NOT WEST SIDE THERE? UM, WE, WE WERE THERE WITH RIO AND STEVENS AND WE'RE PROVIDING SAFE PASSAGE, BUT THERE'S NO DATA.
WHAT'S GOING ON? DID YOU SAY CABRILLO AND STEVENS? THERE'S NO DATA THERE.
UM, SO WE DID YOU READ THERE, NOTHING HAPPENED IN THE WEST SIDE.
SO L-B-U-S-D UH, FUNDED THE CABRILLO SAFE PASSAGE EFFORT.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ON THEIR DATA, WE CAN REACH OUT TO LBUSD.
I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN MY NEIGHBORHOODS.
AND THEN JUST TO, UM, BEFORE I GO TO COUNCILWOMAN ALLEN, JUST TO CLARIFY, I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE ACTUALLY GET A LOT FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS AS WELL.
CAN YOU ALL JUST KIND OF REITERATE THE, THE, THE PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN HISTORICALLY FUNDED BY THE CITY AND VERSUS THE PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN FUNDED BY, UH, LONG BEACH UNIFIED? I THINK BECAUSE WE OPERATE AT A LONG BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT SITE, I THINK IT OFTEN GETS CONFLATED.
SO COULD YOU ALL JUST KIND OF REITERATE THAT TO, TO EVERYONE AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS? YES, ABSOLUTELY.
UH, SO, UH, IN MOST RECENT HISTORY, WHILE SAFE PASSAGE HAS A LONG HISTORY IN LONG BEACH, UH, CITY FUNDED SAFE PASSAGE PROGRAMS INCLUDE, UM, JORDAN HIGH SCHOOL AND HILTON PARK.
UH, AND OUR PROVIDER FOR THAT AREA WAS SECOND CALL, UH, FOR WHITTIER FRANKLIN AND LINCOLN.
UH, WE WORK WITH DAYS ALONG THE ORANGE CORRIDOR.
UM, SO THAT WAS OUR MOST RECENT EFFORT.
AND, UH, WHILE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HAS HAD A LONG HISTORY IN THE WASHINGTON NEIGHBORHOOD SUPPORTING WASHINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL KIDS, UH, WE PROVIDED THEM, UH, SOME PARTIAL FUNDING FOR THEIR EFFORT FROM MAY, 2025 THAT WILL RUN THROUGH THE END OF SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
OTHER NON-CITY FUNDED EFFORTS IN, UH, MORE RECENT TIMES INCLUDED, UH, CAPRIO HIGH SCHOOL, MONITORED BY CENTRAL CHA.
UM, IN THE PAST, APRIL PARKER WORKED WITH BARTON LINDBERGH AND POWELL, UM, AND THEY ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON THEIR STRATEGY IN WHICH WE'RE IN CONVERSATIONS TO IDENTIFY WHAT SCHOOLS, UH, THEY'LL BE MONITORING.
FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, UM, THEY ARE PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR JORDAN HIGH SCHOOL IN ABSENCE OF SECOND CALL CURRENTLY, BUT WE'RE STILL WORKING OUT JUST IDENTIFYING WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.
UM, BUT THEY'RE MONITORING THAT EFFORT.
AND JUST TO CLARIFY, WHEN YOU SAY AN ABSENCE OF SECOND CALL AS BECAUSE THE CONTRACT THAT WE HAD AND THE FUNDING WE HAVE WITH SECOND CALL HAS EXPIRED, AND SO THEREFORE, ARE WE IN KIND OF LIKE AN INTERIM PERIOD UNTIL WE POTENTIALLY FUND A NEW
[00:30:01]
SAFE PASSAGE PROGRAM? YES.AND, UH, FOR FURTHER CLARITY, UH, APRIL PARKER HAS AN AGREEMENT WITH L-B-U-S-D OR HAD ONE? THEY HAVE ONE.
THEY DON'T HAVE ONE CURRENTLY.
THEY HAD ONE, BUT DON'T HAVE ONE CURRENTLY.
AND THEN FOR THE CHILDREN, $85,000 THAT IS CURRENTLY IN THE MAYOR'S RECOMMENDATIONS, HOW WOULD THAT FUNDING BE USED? UM, UH, ASSUMING THAT, UH, THAT THAT FUNDING GOES FORWARD AND IS APPROVED? WE WOULD RECOMMEND, UH, BASED ON OUR RECOMMENDATIONS, WHICH I'LL PULL UP ON THIS LAST SLIDE, IS THAT WE WOULD USE THAT FUNDING TO CONTINUE EFFORTS IN NORTH LONG BEACH BASED ON DATA, BASED ON OUR CONVERSATIONS WITH L-B-U-S-D.
THE PARA, THE PROFESSIONAL PARAPROFESSIONAL MODEL IS MORE COSTLY AND MORE EXPENSIVE BECAUSE YOU ARE PAYING INSTEAD OF HAVING VOLUNTEERS.
BUT OUR RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE TO CONTINUE EFFORTS IN NORTH LONG BEACH.
AND THEN JUST, AND THEN ALSO TO CLARIFY, THE, THE FUNDING THAT WE HAVE CURRENTLY ON THE TABLE WOULD BE FOR, UM, THE CITY, THE CITY FUNDED SITE, WHICH IS JORDAN HIGH SCHOOL, HOUGHTON PARK.
HOWEVER, THERE'S A SEPARATE, UM, PROCESS CURRENTLY ONGOING WITH LONG BEACH UNIFIED WITH POTENTIALLY WITH CENTRAL CHA TO SUPPORT CABRILLO HIGH SCHOOL AND ADMIRAL KIT PARK.
UH, AND THEN ADDITIONALLY, THE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, UH, PROGRAM IS SELF-FUNDED AND WE, WE BELIEVE THAT THAT WILL CONTINUE AS WELL.
AND THOSE DO NOT DEPEND ON CITY FUNDS.
UM, I JUST WANNA FIRSTLY SAY THIS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT PROGRAM AND, UM, AND SO, UH, THANK YOU FOR, UH, THE PRESENTATION WHEN YOU TALKED ABOUT OVER 20,000 INTERACTIONS, AND ESPECIALLY THE INTERACTION WITH THAT MOM WHO'S HELPING TO MAKE SURE HER CHILD IS, YOU KNOW, IS, UH, GETTING TO, UM, IS, IS ABLE TO, UH, YOU KNOW, WHEN HER CHILD'S NOT THERE.
AND TO HAVE PEOPLE WATCHING THAT, I THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.
IT SPEAKS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PROGRAM AND THE TRUST THAT IT'S BUILDING BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY, THE TEACHERS, THE PARENTS, AND THE STUDENTS.
UM, I, UH, I WANTED TO TALK A LITTLE BIT.
UM, SO THANK YOU FOR ASKING THE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MAYOR, HOW THAT'S GONNA BE, UH, SPENT.
'CAUSE THAT WAS ONE OF MY QUESTIONS.
UM, BUT, UM, SO I'M SO, SO FROM THE VOLUNTEER TO THE PROFESSIONAL MODEL, YOU KNOW, I, UM, MET WITH, UH, SOME OF THE FOLKS FROM CENTRAL TRIAL LAST WEEK.
AND, UM, I DEFINITELY WOULD LIKE TO SEE, I LIKE THE PROFESSIONAL MODEL, BUT MAYBE THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PROFESSIONAL MODEL TO ALSO HAVE AN ELEMENT THAT'S, THAT'S, UM, SUPERVISING THE VOLUNTEER MODELS, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE I KNOW.
UM, FRANKLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL IS A SCHOOL THAT'S, THAT'S, UH, REACHED OUT TO ME, THE PARENTS, THE, UM, UH, THE TEACHERS.
AND, UM, AND THAT'LL BE ONE OF MY NEXT QUESTIONS, LIKE, HOW DO WE EXPAND THIS FOR SCHOOLS THAT ARE REALLY IN NEED, LIKE FRANKLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL? BUT I LIKE WHAT CENTRAL CHA, UH, IS, IS DOING, UM, WITH THIS PROGRAM.
AND, UM, AND THEN MAYBE THERE'S A, THERE'S A CHANCE FOR THEM TO ALSO, UH, IF WE HAVE VOLUNTEERS, I HAVE A LOT OF VOLUNTEERS IN, IN DISTRICT TWO THAT WOULD WANT, WANNA WORK ON THIS PROGRAM, BUT THEY, BUT THEY HAVEN'T REALLY BEEN MANAGED, YOU KNOW, SO THERE'S A WAY FOR THE PROFESSIONAL, UM, UH, CONTRACTOR TO ALSO MANAGE A VOLUNTEER PORTION OF IT.
AND MAYBE THAT'S JUST CONSTANT COMMUNICATION EMAILS.
I MEAN, IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT WOULD BE A LOT, BUT I THINK IT WOULD REALLY ADD TO THE PROFESSIONAL MODEL.
SO JUST, JUST THROWING THAT OUT THERE FOR ANYONE WHO'S, UM, WHO WOULD, UH, WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THAT.
AND THEN, YOU KNOW, ALSO ALSO EXPANDING THE MODEL TO, UM, TO SCHOOLS LIKE FRANKLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL THAT REALLY HAS A NEED FOR SOME OF THOSE YOUNGER CHILDREN TO HAVE THAT SAFE PASSAGE, UH, PROGRAM AS WELL.
UM, I THINK THAT IS THE REST OF THE DISCUSSION FROM THE DIET.
SO I WILL NOW, UM, OPEN IT UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
AT THIS TIME, IF THERE ARE ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM, PLEASE STAND AND FORM A LINE SO WE CAN DETERMINE HOW MANY SPEAKERS WE WILL BE PARTICIPATING.
ONCE THIS NUMBER IS ESTABLISHED, NO ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENT WILL BE HEARD.
AND AGAIN, THIS IS FOR, UM, ITEM TWO RELATED TO THE SAFE PASSAGE PROGRAM.
I THINK WE'RE UNDER 10, RIGHT? ALL RIGHT, SO WE'RE UNDER 10, SO EVERYBODY WILL GET THREE MINUTES.
UH, GOOD AFTERNOON, UM, COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND CHAIR AS WELL AS CITY STAFF.
THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.
UH, MY NAME IS CHRISTOPHER COVINGTON.
I AM THE CO-CHAIR FOR THE ADVANCING PEACE STEERING COMMITTEE.
UH, WE ARE A COMMITTEE MADE UP OF COMMUNITY ADVOCATES AS WELL AS ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE DEEPLY CONNECTED TO VIOLENCE PREVENTION.
UH, WE'RE HERE TO STRONGLY ADVOCATE FOR VIOLENCE PREVENTION FUNDING.
NOT ONLY PASSING THE MAYOR'S RECOMMENDATION, BUT ACTUALLY GOING PAST IT, UH, AND ASKING FOR A FULL $500,000 FOR SAFE PASSAGES.
[00:35:01]
FOR 500 MEETS THE NEED FOR NORTH NORTH LONG BEACH, BUT FROM THE PRESENTATION YOU CAN HEAR TODAY, IF WE DON'T GET ADDITIONAL FUNDINGS, THEN WE LOSE THE VOLUNTEER MODEL THAT'S CURRENTLY SERVING THIS, THE ORANGE CORRIDOR.UH, THAT'S A LOSS OF SUPPORT AND RESOURCES TO VIOLENCE PREVENTION IN THE CENTRAL LONG BEACH NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND MANY OF THESE INITIATIVES COMBINED WITH OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT ACTUALLY CREATED A REDUCTION IN VIOLENCE IN THE CITY.
SO IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE IF WE WANT TO CONTINUE ON THAT PATH TO REDUCING VIOLENCE TO THEN RECRUIT, UH, REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF SPENDING TOWARDS VIOLENCE PREVENTION INITIATIVES LIKE SAFE PASSAGES.
UH, SO AS A COMMITTEE AND AS A COMMUNITY, WE'RE ASKING FOR A FULL 500,000 SO THAT THE TEAM CAN WORK WITH THE SERVICE PROVIDERS TO HAVE THAT PROFESSIONAL VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY MODEL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SO THAT IT'S ALL HANDS ON DECK VERSUS POINTING THE FINGER OF LIKE, THIS IS YOUR PROBLEM.
UH, AND SO WE'RE ASKING FOR THE FULL $500,000 TO EXTEND THE PROGRAMS, UM, MEET THE NEEDS BECAUSE THE CURRENT COST FOR A PROFESSIONAL, UM, SAFE PASSAGE PROGRAM, IT'S ESTIMATED 300,000 IN THE CURRENT OF WHAT THE CITY IS PAYING, IS PAYING WEIGHT LESS THAN THAT, AROUND $200,000.
SO JUST IMAGINE IF WE PAID AT FULL RATE, UH, WHAT TYPE OF SUPPORT THAT WE COULD HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR CONSIDERATION, AND WE'RE OPEN TO ANY QUESTIONS, UH, FOLLOWING UP.
MY NAME IS PASTOR GERALD JOHNSON.
I PASTOR THE GREATER HARVEST CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST, LOCATED AT 1144 OLIVE AVENUE.
AND I STAND TO URGE YOU TO FIND THE REMAINING ONE POINT 54 MILLION NEEDED FOR THE VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT IN THE BUDGET OF 2026.
WE APPRECIATE THE MAYOR FOR INCLUDING MANY INVESTMENTS AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THAT'S BEEN PROPOSED IN FY 26 BUDGET.
THIS IS A GREAT START, BUT SEVERAL ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS REMAIN UNDERFUNDED, INCLUDING YEAR-ROUND ACTIVATION, SAFE PASSAGE, AND HEALING RESPONSE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
WHEN YOU SUPPORT EFFORTS LIKE THIS, OUR COMMUNITY FEELS IT REAL PEOPLE WITH REAL NEEDS EXPERIENCING REAL POSITIVE PROGRESSION FOR THEIR LIVES.
SO PLEASE PRIORITIZE YEAR ROUND FUNDING ACTIVATIONS, $600,000, SAVE COMMUNITY PASSAGE, $500,000 HEALING RESPONSE, $300,000, AND FUND THE REMAINING 1.4 MILLION TO PROTECT AND UPLIFT THE COMMUNITIES WHO NEED IT MOST.
WE ALSO ENCOURAGE THE CITY TO EXPLORE SUSTAINABLE FUNDING SOURCES, SUCH AS A TAX ON UNHEALTHY FOOD SODA TO PROTECT AND STRUCTURALLY FUND THIS WORK IN THE FUTURE.
THIS IS A CRITICAL OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT SAFETY, EQUITY, AND HEALING IN THE LONG BEACH COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND YOUR EFFORTS.
UM, I'M REPRESENTING THE SANE COMMITTEE THAT THEY'RE ON.
OH, I'M A LITTLE BIT FAR BACK.
THEY'RE ON, AND WE HAVE MEETINGS AND WE DISCUSS ALL THESE THINGS.
AND ROBERTA GAN MADE A STATEMENT ABOUT, ABOUT STEVENS AND CABRILLO.
UH, SAFE PASSAGE IS, IS WORKING IN A CAPACITY THAT IT IS ALLOWED TO WORK, BUT IT CAN DO, DO MORE.
UH, I'M IN THE COMMUNITY OF THE WEST SIDE.
I'M IN THE COMMUNITY OF CENTRAL, UH, LONG BEACH SIXTH DISTRICT, AND I'M ALWAYS HEARING THE CRY FROM THE PEOPLE, UH, ABOUT THESE PROGRAMS, THESE PASSAGES AND WHAT'S GOING ON.
IT DOESN'T, THESE STATS THAT WE SEE UP HERE, THAT'S FINE,
BUT WHEN YOU'RE LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY AND YOU'RE SEEING THE ACTUAL, THE GRAFFITI EVERY YEAR WHEN THE GRAFFITI STARTS ON THE WEST SIDE ON THE WALL, THAT'S BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS.
SO THAT MEANS THERE'S GONNA BE, UH, LITTLE BIT OF ACTIVITY BETWEEN THE GANGS, LITTLE BIT OF ACTIVITY BETWEEN THE GANG, GANG MEMBERS AND THE COMMUNITY.
BUT I'M ADVOCATING FOR IS THAT OBSERVATION 200 SOMETHING THOUSAND DOLLARS IS, IS A LOW BUDGET TO HELP SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NORTH LONG BEACH IS DOING A GREAT JOB.
'CAUSE ONE OF MY PARTNERS, UH, BILLY BILLY BROWN'S WORKING UP THERE AND HE COMES BACK AND HE'S
[00:40:01]
LATE EVERY DAY.WE, WE, WE STOP THIS, WE INTERACT WITH THE KIDS.
WELL, WE NEED THAT IN CENTRAL LONG BEACH.
WE NEED IT REALLY ON THE WEST SIDE BECAUSE THERE'S A CONFLICT BETWEEN TWO GROUPS THAT REALLY NEED TO UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER.
SO I THINK WE NEED, LIKE, LIKE YOU SAID, 1.4 MILLION TO GET THIS ON, ON THAT 200,000 FOR OUR SAFETY OF OUR KIDS.
AND MY NIECES AND NEPHEWS IN THE COMMUNITY IS A LOW BUDGET.
OUR THINK OUR FUTURE ARE THE KIDS.
I THINK WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT TAKING CARE OF OUR KIDS.
WE'RE WE'RE UNDER BUDGETING OUR SAFETY OF OUR KIDS AND OUR SENIORS WHO LIVE IN THE AREA.
'CAUSE OUR SENIORS DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE WALKING IN THE STREETS WHEN YOU HAVE VIOLENCE BETWEEN THE YOUTH.
SO, YOU KNOW, THEY CAN BE A, A STRAY BULLET COULD HIT 'EM, A FIGHT COULD COME OUT AND, AND SOME OF THE SENIORS HAVE FEAR.
SO I'M JUST ADVOCATING THAT WE REALLY LOOK AT THIS.
CLEARLY WE NEED TO SAVE OUR CITY FROM THE VIOLENCE THAT'S HAPPENING.
WE CAN SEE ALL THESE STATS, BUT I SEE IT EVERY DAY.
I SEE KIDS TALKING ABOUT THIS, THAT, BUT THEY DON'T COME TO YOU GUYS.
THEY DON'T COME TO CENTURY CHILD.
THEY DON'T COME TO NEIGHBOR PARKER.
THEY COME AND TALK TO COMMUNITY.
WE SIT AT THE TABLE AND TALK ABOUT IT.
S PARK, THE SAFETY OF OUR YOUTH.
SO I, I APPLAUD YOU FOR WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING HERE TODAY.
PLEASE GIVE A LITTLE BIT MORE FUNDING FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR YOUTH, ESPECIALLY BETWEEN STEVENS AND CABRILLO.
'CAUSE IT'S, IT'S, IT'S, IT'S, IT'S SOMETHING ELSE.
SO KIND OF LOOK AT THAT CLOSELY AND YOU'LL REALLY SEE WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.
'CAUSE YOU KNOW, WE GOT 20, 28 NITS COMING.
WE DON'T NEED NONE OF THIS CRAZY STUFF HAPPENING.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
MY NAME IS CINDY SAGUN AND I AM, UM, HERE ON BEHALF OF CENTRO CHA AND VICE MAYOR.
I DID WANNA TO BRING A BIT OF DATA FROM WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE WEST LONG BEACH OR SANTA FE CORRIDOR WITH THE SAFE PASSAGES.
AND WE DEFINITELY WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXTEND THE CONVERSATION IN A MEETING TO SHOW YOU, UM, THE DATA FROM SEPTEMBER, 2024 TO MAY, 2025.
UM, THIS IS THE WEST LONG BEACH SAFE PASSAGES PROGRAM OPERATED BY CENTRAL CHA.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LONG BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT PROVIDED CONSISTENT SAFETY OUTREACH SERVICES ACROSS STEVENS MIDDLE SCHOOL AND CABRILLO HIGH SCHOOL.
THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY CORRIDORS OVER THE NINE MONTH, UM, SCHOOL YEAR.
THE PROGRAM RECORDED 5,278 INTERACTIONS, INCLUDING 4,957 WITH STUDENTS AND MORE THAN 320 ENGAGEMENT WITH PARENTS, UM, SCHOOL STAFF, LOCAL BUSINESSES, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
AND THIS IS, UM, WHILE CONDUCTING SAFE PASSAGES, EITHER BEFORE THE SCHOOL OR AFTER SCHOOL, NOT ON CAMPUS, I WANNA SPECIFY THAT, UM, STEVENS, UM, MIDDLE SCHOOL RECORDED 1,916 STUDENT INTERACTIONS WITH A CONSISTENCY, HIGH LEVEL OF POSITIVE INTERACTIONS LAST YEAR AFTER SCHOOL, UM, DURING THE AFTER SCHOOL FOR STEVENS MIDDLE SCHOOL, WE DID NOT, UM, THERE WAS NO FIGHT OR PHYSICAL ALTERCATION RECORDED, WHICH WAS A HUGE SUCCESS COMPARED TO THE SPRING SEMESTER OF 2023, AND THEN IN, SORRY, CABRIO HIGH SCHOOL WITH 3000, UM, 3041 STUDENT INTERACTIONS BECAUSE THERE IS MORE OF A REQUIRED FREQUENT DEESCALATION AND BEHAVIOR BASED INTERVENTIONS, PARTICULARLY AROUND DISMISSAL TIME.
AND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, THE SAFE PASSAGE TEAM TEAM SERVED AS A STABILIZING PRESENCE, TERING UNSAFE BEHAVIOR, AND SUPPORTING YOUTH IN CRISIS WHILE BUILDING, UM, TRUSTED RELATIONSHIPS.
THROUGH THE DATA THAT WE WERE ABLE TO COMPILE LAST YEAR, AND THE TRANSPARENCY THAT WE HAVE ON A MONTHLY, MONTH TO MONTH BASIS.
DURING OUR ONE LONG BEACH MEETINGS, WE ACTUALLY TAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND HAVE INTEGRATED OUR PARTNERS LIKE THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER IN A RURAL HOUSE INTO WORKSHOPS AT CABRIO HIGH SCHOOL.
AND SO THIS YEAR, WITH THAT DATA AND WITH THE CONVERSATIONS WITH LONG BEACH UNIFIED, WE'RE ACTUALLY JUST FOCUSING AT CABRILLO HIGH SCHOOL, AND WE'RE GONNA HAVE A TEAM ON CAMPUS TO SUPPORT DEESCALATING THAT EFFORT.
UM, I JUST WANTED TO SPEAK ON THAT BECAUSE EFFORTS SUCH AS SAFE PASSAGES WITH CIS AND PROFESSIONALS WHO DO THE WORK, DO SAVE LIVES, AND THEY DO CREATE AN IMPACT.
AND I JUST WANNA SPEAK ON THE WEST LONG BEACH EFFORT BECAUSE, UM, THE DATA SHOWS, THE STORY SHOWS DOING A YEAR ROUND APPROACH, NOT JUST DURING THE ACADEMIC YEAR, BUT ACTIVATING ADMIRAL KID PARK, WHICH IS SOMETHING WE DID HIRING SOME OF THE STUDENTS FROM CABRILLO TO ACTIVATE THAT WORKS.
AND SO WE'RE HERE TO SAY THAT WE SUPPORT THE FUNDING, UM, THAT'S ALREADY BEEN ALLOCATED, BUT ALSO TO MEET THE GAP OF THE 500,000 FOR SAFE PASSAGES.
I'M G LAS JUAREZ, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ARTS COUNCIL FOR LONG BEACH.
AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY PROGRAMS THAT KEEP OUR CITY SAFE, CONNECTED, AND THRIVING.
PROGRAMS LIKE YEAR-ROUND ACTIVATIONS, SAFE PASSAGES AND HEALING
[00:45:01]
RESPONSE ARE ESSENTIAL TO A HEALTHY LONG BEACH.BUT THESE PROGRAMS ALSO CREATE SAFE, WELCOMING ENVIRONMENTS WHERE THE ARTS AND CULTURE CAN FLOURISH.
OUR PARTICULAR INVOLVEMENT IS IN WASHINGTON NEIGHBORHOOD WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY AND, UM, THEIR, UH, PARTICIPATION, UM, ENGAGEMENT WITH SAFE PASSAGES AND WITH THEIR PARENTS, WITH VOLUNTEERS HAVE DIRECTLY IMPACTED OUR WORK AND HAVE CREATED SAFE, UM, NEIGHBORHOODS FOR US TO CREATE OVER 10 MURALS IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.
THEIR CONNECTION TO THEIR COMMUNITY AND TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE AIDED IN CREATING, UM, TWO BASKETBALL MURALS, UM, BASKETBALL COURT MURALS AND AN AWARD-WINNING INTERSECTION, UM, WITH FOUR MURALS AND, UH, TRAFFIC CALMING AC ENHANCEMENTS.
IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT, UM, THE PARTICIPATION OF SAFE PASSAGES AND HABITATS AND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY AND THE CITY'S INVESTMENT, UM, IN THE WASHINGTON NEIGHBORHOOD.
AS YOU CAN SEE, UM, THESE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE SAFE, FAMILIES FEEL SUPPORTED, AND ARE ABLE TO, UM, PARTICIPATE.
YOUNG PEOPLE ARE ENGAGED THROUGH THESE ACTIVATIONS AND THE ARTS.
AND THE ARTS CAN BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER, AMPLIFYING THEIR VOICES AND THEIR NEEDS, AND BUILDING THEIR OWN CIVIC PRIDE.
WE ENCOURAGE THE COUNCIL TO PRIORITIZE THESE PROGRAMS IN THE FY 26 BUDGET, THESE INVESTMENTS IN SAFETY, EQUITY, AND HEALING DIRECTLY ST STRENGTHEN LONG BEACH'S CULTURAL LIFE AND CREATIVE ECONOMY.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND CONTINUING SUPPORT TO BUILD A STRONGER, MORE VIBRANT CITY FOR ALL.
NEXT, UH, NEXT COUPLE OF COMMENTER.
MY NAME IS RUDY CARDOSO PERZA HERE REPRESENTING DAYS LONG BEACH.
AND I'M HERE TO URGE YOU TO FULLY FUND THE REMAINING 1.5, ONE POINT $54 MILLION FOR VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET.
WE APPRECIATE THE INVESTMENTS ALREADY INCLUDED IN THE MAYOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET, BUT THE ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS LIKE THE YEAR-ROUND ACTIVATION, SAFE PASSAGE, AND HEALING RESPONSE REMAIN UNDERFUNDED.
THESE ARE PROVEN RESOURCES THAT KEEP YOUTH SAFE, STRENGTHEN FAMILIES, AND SUPPORT COMMUNITY HEALING AT THE ORANGE CORRIDOR.
OUR TRUSTED COMMUNITY OF VOLUNTEERS HAVE SHARED STORIES OF GRATITUDE FROM FAMILIES AND ASSIST STUDENTS DAILY IN GETTING TO AND FROM SCHOOL SAFELY.
INSTEAD OF FACING DANGEROUS STREETS ALONE.
WE WERE WELL UNDERWAY, GETTING BUILDING, YOU KNOW, WE WERE WELL UNDERWAY.
BUILDING COMMUNITY TRUST AT LINCOLN FRANKLIN AND THESE AND WHITTIER SCHOOLS.
AND THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS OF SAFE PASSAGE, OTHER SCHOOLS LIKE STEVENSON AND EDISON, UM, YOU KNOW, THEY'VE NOTICED WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING.
UH, YOU KNOW, PARENTS ARE STARTING TO GET INVOLVED.
THEY'RE STARTING TO REALLY TAKE NOTICE THAT IT TAKES THEMSELVES TO SPEAK OUT, ADVOCATE, GET INVOLVED, UH, MAKE THEIR SCHOOLS BETTER, MAKE THEIR CHILDREN'S LIFE, UH, A LITTLE BIT MORE TOLERABLE GETTING THE SCHOOL BECAUSE IT'S, IT'S HECTIC OUT HERE.
UM, EVEN I'M, WHEN I'M WALKING AROUND MACARTHUR PARK, THAT'S WHERE I LIVE IN THAT AREA.
UH, YOU KNOW, RIGHT CLOSE TO LINCOLN AND WHITTIER, IT'S NOT THE SAFEST.
SO IMAGINE BEING AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL KID.
UM, THIS, THIS WORK NEEDS TO CONTINUE.
UH, I FEEL VOLUNTEERS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR A COMMUNITY TO CONTINUE TO THRIVE AND BE SAFE.
SO I'M ASKING, UH, FOR, FOR YOU GUYS TO PRIORITIZE THE REMAINING ONE POINT $54 MILLION, UM, $600,000 FOR YEAR-ROUND ACTIVATIONS, $500,000 FOR SAFE PASSAGE, AND $300,000 FOR THE HEALING RESPONSE.
UH, THIS IS THE CRITICAL RE UH, CRITICAL CHANCE TO ADVANCE SAFETY AND EQUITY IN LONG BEACH.
SO I'M HOPING, UM, WE CAN GET THOSE FUNDS GOING.
AND THEN FOR THE ADDITIONAL, ARE YOU, IT'S BOTH FROM DAYS LONG BEACH, I BELIEVE? YES.
YEAH, JUST AS A REMINDER, I'M GONNA LET YOU SPEAK, BUT JUST AS A REMINDER, WE ASK THAT EVERYBODY LINE UP WHEN WE DO THE INITIAL CALL FOR PUBLIC SPEAKERS.
AND THAT'S JUST BECAUSE IF WE END UP HAVING OVER 10 LIKE WE HAVE NOW, UH, WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO GET ALL THE PUBLIC SPEAKERS AND ALL GET THE PRESENTERS.
SO JUST A REMINDER TO EVERYONE TO PLEASE LINE UP SO WE KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE PART OF PUBLIC COMMENT SO WE CAN PLAN ACCORDINGLY.
HI, MY NAME IS ELIZABETH TORRES AND I'M BEHALF OF DAYS LONG BEACH.
I'M HERE TO SHARE THE IMPACTS THAT WE'VE HAD WITH SAFE PASSAGE.
SO WORKING CLOSELY WITH, UH, THE SCHOOLS OVER THE LAST YEAR, WE WERE ABLE TO COMPLETE, OR OUR VOLUNTEERS WERE ABLE TO COMPLETE 263 SHIFTS WITH OVER 186 HOURS OF THE COMMUNITY PRESENCE.
UM, THESE WEREN'T JUST REMINDERS THAT IT'S SAFE TO CROSS THE STREETS, BUT THERE ARE CONVERSATION MOMENTS OF TRUST AND RELATIONSHIPS THAT SHOWED OUR YOUNG PEOPLE THAT THEIR COMMUNITY CARES ABOUT THEM.
SO BEYOND THE DAILY PRESENCE, SAFE PASSAGE HAS PARTNERED WITH FRANKLIN LINCOLN AND WHITTIER TO HOST 35 COMMUNITY EVENTS.
AND THAT CAN GO BY WELLNESS ACTIVITIES OR RETREAT ISH EVENTS AFTER SCHOOL EVENTS.
[00:50:01]
UM, AND THESE EVENTS NOT ONLY ENGAGE THE STUDENTS, BUT ALSO BUILD BRIDGES WITH FAMILIES, HELPING THEM FEEL MORE CONNECTED TO THEIR SCHOOLS AND NEIGHBORHOODS.UM, AND ON TOP OF THAT, WE WOULD DO NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUPS.
SO, UM, MONTH TO MONTH WE WOULD HAVE OUR VOLUNTEERS, STUDENTS PARENTS COME TOGETHER TO CLEAN THE SIDEWALKS, THE STREETS NEAR THE SCHOOLS.
AND MANY WILL SEEM LIKE A SMALL ACT OF SERVICE, BUT IT'S ACTUALLY HELPED OUR NEIGHBORS CONNECT WITH EACH OTHER AND HAS OPENED DEEPER CONVERSATIONS AND STRENGTHENED TRUST BETWEEN COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND ORGANIZATIONS.
THIS PROGRAM HAS ALSO RESPONDED DIRECTLY TO COMMUNITY CONCERNS.
WHEN PARENTS RAISE ISSUES OF PEDESTRIAN AND SAFETY, UM, TRAFFIC SAFETY, UM, WE HAVE WORKED WITH THE SCHOOLS AND TO CREATE THESE NEW DROP OFF ZONES AND ADVOCATE FOR SAFER INFRASTRUCTURE.
UM, AND SO THANKS TO THE, THE TRUST THAT WE HAVE BUILT, UM, WE'VE ALSO HAVE SAT ON THE FRANKLIN, UH, MIDDLE SCHOOL'S, UH, SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL, AND THAT HELPS US LIKE ENSURE THE COMMUNITY'S VOICES ARE A PART OF THE DECISIONS AND THE IMPACT OF THE SCHOOL.
AND LASTLY, UM, ONE THING THAT WE WERE ABLE TO DO THIS YEAR WAS WE WERE ABLE TO HELP THE PTO PARENTS START THEIR OWN SAFE PASSAGE USING THEIR VOLUNTEER, USING THE VOLUNTEER MODEL.
AND SO TODAY WE JUST, UM, CALL TO PRIORITIZE THE YEAR ROUND ACTIVATIONS AND THE 1.5, 1.5 MILLION, UM, TO PROTECT AND UPLIFT OUR COMMUNITIES.
UM, MY NAME IS LISA RE, UM, NOT ALSO A VOLUNTEER FOR DAYS LONG BEACH, BUT I AM ALSO A PARENT.
UM, I AM IN THE PTO FOR STEVENSON ELEMENTARY.
THAT'S WHERE WE STARTED OUR OWN SAFE PASSAGE PROGRAM FOR NEW DROP OFF AND, UM, BLOCKING OFF THE STREET.
UM, WE DO HAVE OUR SCHOOL ON A BUSY INTERSECTION, WHICH IS ON SIXTH STREET AND ATLANTIC, AND THOSE INTERSECTIONS SEEMED TO GET REALLY BUSY.
UM, CARS ARE FLYING THROUGH THERE.
UM, SO WE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND DAYS LONG BEACH WAS ABLE TO HELP US START OUR OWN DROP OFF ZONE, AND THEY PROVIDED WALKIES, CONES, UM, YOU KNOW, STUFF THAT WE NEEDED THAT WAS NECESSARY FOR THIS DROP OFF.
AND, UM, THE COMMUNITY HAS SEEN THAT IT'S BEEN A LOT LESS HECTIC, LESS HONKING IN THE MORNING IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL.
AND, UM, EVEN FRANKLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL, UM, HAS SEEN THAT OUR SAFE PASSAGE PROGRAM THROUGH OUR SCHOOL HAS HELPED THEIR KIDS COMMUTE TO THEIR OWN MIDDLE SCHOOL.
UM, SO I WOULD JUST SAY THAT THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT PROGRAM.
UM, WE'RE STARTING TO, UM, HOPEFULLY BY THE 15 DO OUR OWN SAFE PASSAGE, RELAUNCH IT AGAIN.
UM, BUT A LOT OF PARENTS HAVE SEEN A VERY POSITIVE IMPACT BECAUSE WE DO HAVE ALSO PROBLEMS IN THAT AREA WITH THE HOMELESSNESS AND, YOU KNOW, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.
AND SO WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO KEEP OUR, OUR STUDENTS SAFE.
UM, SO IF WE COULD PLEASE HAVE THE FUNDING THAT'S NECESSARY TO KEEP THE PROGRAM GOING, I WOULD VERY APPRECIATE IT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYBODY WHO CAME OUT TO DO PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM.
UM, WITH THAT, WE CAN TAKE A VOTE TO RECEIVE AND FILE.
NEXT ITEM IS A RECOMMENDATION TO RECEIVE AND FILE AN UPDATE FROM THE COMMUNITY CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM.
[3. 25-56285 Recommendation to receive and file an update from the Community Crisis Response Team. Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]
THANK YOU.I SEE WE HAVE THE FIRST AND THE SECOND, AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE ANOTHER WONDERFUL PRESENTATION FROM OUR FANTASTIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
HELLO AGAIN, MY NAME IS ERICA VALENCIA DCI.
I'M THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND HERE TODAY TO PRESENT ON THE COMMUNITY CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM, ALSO KNOWN AS CCR IS CHRISTINA BOATWRIGHT.
SHE'S THE ACTING COLLECTIVE IMPACT BUREAU MANAGER AND RESOURCE CONNECTION DIVISION OFFICER, PLAYING DUAL ROLES, DUAL ROLES AT THE MOMENT, AND ALSO ANTHONY MONTALVO.
HE'S OUR CRISIS, UH, COMMUNITY CRISIS RESPONSE PROGRAM MANAGER.
UM, I'D LIKE TO ALSO UPLIFT THE FACT THAT WE HAVE OUR CCR TEAM HERE IN THE AUDIENCE.
AND SO THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING TODAY.
WE HAVE A VIDEO THAT WE'D LIKE TO SHOW YOU.
UM, I REALLY HOPE IT WORKS, SO I'LL CLICK OVER IN JUST A SECOND.
BUT AS YOU MAY KNOW, CCR IS A HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S TEAM THAT RESPONDS TO A SUBSET OF 9 1 1 CALLS FOR SERVICE WHERE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, HEALTH EDUCATION, AND RESOURCE NAVIGATION COULD SUPPORT THE SAFETY IN HEALTH OUTCOMES OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS AT THE CENTER OF CALLS.
BEFORE WE BEGIN, I'M GONNA SHOW YOU THIS VIDEO.
UM, THIS VIDEO HAS ALSO BEEN SHARED ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS AS WELL WITH, UM, VARIOUS TEAMS ACROSS THE CITY IN LONG BEACH, ENSURING THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY IS OUR TOP PRIORITY.
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INTRODUCING THE COMMUNITY CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM.THE COMMUNITY CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM, ALSO CALLED CCR, IS A SPECIALIZED NON-LAW ENFORCEMENT TEAM WHO RESPONDS TO NON-MEDICAL, NON-VIOLENT 9 1 1 CALLS FOR SERVICE, A FOCUS ON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES.
THE FIELD TEAM IS STAFFED WITH A CRISIS INTERVENTION SPECIALIST, A PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, AND A PEER NAVIGATOR.
THE TEAM SUPERVISOR AND PROGRAM MANAGER CAN ALSO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND CONSULTATION TO THE TEAM AS NEEDS ARISE.
THE CCR TEAM HELPS BY PROVIDING CRISIS INTERVENTION SUPPORT AND REFERRALS TO SERVICES.
THEY HELP DEESCALATE SITUATIONS AND CAN ASSESS A PERSON FOR RISK OF SUICIDE IF NEEDED, CONNECTING PEOPLE TO INTERVENTION PROGRAMS AS NEEDED.
THE TEAM ALSO PROVIDES HEALTH EDUCATION AND THE TEAM'S VEHICLE IS STOCKED WITH ITEMS FOR BASIC NEEDS LIKE HYGIENE PRODUCTS, CLOTHING, AND FOOD.
WHILE MAJOR INJURIES REQUIRE EMT SERVICES, THE CCR TEAM CAN PROVIDE SOME FIRST AID.
THEY EVEN PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO THE MULTI-SERVICE CENTER, WHICH PROVIDES SUPPORT TO PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, SHELTERS AND OTHER FACILITIES.
THE CCR TEAM RECEIVES CALLS FROM DISPATCH CONFIRMS DETAILS OF THE CALL, INCLUDING CALL CODE, COMMUNITY MEMBER NAME, ANY CONTACT INFORMATION, LOCATION, AND OTHER PERTINENT DETAILS TO THE CALL.
ONCE THE CALL IS CONFIRMED ELIGIBLE, THE TEAM HEADS TO THE LOCATION.
ON ARRIVAL, THE TEAM UNPACKS SUPPLIES AND SEARCHES THE AREA.
ONCE THE INDIVIDUAL IS FOUND, THE TEAM INTRODUCES THEMSELVES AND EXPLAINS THE PURPOSE FOR THE VISIT.
DEPENDING ON THE CALL TYPE AND THE WILLINGNESS OF THE INDIVIDUAL, WE MAY MOVE DIRECTLY TO AN ASSESSMENT, OR WE MAY GATHER MORE INFORMATION AT THE START OF THE CONVERSATION.
WE'RE PROUD TO BE PART OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH'S EFFORT TO IMPROVE OVERALL COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY, AND ASSIST RESIDENTS IN CONNECTING TO PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE COMMUNITY CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM'S, HEALTH BASED APPROACH TO COMMUNITY SAFETY, VISIT LONG BEACH.GOV/CCR.
HI, BEFORE I BEGIN, I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK YLI LUNA IBARRA, WHO PLAYED OUR COMMUNITY MEMBER IN THE LAST VIDEO.
HE, THEY ARE ONE OF OUR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS, AND WE ARE REALLY HAPPY THAT HE SAID YES TO BEING IN THAT VIDEO.
SO FOR FY 26, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS REQUESTED $374,772 IN ONE-TIME, GENERAL FUND ALLOCATION, WHICH WILL ALLOW CCR TO REMAIN IN OPERATION FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
SINCE LAUNCH IN JULY, 2023, THE COMMUNITY CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM HAS RESPONDED TO OVER 960 CALLS FOR SERVICE, PROVIDING A C COMPASSIONATE HEALTH-BASED ALTERNATIVE FOR TRADITIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSES FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES.
INITIALLY SERVING THE WEST DIVISION, THE PROGRAM EXPANDED TO SOUTH IN JANUARY, 2024 AND BEGAN ANSWERING CALLS COVERING EAST NORTH, SOUTH, AND WEST DIVISIONS IN JULY, 2025.
THE CURRENT TEAM INCLUDES A CRISIS INTERVENTION SPECIALIST, A PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, AND A PEER SUPPORT NAVIGATOR OFFERING AN INTERDISCIPLINARY TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACH TO CRISIS CARE.
WITH STRONG ON-SCENE RESOLUTION RATES, HALF OF ALL CALLS ARE RESOLVED WITHOUT FURTHER INTERVENTION.
ONLY ABOUT 6% REQUIRING AN UPGRADE OF, UH, TO POLICE OR FIRE CCR IS SU SUCCESSFULLY REDUCING UNNECESSARY LAW ENFORCEMENT INVOLVEMENT WHILE CONNECTING INDIVIDUALS TO RESOURCES LIKE HOUSING, MENTAL HEALTH CARE, AND BASIC NEEDS SUPPORT.
CCR IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF THE CITY'S RACIAL RACIAL EQUITY AND RECONCILIATION INITIATIVE AS IT PRIORITIZES RACIAL AND HEALTH EQUITY AND ENSURES SERVICES ARE TRAUMA-INFORMED, CULTURALLY AFFIRMING AND RESPONSIVE.
CCR IS ALSO INCLUDED IN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S STRATEGIC VISION AND THE CITY'S 2030 VISION.
THIS PROGRAM BEGAN ITS DESIGN IN 20 21, 1 YEAR BEFORE IT MOVED INTO MY DIVISION.
CCR WAS ORIGINALLY FUNDED THROUGH ONETIME LBRA ALLOCATION, TOTALING 2,028,575 FOR FY 24, I'M SORRY, FY 23 AND FY 24.
THE PROGRAM WAS INITIALLY PLANNED TO BE CONTRACTED OUT, BUT WAS REDESIGNED TO BE HOUSED INTERNALLY TO MAINTAIN ALIGNMENT WITH PROP L.
THIS CHANGE REQUIRED ADDITIONAL STAFFING, WHICH WAS COVERED WITHIN THE LBRA LOCATION.
AN FY 25 CCRS BUDGET INCLUDED $884,133 IN ROLLOVER FROM THE ORIGINAL L-O-B-R-A ALLOCATION PLUS A ONE-TIME GENERAL FUND.
UM, THAT COVERED, UH, DECEMBER THROUGH, UH, OCTOBER THROUGH DECEMBER.
THE ROLLOVER REFLECTS FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD TO, I'M SORRY, THE ROLLOVER REFLECTS FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD DURING THE STARTUP PHASE, WHICH WERE DELAYED IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS AS THE PROGRAM SHIFTED IN-HOUSE AT THE END OF 2025.
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CCR WAS AWARDED TWO YEARS OF STATE FUNDING THROUGH THE BOARD OF STATE AND COMMUNITY, UH, CORRECTIONS BURN STATE CRISIS INTERVENTION PROGRAM GRANT, WHICH WE WILL REFER TO AS BSCC.THIS GRANT COVERS ABOUT 40% OF ANNUAL PROGRAM COSTS, JUST UNDER 500,000 PER YEAR.
THIS GRANTS INDIRECT COSTS ARE MAG MAXIMIZED RESULTING IN NO IMPACT TO THE HEALTH FUND.
THIS FUNDING DOES END SEPTEMBER, 2026 AND FY 26.
THE PROGRAM TOTAL FOR CCR OPERATIONS IS $1,185,046 TO SUSTAIN CCR AND FY 26.
THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS THUS REQUESTED THE 374,772 AND THE ONE TIME GENERAL FUND ALLOCATION, WHICH WILL ALLOW FOR CCR TO REMAIN IN OPERATION.
THE REMAINING CCR BUDGET, UH, FOR FY 26 WILL BE MET THROUGH AN ALLOCATION IN THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, MEASURE A FUNDS AND THE REMAINING BSCC FUNDS.
WITHOUT THE SUPPORT IN THE GENERAL FUND, CCR WOULD HAVE TO SUNSET AFTER SHOWING TREMENDOUS GROWTH WITHIN ITS CITYWIDE RESPONSE.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT TO SUPPORT THE GOALS OF THIS PROGRAM AND ENSURE THAT THE PROGRAM IS REACHING POSITIVE HEALTH BENEFITS FOR THE COMMUNITY.
THE CCR R PROGRAM COLLECTS VARIOUS PIECES OF DATA.
UH, THE FULL DATA DASHBOARD IS AVAILABLE@LONGBEACH.GOV SLASH CCR.
UH, WE ARE GONNA BE SHOWING A SNAPSHOT OF THAT DATA TODAY.
UH, THE DATA PRESENTED HERE IS UP TO DATE, UH, AS OF JULY 11TH, UM, THOUGH I DO HAVE FIGURES THAT ARE UP TO DATE AS OF TODAY.
UM, SO WE WILL, UH, NOTE THAT WHEN THEY ARE UPDATED.
UM, BUT JUST FOR EVERYONE'S CLARIFICATION, THESE NUMBERS ARE SMALLER THAN THEY ARE OF TODAY.
UH, SINCE JULY OF 2023, THE TEAM HAS RESPONDED TO NOW 960 CALLS FOR SERVICE AND SUPPORTED NOW 1052 COMMUNITY MEMBERS UP FROM THE NUMBERS PRESENTED UP HERE, WHICH ARE 6 780 AND 863.
RESPECTIVE TOTAL CALL VOLUME HAS BEEN BROKEN DOWN BY FISCAL YEAR IN THE LINE GRAPH.
SO Q4 IS AN ESTIMATION BASED ON CURRENT CALL VOLUME.
CCRS CALL VOLUME HAS GROWN EVERY FISCAL YEAR THAT IT HAS BEEN IN SERVICE.
IT'S ESTIMATED THAT FY 26 WILL SEE THE LARGEST GROWTH TO DATE.
IT'S ESTIMATED THAT THEY WILL RESPOND TO ALMOST 1500 CALLS FOR SERVICE IN FY 26 ALONE, WHICH IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ADDING POTENTIALLY ANOTHER TEAM ON SCENE TIMES AVERAGE 24 MINUTES.
THAT'S THE TIME THAT THE TEAM RESPONDS IN THE FIELD WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
THIS IS ON PAR WITH BENCHMARKS NATIONALLY.
OUR RESPONSE TIME IS FASTER THAN THAT BENCHMARK FOR A CR, UH, ABOUT 30 MINUTES FROM DISPATCH TO CALL ARRIVAL.
UH, THIS MAY CHANGE NEXT YEAR AS CCR IS NOW RESPONDING TO CALLS THROUGHOUT ALL OF LONG BEACH.
UH, SINCE 20 JULY, 20 23, 20 5% OF ALL CALLS HAVE BEEN IN THE WEST DIVISION AND 65% IN THE SOUTH DIVISION.
THE REMAINING 10% REPRESENT CALLS THAT DON'T FIT NEATLY INTO THESE SERVICE AREAS AND ARE TYPICALLY SELF DISPATCH CALLS AT CITY SITES LIKE LIBRARIES, HEALTH CENTERS, AND OTHER PARTNERED PROGRAM LOCATIONS ACROSS THE CITY.
OF THE 1052 COMMUNITY MEMBERS SERVED, UM, APPROXIMATELY 47% IDENTIFY AS BLACK GRAPHIC AND AMERICAN 16% AS LATINO, HISPANIC, 32% AS WHITE, AND 5% AS ASIAN MULTICULTURAL AND OTHER ETHNIC, UH, GROUPS IN LONG BEACH.
THE BIGGEST TECH TAKEAWAYS THAT THE BLACK COMMUNITY MEMBERS, UH, THAT WE SERVE ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY REPRESENTED IN OUR CALL VOLUME.
UM, THEY ACCOUNT FOR NEARLY HALF OF ALL CALLS DESPITE MAKING UP ABOUT 12% OF THE TOTAL, TOTAL POPULATION IN THESE SERVICE AREAS, WHICH UNDERSCORES THE NEED FOR CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE CRISIS INTERVENTION AND SUPPORTS TARGETED OUTREACH.
NEXT SLIDE ON THIS, UH, ON THIS SLIDE, WELLNESS CHECKS ACCOUNT FOR ABOUT 47% OF ALL CCR CALLS.
MANY OF THESE FALL INTO THE WELLNESS CHECK CATEGORY BECAUSE THEY INVOLVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, GENERAL HEALTH CONCERNS, OR EVEN HOUSING RELATED CRISES.
ALTHOUGH ONLY 7% OF CALLS ARE EXPLICITLY LABELED AS MENTAL HEALTH, UH, THOSE TEND TO BE THE MORE SEVERE OR WELL-DEFINED CASES.
UH, THOSE ARE WHEN CALLERS, UH, CAN'T ARTICULATE SPECIFICS.
UM, THOSE CALLS THAT AREN'T ABLE TO BE ARTICULATED ARE CLASSIFIED UNDER WELLNESS CHECK BECAUSE THAT PROVIDES THE NECESSARY FLEXIBILITY UNTIL OUR TEAM CAN ASSESS THE NEEDS ON THE SCENE.
A MAJORITY OF THE CALLS THAT THE TEAM RESPONDS ARE WELLNESS AND HEALTH SLASH MENTAL HEALTH RELATED, AND SOME OF THE MOST FREQUENTLY UTILIZED RESOURCES AND REFERRALS ARE RELATED TO BASIC SURVIVAL AND TO HOUSING NEEDS.
NEARLY HALF OF ALL REFERRALS ARE TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR WHO ARE AT IMMINENT RISK OF EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
CCR HAS SHOWN THAT THE TEAM WAS ABLE TO RESOLVE NEARLY 60% OF DISPATCH CALLS ON THE SCENE.
ONE, UH, RESOLVED ON SCENE IN THIS CAPACITY MEANS THAT THE COMMUNITY MEMBER AT THE CENTER OF THE CALL FOR SERVICE IS ABLE TO HAVE THEIR NEEDS RELATED TO
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THAT CRISIS MET THROUGH TEAM ACTIONS ALONE.UM, THIS CAN INCLUDE ACTIVE RESOURCING, DIRECT REFERRALS, UM, DIRECT, DIRECT HEALTH SERVICE AT THAT SITE.
AN ADDITIONAL 12% OF CALLS ARE RESOLVED THROUGH A COMBINATION OF TRANSPORTATION TO SERVICES OR FOLLOW UP BY THE CCR TEAM ON A SUBSEQUENT DAY.
IN FULL TRANSPARENCY, NEARLY 19% OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS AT THE CENTER OF CALLS FOR SERVICE REFUSE SUPPORT FROM THE CCR TEAM.
THE MAIN REASON FOR WHICH IS THAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE OFTEN NOT THE PEOPLE CALLING, UH, FOR SERVICE, UH, AND DON'T ALWAYS WISH TO ENGAGE IN THOSE SERVICES.
LASTLY, ONLY 6% OF CALLS ARE UPGRADED TO PUBLIC SAFETY UNITS, 4% OF WHICH ARE ESCALATIONS TO PARAMEDICS DUE TO THE ASSESSMENT OF A POTENTIAL HEALTH RISK OR EMERGENCY.
UH, AND ONLY 2% OF CALLS REQUIRE BEING UPGRADED TO POLICE.
THE NEED TO UPGRADE A CALL HAS DECREASED 3% FROM YEAR ONE TO YEAR TWO.
UH, ALSO SINCE PROGRAMS START, FOOD, WATER, AND CLOTHING HAVE CONSISTENTLY BEEN THE MOST REQUESTED AND DISTRIBUTED ITEMS DURING CALLS AT 46 30 AND 14% RESPECTIVELY.
THIS REFLECTS, ONE, THE PREVALENCE OF HOMELESSNESS DRIVEN CRISIS AMONG OUR SERVICE POPULATION.
AND TWO, THE FACT THAT IMMEDIATE TANGIBLE SUPPORT IS ESSENTIAL FOR BUILDING TRUST, ESPECIALLY A SEASONAL AND WEATHER CHANGES MAKE THOSE BASIC NEEDS EVEN MORE CRITICAL.
ON THE SCREEN IN FRONT OF YOU, YOU'LL SEE, UH, SOME STORIES, UH, THAT WE'VE PROVIDED FROM THE FIELD.
I WANT TO SHARE THESE STORIES FROM SUCCESSFUL INTERACTIONS AND SOME FEEDBACK THAT WE HEAR FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS, UM, JUST IN GENERAL TODAY.
I WON'T READ THEM ALL, BUT THESE COMMENTS REPRESENT A SLIVER OF WHAT IS HEARD IN THE FIELD.
HOWEVER, THEY ARE A DECENT SNAPSHOT INTO THE IMPACT THE TEAM MAKES FOR INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMMUNITY.
UH, CCR RESPONDED TO A YOUNG MAN WITH SUICIDAL IDEATION, ALCOHOL USE PREVIOUSLY, PREVIOUSLY ASSESSED BY FIRE IS NOT NEEDING TRANSPORT.
THE TEAM DISCOVERED HIS APARTMENT WAS NEARLY EMPTY AND HELPED HIM RECONNECT WITH THE TREATMENT CENTER.
AFTER LEARNING, HE LACKED A PHONE.
THEY WALKED HIM TO OBTAIN ONE ENSURING HE COULD BE REACHED FOR TREATMENT FOR A TREATMENT BED.
THIS FOLLOW UP MARKED THE TURNING POINT.
NO FURTHER CRISIS CALLS HAD BEEN MADE TO THEM SINCE.
OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR, CCR RESPONDED MULTIPLE TIMES TO THE SAME INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND SYMPTOMS OF PSYCHOSIS RELATED TO CHRONIC METH USE.
THE TEAM BUILT TRUST RECOGNIZED HIS WORSENING CONDITION AND ULTIMATELY FILED A CARE COURT PETITION MADE POSSIBLE BY HAVING A LICENSED CLINIC CLINICAL SUPERVISOR.
THIS INTERVENTION CONNECTED HIM AND ALL WITH LONGER TERM CARE THAT POLICE ALONE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO, UH, INITIATE.
AND THERE ARE ADDITIONAL QUOTES ON HERE, AND I DO, UH, ASK THAT IF YOU'RE INTERESTED TO PLEASE READ ALONG.
UM, BUT FOR THE SAKE OF TIME, UM, THAT IS THAT MUCH.
YEAH, NO, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR, FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
UM, AND I'LL OPEN IT UP TO, UM, MY COMMITTEE MEMBERS, MY COLLEAGUES, COUNCILWOMAN ALLEN.
UM, I JUST, UH, FIRST, UM, WANNA SAY THANK YOU FOR, UH, POINTING OUT ALL THE GREAT THINGS, UH, THAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING IN THE COMMUNITY CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM.
AND, UM, I'M DEFINITELY GLAD TO SEE, UH, THIS IS INCLUDED IN THE FY 26, UM, BUDGET, ESPECIALLY AS WE KNOW THE, UM, THE HARDSHIPS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
UM, I THINK THAT YOU SPOKE TO THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PROGRAM VERY WELL, SO THANK YOU FOR ALL THE DETAIL.
UM, I, I, UH, WHEN YOU LOOK AT, UM, WHAT YOU GUYS WERE ABLE TO DEESCALATE AND ONLY 6% GOING TO PD, I MEAN, THAT'S REALLY SIGNIFICANT AND IT DOES SPEAK TO THE POWER AND THE PROFESSIONALISM AND, AND ALL OF THE, ALL THE ABOVE.
UM, HOW GREAT YOUR TEAM IS AND HOW YOU GUYS ARE ABLE TO REALLY HELP A LOT OF FOLKS.
UM, I KNOW, YOU KNOW, FROM YOUR PRESENTATION, WE CAN SEE HOW EFFECTIVE THE PROGRAM IS, AND, UM, AND I REALLY, UH, I I TOTALLY SUPPORT THE DATA WHERE YOU'RE IDENTIFYING, UM, THE AREAS THAT ARE MOST IN NEED THROUGH TARGETED RESEARCH.
BECAUSE I MEAN, I'D LIKE TO SAY, YEAH, WE LIKE TO SEE YOU, YOU KNOW, MORE IN THESE DIFFERENT AREAS, BUT I THINK YOU'VE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB AT EXPLAINING YOU'RE IN CERTAIN AREAS FOR A REASON, AND I SUPPORT THAT DATA AND I SUPPORT WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING.
MY, MY ONLY QUESTION IS, IS, UM, THE 10 TO FIVE, YOU KNOW, I CALL THOSE LIKE THE BANKER HOURS, RIGHT? SO IF YOU GO TO PAGE EIGHT, OR SORRY, PAGE SIX, AND YOU LOOK AT YOUR RESOURCES GIVEN ON SCENE, WHICH IS FOOD, WATER, HARM, REDUCTION, AND CLOTHING.
SO MY QUESTION IS GONNA BE, THANK YOU.
MY QUESTION IS GONNA BE LIKE, WHAT CAN WE DO TO EXPAND THESE SERVICES AFTER HOURS? BECAUSE I KNOW MY, ME AS A RETIRED POLICE OFFICER, UM, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE SO MUCH NEED, UM, AFTER NIGHTTIME HOURS, THAT'S WHEN WE GET THE MOST CALLS AND, AND, YOU KNOW, THERE'S ALWAYS RESOURCES DURING THE DAY OR MORE RESOURCES DURING THE DAY THAN THERE IS AFTER.
SO WHAT IS THE, WHAT IS THE PLAN TO EXPAND THAT TO A TIME THAT MAYBE, UM, AND MAYBE THERE, MAYBE THERE'S NOT A NEED.
IT'S HARD FOR ME TO BELIEVE THERE'S NOT A NEED AFTER HOURS,
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BECAUSE I'LL TRUST YOU AND YOUR DATA, BUT, UM, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THERE WOULD BE A NEED TO DO IT THERE AS WELL.UH, AND THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.
I ALSO JUST WANNA REITERATE THAT OUR TEAM IS OUT THERE.
THANK YOU FOR DO, YOU'RE THE ONES DOING ALL THE HARD WORK.
UH, THEY'RE IN THE LIGHT BLUE, UH, SHIRTS IN THE BACK.
UH, SO THAT'S OUR RESPONDING TEAM.
BUT TO YOUR QUESTION, SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE, ANTHONY AND I, AND NOW OUR NEW CLINICAL SUPERVISOR, UM, AS UPON, YOU KNOW, IF THE BUDGET PASSES AND CSAR REMAINS TO BE IN IT, UM, WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT INNOVATIONS ON HOW WE CAN ONE REMAIN WITH THE MODELS NATIONALLY, WHAT'S ALTERNATIVE CRISIS RESPONSE TEAMS LOOK LIKE, UM, AND HOW WE CAN MAYBE ADJUST WHAT OUR MODEL LOOKS LIKE HERE IN THE CITY SO THAT WE CAN ADDRESS THAT NEED FOR OUTSIDE OF THOSE SERVICE TIMES.
AND WE AGREE WITH YOU A HUNDRED PERCENT THAT, THAT TIME, 10 TO FIVE REALLY WAS OUR PILOT TIME OF, IF WE DO THIS, WE NEED TO, YOU KNOW, LOOK AT WHERE THE MOST CALLS WERE.
AND WHEN WE WERE DESIGNING THIS BACK IN 2021, THE CALLS REALLY WERE 10 TO FIVE ISH FOR THE MOST PART.
UM, BUT NOW THAT WE HAVE EXPANDED OUR GEOGRAPHIC AND ARE SERVING THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, WE, WE DO SEE THE NEED NOW, UH, FOR SERVICE BEFORE 10 AND AFTER FIVE.
UH, AND SO PART OF THAT INNOVATION IS MOVING TO POSSIBLY A TWO PERSON TEAM.
SO INSTEAD OF HAVING THREE STAFF OUT THERE, WE WOULD HAVE TWO PEOPLE, OUR CRISIS INTERVENTION SPECIALIST, AND A PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE.
AND SO THOSE TWO TEAM TWO TEAMS WOULD HAVE BOTH OF THOSE, UH, POSITIONS ON IT.
UH, AND THEN THAT WOULD GIVE US ADDITIONAL CAPACITY TO SERVE DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE DAY, UH, TO REALLY BRING THAT INTO FRUITION.
WE'LL BE WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS, OUR IAM PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE EXPAND IN THE WAYS THAT ARE STILL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONTRACTS THAT IAM HAVE WITH US.
UH, AND THEN WE DO THAT EXPANSION CORRECTLY.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE MATTERS HERE.
I JUST A, A COMMENT THAT, UH, I WAS THERE WHEN WE FIRST KICKED THIS OFF A COUPLE YEARS AGO.
IT WAS A PROGRAM THAT WAS MUCH NEEDED, AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT IT'S WORKING.
UH, AND THEN JUST AS A, ACTUALLY A FOLLOW UP, UM, FROM, UH, COUNCILMAN ALLEN, UH, TALKING ABOUT THE, UH, THE OPPORTUNITY POTENTIALLY FOR, TO SPLIT THE TEAMS, UM, WHAT IS THE CONTINGENCY PLAN THAT YOU ALL HAVE RELATED TO, UM, MULTIPLE CALLS AT THE SAME TIME? SO IF THERE ARE, IF THERE ARE CALLS THAT ARE, UM, YOU KNOW, PRIORITY THREE THAT POTENTIALLY CAN GO TO THE TEAM, BUT THEY COME IN RIGHT AROUND THE SAME TIME OR WHILE YOU'RE STILL ON SCENE WITH, WITH SOMEONE, HOW DO YOU ALL HANDLE THAT? THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT QUESTION.
UH, SO THE WAY THAT CCR HANDLES CALLS THAT COME IN SIMULTANEOUSLY CURRENTLY, UM, IS MAINLY THROUGH OUR EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER.
THE CALL TAKERS ARE ABLE TO, UH, TRIAGE THE CALLS AND DETERMINE WHICH ONES ARE, UM, MORE MENTAL HEALTH, HEALTH C-C-R-A-C-R TAGGED.
UM, AS WE SAY, UH, MOVING INTO A WORLD WHERE WE ARE EXPLORING POTENTIALLY HAVING POTENTIALLY A SECOND TEAM MORE HOURS, UH, WE WOULD BE RELYING HEAVILY ON THE CALL TAKERS TO BE ABLE TO TRIAGE THOSE CALLS ADDITIONALLY.
UM, BUT BEING ABLE TO DO TWO CALLS, UM, SIMULTANEOUSLY DOES OPEN US UP TO MORE OPPORTUNITIES IN THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE THOSE CONNECTIONS.
UH, AT THE END OF THE DAY, UH, ALL PUBLIC SAFETY CALLS, UM, WILL BE MET WITH A UNIT.
UM, IF IT'S PAST OUR HOURS OR IF THE TEAM IS CURRENTLY ON A CALL, UM, THE CALLS WILL REMAIN ON THE BOARD.
UM, IF CCR IS STILL AVAILABLE, UH, WHICH IT WILL BE, UM, AFTER THEY, UH, FINISH RESPONDING TO A CALL, UM, THEY WILL TAKE THE NEXT CALL ON THE BOARD.
UM, SO AS LONG AS THAT CALL HASN'T, UH, UPGRADED TO A HIGHER PRIORITY, UM, CCR IS STILL ABLE TO RESPOND SO LONG AS THEY'RE IN SERVICE.
UH, AND IF ANYTHING CHANGES, OF COURSE, ANOTHER PUBLIC SAFETY UNIT WILL ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE.
UM, I DON'T HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.
UM, EXCELLENT JOB ON THE PRESENTATION.
UH, I KNOW THIS IS SOMETHING, UH, A PROGRAM THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT, UM, TO OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
SOMETHING THAT I THINK MANY PEOPLE REMEMBER CAME OUTTA THE FRAMEWORK FOR RACIAL RECONCILIATION.
SO I'M REALLY HAPPY TO SEE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO, UM, WITH THE HELP OF LA COUNTY MEASURE A AND OUR GENERAL FUND, UM, CONTINUE THIS REALLY IMPORTANT WORK.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMITMENT AND TO THE, TO THE STAFF THAT ARE OUT THERE THAT ACTUALLY DO THE WORK.
UH, AND WITH THAT BEING SAID, UM, I'D LIKE TO TAKE, UH, THIS TO PUBLIC COMMENT AT THIS TIME.
UM, IF THERE ARE ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM, PLEASE STAND AND FORM A LINE SO WE CAN DETERMINE HOW MANY SPEAKERS WILL BE PARTICIPATING.
AGAIN, ONCE THIS NUMBER IS ESTABLISHED, NO ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENT WILL BE HEARD FOR THIS ITEM.
SO AGAIN, IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK ON, UM, ITEM NUMBER THREE RELATED TO THE COMMUNITY CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM, PLEASE STAND NOW.
AND I THINK I SEE THREE PUBLIC COMMENTERS, SO WE WILL GO WITH THOSE THREE.
UH, CHRISTOPHER, THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
UH, AND THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.
UM, SO I, AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, I'M THE CO-CHAIR OF THE ADVANCING PEACE STEERING COMMITTEE, THE VIOLENCE PREVENTION INITIATIVE PROGRAM WITHIN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH.
UH, I WANNA APPRECIATE THE CCR TEAM.
UH, THEY HAVE PROVIDED PRESENTATIONS TO OUR STEERING COMMITTEE
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MULTIPLE TIMES, AND, UH, AS A PART OF OUR RECOMMENDATION AND REQUEST TO THE CITY COUNCIL AS PART OF OUR VIOLENCE PREVENTION ASK OF $5 MILLION, UH, WE INCLUDED FUNDS TO GO DIRECTLY TO CCR.SO, UM, WE'RE HERE ADVOCATING THAT, UM, IN THEIR BUDGET REQUESTS THAT YOU ALL MEET THAT, TO CONTINUE THOSE SERVICES OR POTENTIALLY EXPAND THEM IN THE DIFFERENT AREAS IN THE CITY.
SO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
MY NAME IS AUSTIN MUTO, PRESIDENT AND CEO FOR THE DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH ALLIANCE.
UM, I WANTED TO, UH, SPEAK TODAY IN SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM.
UM, WHEN THE TEAM FIRST STARTED OUT OVER ON THE WEST SIDE, DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH, UH, AND THE DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH ALLIANCE RECOGNIZED THAT THIS WAS A SERVICE THAT WE DESPERATELY NEEDED FOR MANY OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.
WE RECOGNIZED THAT THERE NEEDED TO BE A, AN APPROACH THAT LOOKED AT, UM, HOLISTICALLY A PERSONS OF THE HEALTH.
THERE ARE BEHAVIOR, NOT JUST THE LAW ENFORCEMENT, UM, PIECE.
AND SO WE REQUEST THAT THIS PROGRAM BE EXPANDED, AND WE WERE EXCITED WHEN IT HAPPENED.
UH, THE CCR TEAM, UH, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAD WORKED CLOSELY WITH OUR SAFETY AMBASSADORS TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES THERE AND HOW THEY CAN CONNECT WITH THEM WHEN UTILIZING THOSE SERVICES.
SO, UM, UH, WE SUPPORT THE PROGRAM.
WE'D LOVE TO SEE EXPANDED, UM, AS WELL AS FUNDED IN, UH, THIS UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
HELLO, MY NAME'S KATHLEEN ADAMS. I'M FROM DISTRICT FOUR.
I PARTICIPATE WITH MANY COALITION MEMBERS THAT HAVE, UH, JUSTICE AND EQUALITY FOR ALL AS PART OF THEIR EFFORT.
BUT SPECIFICALLY, I'M HERE BECAUSE I'M PART OF, UH, SHOWING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE OR SURGE.
UM, WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING THE CRISIS COMMUNITY CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM, AND WE'RE SO THRILLED IT WASN'T DELETED.
WE'RE SO THRILLED IT IS BEING FUNDED.
AND HAVING SAID THAT, WE ARE HAVING THE BIG DREAM OF A 24 HOUR DIRECT LINE SO THAT, UM, WE CAN, I MEAN, YOU SAW THE DATA, WHICH WAS, THAT WAS A BEAUTIFUL PRESENTATION.
IT SHOWS THAT MOST OF THE THINGS WE CAN DO CAN BYPASS THE POLICE, AND THIS WILL FREE UP THE POLICE.
AND RIGHT NOW, UH, OUT OF CONVERSATIONS WITH COFFEE WITH A COP AND OR HAVING CALLED 9 1 1, UM, TO TRY TO GET HELP FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING A HEALTH CRISIS, I'VE LEARNED THAT I WILL NOT CALL 9 1 1 AND I WILL NOT CALL NON-EMERGENCY.
AND I DO TRY TO, UM, CALL THE MULTI-SERVICE CENTER, BUT I DON'T GET A CALL BACK.
AND I, YOU KNOW, I'LL LEAVE A MESSAGE.
AND SO, UM, BASED ON JUST THAT DATA, AND THAT WAS JUST FOR A PARTIAL OF LONG BEACH, I THINK IF WE HAD THE DIRECT LINE AND IF WE COULD ATTACH THE GO LONG BEACH APP.
SO, UM, TO HAVE SOMETHING LIKE A COMMUNITY CARES BUTTON, WE CAN COLLECT THE DATA THAT I THINK WILL JUSTIFY MORE FUNDING AND MY VISION BASED ON PRIOR CONVERSATION WITH OUR, UM, MANAGER OF THE CITY.
$8 MILLION SOUNDS LIKE A REALLY GOOD NUMBER FOR ME FOR THAT 24 HOUR DIRECT LINE.
AND TO EXPAND, NOT ONLY TO HAVE THE CURRENT, UM, WHICH I KNOW IT'S RAMPING UP TO HAVE MORE COVERAGE, TO EXPAND IT, TO INCLUDE PARTICIPATION WITH THE TIPS WHO ARE ALREADY TRAUMA PREPARED, AND MAYBE THE SENIOR POLICE PARTNERS AS BUILDING A WHOLE, A HOLISTIC COALITION THAT WE CAN SUPPORT.
SO WHILE PEOPLE ARE ON CALLS, THE TWO TEAMS ARE GOING ON CALLS, SOME OF THESE OTHER VOLUNTEERS CAN RESPOND TO CALLS AND SAY, HOLD THE FORT UNTIL THE PROFESSIONALS CAN COME.
SO I, I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS AND THRILLED ABOUT THE PRESENTATION TODAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL THE PUBLIC COMMENTERS.
UH, AND BEFORE WE GO TO OUR, OUR VOTE, JUST AS A, UM, UH, INFORMATION FOR YOU ALL, THE GATE IS LIFTED, UM, AT THE PARKING STRUCTURE, SO YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL FIVE O'CLOCK.
I MEAN, I KNOW YOU ALL ARE WAITING WITH BATED BREATH TO BE WITH OUR, TO HEAR OUR FIVE BUDGET HEARINGS, SO I DON'T WANNA MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU DON'T WANNA STAY FOR THAT.
BUT IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE, YOU CAN, UH, FOR FREE.
UH, AND WITH THAT BEING SAID, WE CAN TAKE, UH, WE CAN GO AHEAD AND DO, UH, TAKE THE VOTE.
NEXT ITEM IS ITEM FOUR, A RECOMMENDATION TO RECEIVE AND FILE COUNCIL DISTRICT CORRESPONDENCE.
UM, SO WE RECEIVED, UH, TECHNICALLY WE RECEIVED, JUST SO YOU ALLALL KNOW, WE RECEIVED FIVE DIFFERENT, UM, UH, COUNCIL CORRESPONDENCES, HOWEVER,
[4. 25-56286 Recommendation to receive and file Council District correspondence. Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]
ATTACHMENTS, FOUR A AND FOUR B.SO THIS IS RELATED TO COUNCIL WOMAN'S, UH, COUNCIL WOMAN'S AND DEJAS STRONG BEACH, DOWNTOWN BEACH FUTURE INVESTMENTS.
UM, AND THERE WAS ANOTHER ATTACHMENT LABELED DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH ALLIANCE AND HAM SAFETY SERVICES AND DOWNTOWN PROGRAM SCOPE OF
[01:20:01]
WORK FOUR B ACTUALLY WAS SUPPOSED TO BE AN ATTACHMENT TO FOUR A, UH, SO I'LL JUST TAKE BOTH OF THOSE TOGETHER AS LONG AS MY COMMITTEE MEMBERS DON'T MIND.UM, AND SO AGAIN, I DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE, UH, ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT PARTICULAR ITEM.
ANY COMMENTS FROM MY, UH, COUNCIL COLLEAGUES ON THAT ONE? SEEING NONE.
UM, THEN WE'LL MOVE TO, AND THEN THERE WAS ALSO ATTACHMENT FOUR C.
UH, THIS WAS COUNCIL MEMBERS ZENDEJAS, AS WELL AS COUNCIL MEMBER KERR.
UM, AND THEY WERE ASKING FOR A SERIES OF LONG BEACH, UH, PUBLIC LIBRARY INVESTMENTS, UM, UH, IN CONCERT, I BELIEVE WITH OUR LONG BEACH LIBRARY FOUNDATION.
UM, ANY COMMENTS FROM, UH, MY COLLEAGUES? ALRIGHT, SEEING NONE.
UH, AND THEN ATTACHMENT FOUR D UH, WAS FROM, UM, OUR, OUR VICE MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, OR RANGA.
WE WE'RE REGARDING, I THINK, SEVERAL DIFFERENT FUNDING REQUESTS.
DID YOU WANNA SAY ANYTHING AT THE COMMITTEE MEETING RELATED TO THOSE REQUESTS? I THINK THEY'RE SELF EXPLANATORY.
UM, UH, COUNCILWOMAN? UH, NOTHING.
AND THEN THE LAST ONE WAS, UH, ATTACHMENT FOUR E.
UM, AND THIS WAS A COMMUNICATION FROM COUNCIL DISTRICTS EIGHT, ONE, AND SIX.
UH, AND THIS IS RELATED TO A BUDGET REQUEST FOR THE BLACK INFANT HEALTH PROGRAM, UM, RELATED TO RESTORING SOME FUNDING FOR, UH, A COUPLE OF POSITIONS.
UM, AND I KNOW THAT WE HAVE BEEN TALKING, WE HAVE, UH, BEEN IN CONVERSATION WITH OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
SO, UH, ANY COMMENTS RELATED TO THAT FROM MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES? ALL RIGHT.
UM, THEN I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT, AND I THINK WE HAVE SOME FOLKS OUT HERE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SAY PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM.
SO AGAIN, UM, WE'LL NOT PICK PUBLIC COMMENT.
IF THERE ARE ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WOULD WISH TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM, PLEASE STAND AND FORM A LINE SO THAT WE CAN DETERMINE HOW MANY SPEAKERS WILL BE PARTICIPATING.
ONCE THIS NUMBER IS ESTABLISHED, NO ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENT WILL BE HEARD FOR THIS ITEM.
SO IF YOU ALL COULD, UM, JUST LINE UP SO THAT WAY WE CAN COUNT AND SEE IF THERE'S MORE THAN 10 FOLKS.
AND IF THERE'S MORE THAN 10 PEOPLE, WE'LL DROP THE TIME DOWN TO A MINUTE AND A HALF.
AND IF THE CITY CLERK OR STAFF CAN HELP ME WITH THE NUM, WITH THE COUNT, THEY ALL START TO LOOK, THEY ALL START TO FORM ONE BIG LINE FROM HERE, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE MORE THAN 10.
SO JUST SO YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY WILL GET ONE MINUTE OR A MINUTE AND A HALF OR 90 SECONDS.
SO WHOEVER WOULD LIKE TO GO FIRST, PLEASE, UH, APPROACH.
HELLO? CAN THEY HEAR ME? JUST SPEAK A LITTLE BIT LOWER.
IF YOU CAN GET AS CLOSE AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN TO THE MIC OR MAYBE PUSH IT A LITTLE BIT TOWARDS HER.
UM, I AM A PART OF THE BLACK HE INFANT HEALTH PROGRAM, AND I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU GUYS TO KEEP THE FUNDING GOING.
IT'S A BIG PART OF THE COMMUNITY, AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT I DO.
I'M A FIRST TIME MOM AND I AM BLIND, AND THEY ARE THE BEST.
UM, SO IF WE COULD KEEP THE FUNDING GOING, I WOULD GREATLY, GREATLY APPRECIATE IT.
HI, I'M ROBBIE BUTLER, PRESIDENT OF THE SPEAK UP EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION, AND I AM HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE $450,000 IN FUNDING FOR THE BLACK INFANT HEALTH PROGRAM.
UH, THE LONG BEACH BLACK INFANT HEALTH PROGRAM IS A CRITICALLY IMPORTANT PROGRAM OPERATED BY THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO SUPPORT OUR CITIES UNDERREPRESENTED AND UNDERSERVED POPULATION OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MOTHERS.
STATISTICS SUPPORT THAT BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH HAS ALWAYS BEEN UNDER ATTACK.
THAT ATTACK RANGES FROM ACCESS TO PRENUP, TO PROPER PRENATAL, PRENATAL CARE AND EDUCATION, UH, TO DELIVER HEALTHY BABIES TO THE REQUIRED POSTPARTUM CARE THAT
[01:25:01]
ENSURES OUR MOTHERS, UH, CAN, CAN THRIVE AFTER BIRTH.YOU CANNOT PUT AN ACTUAL PRICE TAG ON AN INDIVIDUAL'S HEALTH, BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY CONTINUE TO ALLOCATE THE NEEDED FUNDS THAT WILL GIVE BLACK MOTHERS AND THEIR BABIES AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET ON THE RIGHT TRACK HEALTH-WISE, AND TRAVEL THAT PATH AS FAR AS IT WILL TAKE THEM.
OUR BLACK INFANT HEALTH PROGRAM MAKES A CRITICAL DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OUR YOUNG MOTHERS, UH, SUCH AS THE YOUNG LADY THAT JUST CAME UP TO THE PODIUM A FEW MINUTES AGO.
SO I ENCOURAGE YOU TO ABSOLUTELY.
TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THAT PROGRAM.
I'M BARBARA SULLIVAN, AND I HAVE A WEBSITE THAT'S CALLED 50 NIFTY AND MORE.
AND I RAN AN ARTICLE RECENTLY ON BLACK INFANT HEALTH, AND I CAN'T BEGIN.
THAT WAS, WAS GIVEN TO ME ALL THE INFORMATION FROM THE PROGRAM AND FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY, PEOPLE WERE WRITING SAYING, WHY DON'T WE HAVE THIS KIND OF PROGRAM? BECAUSE IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE CHILDREN, AND WE BLOCK MOTHERS IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND GRANDMOTHERS AND AUNTIES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN INVOLVED.
SO THIS MONEY IS VERY IMPORTANT.
THIS PROGRAM IS VERY IMPORTANT.
YOU'VE HEARD THE STATISTICS, AND I'M SURE YOU'LL HEAR MORE ABOUT WHAT IT HAS DONE IN TERMS OF IMPROVING, UH, THE LIVES OF BLACK INFANTS.
AND I STRONGLY SUPPORT THAT WE CONTINUE THIS PROGRAM BECAUSE IT'S A NUMBER ONE PROGRAM.
WE DON'T HAVE THIS KIND OF PROGRAM ACROSS THE COUNTRY, SO WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE IT HERE, AND I STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT IT.
MY NAME IS ROL PARKER AND I, UH, AM ASSOCIATED WITH BLACK COUNTY HEALTH PROGRAM.
I WAS A CITY EMPLOYEE FOR SEVEN 18 YEARS WITH THE HEALTH, WITH THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT, AND 15 YEARS WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
AND WHEN I WAS TRANSFERRED OVER TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, DR.
DE BONTA INITIATED THIS PROGRAM, THE BLACK MEN HEALTH PROGRAM, BECAUSE OF THE, THE, THE, UH, THE DEATHS OF BLACK BABIES.
AND WITH HER EFFORTS, WHICH WITH NATIONALLY KNOWN, WE SIGNIFICANTLY CHANGED THE STATISTICS IN TERMS OF BLACK BABIES BEING BORN UNHEALTHY, AND BLACK BABIES WHO, WHO DIED.
SO WE SHOULD NOT BE IN, IN THE, IN THE CRISIS THAT THIS COUNTRY IS GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW.
WE SHOULD NOT TAKE A STEP BACK.
THE AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE IS THIS COUNTRY, AND THIS CITY IS, IS COMMENDABLE.
AND FOR THIS PROGRAM, UH, TO BE CONSIDERED, TO BE CUT.
I THINK AS A TRAVESTY, I THINK WE SHOULD NOT ALLOW SOME OF THE NATIONAL TRENDS THAT ARE GOING ON IN THIS COUNTRY IN TERMS OF, UH, UH, EXCLUSION TO MANIFEST ITSELF.
SO I THINK IT WOULD BE OUR, OUR LEGACY IN THIS CITY IN TERMS OF EQUITY IS ON THE LINE.
WE SHOULD NOT BE CUTTING POSITIONS.
IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO, TO, TO, UH, TO RAISE CHILDREN.
I THINK OUR CONSCIOUS IS AT STAKE WHEN WE LOOK AT THE NUMBER, UH, THAT HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED IN TERMS OF, UH, BLACK INFANT MORTALITY, BUT WE CANNOT STEP, TAKE A STEP BACK.
I KNOW MY BROTHER ROBERTO, UH, WHO, UH, RANGA WHO WORKED WITH ME, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, UH, WE, WE, UH, APPLAUDED DEANNA WHEN SHE CAME AND, AND ESTABLISHED THIS PROGRAM, WHICH HAD BECOME NATIONALLY KNOWN.
SO I THINK THAT, UH, YOU SHOULD, UH, THANK YOU.
HELLO, MY NAME IS ISHA SHEFFIELD, AND THIS IS MY DAUGHTER TAYLOR.
I'M A RESIDENT IN TAXPAYER IN LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA, AND I'M A PROUD RECIPIENT AND A PROUD RECIPIENT OF THE KNOWLEDGE, SUPPORT, EMPOWERMENT, EDUCATION, AND NURTURING LOVE THAT BLACK INFANT HEALTH HAS TO OFFER.
I KNOW FIRSTHAND THAT THIS PROGRAM SAVES LIVES WITHOUT BI H'S GUIDANCE AND RESOURCES.
MY BABY AND I WOULD NOT HAVE MADE IT THROUGH A VERY HIGH RISK PREGNANCY.
THIS FUNDING IS NOT JUST NUMBERS IN A BUDGET, IT'S HOPE AND HEALTH FOR FAMILIES LIKE MINE.
I HAD MY FIRST CHILD, FIRST AND ONLY CHILD AT THE AGE OF 40.
I'M A 9 1 1 POLICE DISPATCHER BY TRADE.
SO I CONSIDER MYSELF PRETTY COOL AND CALM AND COLLECTED UNDER PRESSURE.
BUT WHEN IT CAME TO HAVING MY FIRST CHILD, I DIDN'T KNOW WHICH WAY TO TURN.
AND ALL MY DOCTOR COULD, COULD DO WAS TO TELL ME HOW MUCH OF A BAD IDEA IT WAS TO GIVE BIRTH AT
[01:30:01]
MY AGE.I WALKED OUT OF THAT OFFICE CRYING ON MY RIDE HOME.
I HEARD A COMMERCIAL FOR BLACK INFANT HEALTH AND DECIDED TO GIVE THEM A CALL.
IT WAS BY FAR THE BEST DECISION I COULD HAVE EVER MADE.
MY HUSBAND SAID WEEK AFTER WEEK, HE WATCHED A LIGHT BULB OF CONFIDENCE TURN ON IN MY HEAD AFTER GOING THROUGH THE BIH PROGRAM.
THE KNOWLEDGE AND SUPPORT THAT BLACK MOTHERS AND FATHERS GAIN FROM BIH IS INVALUABLE.
AND I PRAY THAT YOU'LL DO WHAT YOU KNOW IS RIGHT AND FUND THE BLACK INFANT HEALTH PROGRAM FOR MANY YEARS TO COME FOR BLACK MOTHERS.
THE RISK OF PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS IS REAL.
HI, MY NAME'S AUDREY QUILLIAN AND I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE COALITION OF RETIRED EDUCATORS.
I'M A FORMER, FORMER SPEECH PATHOLOGIST AND PRINCIPAL, AND OUR GROUP ALSO IS REPRESENTED BY FORMER ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTS, FORMER PRINCIPALS, FORMER TEACHERS, FORMER CHILDHOOD SPECIALIST.
AND WE'VE BEEN VOLUNTEERING, UH, WITH BLACK INFANT HEALTH FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
WE PARTNER WITH THEM AND WE'VE HAD THE PLEASURE TO TALK AND INTERACT WITH MANY OF THE YOUNG LADIES WHO'VE COME THROUGH THIS PROGRAM AND GRADUATED.
THEY ALWAYS TALK ABOUT HOW MUCH THE PROGRAM HAS MEANT TO THEM, HOW MUCH IT MEANS TO THEM, AND HOW MUCH IT'S BENEFITED THEM.
IT'S A PLEASURE LOOKING AT THEM AND WHEN THEY BRING THEIR CHILDREN IN THAT HAVE BENEFITED AS WELL FROM THIS PROGRAM.
THE PEOPLE THAT RUN AND WORK FOR THIS PROGRAM ARE COMMITTED TO IT.
THEY LOVE WHAT THEY DO, THEY'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT IT.
THIS PROGRAM IMPACTS THE TRAJECTORY OF THE LIVES OF BABIES, CHILDREN, MOTHERS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THE COMMUNITY.
I IMPLORE YOU NOT TO CUT THE 450,000 FUNDING FROM THIS PROGRAM.
THIS PROGRAM IS SO MEANINGFUL TO THIS COMMUNITY.
AND HAS HELPED SO MANY TIME HAS EXPIRED.
I WALKED INTO BIH FEELING ALONE.
I LEFT WITH SISTERS MENTORS TOOLS THAT I STILL USE TODAY.
IT'S A COMMUNITY THAT KEEPS FAMILY STRONG, UM, AND LIFELONG FRIENDS.
AND IT'S JUST SO IMPORTANT FOR THIS PROGRAM TO STAY.
I MEAN, I'M PREGNANT WITH MY FOURTH CHILD.
PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT AND FUND THIS PROGRAM.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
MY NAME IS CYNTHIA BRA BOY AND I'M A RETIRED CASE MANAGER FROM THE BLACK INFANT HEALTH PROGRAM.
I WORKED THE PROGRAM FOR 25 YEARS.
I'VE COME OUTTA RETIREMENT 'CAUSE I WAS SHOCKED TO HEAR THAT FUNDING WAS GONNA BE, UM, CUT FROM BIH.
OUR STAFF HAS SPENT COUNTLESS MEETINGS AND HOURS WITH BLACK AFRICAN AMERICAN MOTHERS WHO WERE TRAUMATIZED BY THEIR BIRTH EXPERIENCES THAT HAVE SHAPED THEM NEGATIVELY.
TOO MANY BLACK FAMILIES HAVE BURIED BABIES WHO HAVE SH WHO SHOULD, WHO HAVE SHOULD HAVE CELEBRATED THEIR FIRST BABY BIRTHDAYS.
I WAS ONE OF THOSE MOMS I RESPECTFULLY ASKED, NO, BEG YOU TO PLEASE APPROVE 450,000 IN FUNDING THAT WILL HELP STAFF PROVIDE SERVICES TO PREGNANT AND POSTPARTUM MOTHERS WHO HAVE WALKED THROUGH THE DOORS OF BIH FEELING HOPELESS AND ALONE, BUT LEFT AS PASSIONATE, FEARLESS, AND VOCAL ADVOCATES FOR THEMSELVES, THEIR BABIES, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THEIR COMMUNITY.
JUST A REMINDER ALONE, WE CAN DO LITTLE TOGETHER, WE CAN DO MUCH.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
UM, I LIVE IN AND AM REGISTERED TO VOTE IN DISTRICT TWO.
UM, I'M, I'M NOT A MOTHER, UH, BUT I CARE, UM, $450,000.
LIKE THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY TO ME.
I'M SURE IT'S A LOT OF MONEY TO YOU, BUT IT'S LIKE NOTHING VANISHINGLY SLIM FOR THE WHOLE CITY BUDGET.
I DID SOME QUICK MATH AND IT IS 0.014% OF THE ANNUAL BUDGET, LIKE COINS LOST IN THE COUCH CUSHION.
UM, SO MY OWN MOM 30 YEARS AGO
[01:35:01]
DID NOT KNOW HOW TO DO ALL OF THE MOM STUFF AND LIKE, BEYOND LIKE DIAPERS AND FORMULA, THE MOST VALUABLE THING THAT SHE GOT IN HER PREGNANCY WAS INFORMATION, WAS KNOWLEDGE.SHE DIDN'T LEARN ABOUT NEONATAL VITAMINS ON THE BACK OF THE PREGNANCY TEST BOX.
SHE DIDN'T LEARN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIKE A FUSSY BABY AND COLIC FROM PUBLIC SCHOOL.
SHE LEARNED THAT FROM OTHER PEOPLE FROM KNOWLEDGE.
AND THAT'S WHAT BLACK INFANT HEALTH HAS.
LIKE A REDUCED BUDGET ISN'T JUST LIKE LESS MONEY TO SPEND ON PROGRAMS. IT'S LOSS OF ACCESS TO KNOWLEDGE.
HI, MY NAME IS DANIELLE MCINTOSH AND I'M THE NURSE FOR THE LONG BEACH BLACK INFANT HEALTH PROGRAM.
AS A PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, I'M ON THE FRONT LINES OF A CRITICAL HEALTH EQUITY ISSUE.
BLACK MOTHERS AND INFANTS IN OUR COMMUNITY FACE HARSH HEALTH DE DISPARITIES, INCLUDING EXPERIENCING MATERNAL AND INFANT MORTALITY RATES AT TWO TO THREE TIMES HIGHER THAN THEIR WHITE COUNTERPARTS.
THIS REPRESENTS A PROFOUND CRISIS THAT OUR PROGRAM HAS BUILT TO, HAS BEEN BUILT TO ADDRESS BLACK INFANT HEALTH WORKS EVERY SINGLE DAY TO REDUCE, TO DIRECTLY REDUCE DEVASTATING HEALTH DISPARITIES WHILE UPLI LIFTING AND SUPPORTING THE FUTURES OF THESE FAMILIES.
WE DO THIS BY PROVIDING CULTURALLY AFFIRMING SUPPORT AND EDUCATION THAT EMPOWERS BLACK MOTHERS DURING THEIR PRENATAL AND POSTPARTUM PERIODS, GIVING THEM THE TOOLS AND ADVOCACY SKILLS TO NAVIGATE A SYSTEM WHERE THEIR CONCERNS ARE TOO OFTEN DISMISSED.
AS THE NURSE, I HAVE THE HONOR OF COMPLETING HOME VISITS.
THIS CAN BE DONE IN THEIR ACTUAL HOME, THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE, OR EVEN THE HOSPITAL.
THESE VISITS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR OUR PROGRAM'S MISSION.
WE MEET FAMILIES WHERE THEY'RE AT BUILDING VITAL RESOURCES AND EDUCATION, BRINGING VITAL RESOURCES AND EDUCATION DIRECTLY TO THEM TO ENSURE A HEALTHY POSTPARTUM AND FIRST YEAR OF LIFE.
THIS INCLUDES DEDICATED MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT TO HEAL FROM UNIQUE STRESSES AND AND TRAUMA OUR FAMILIES FACE.
AND FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE, HIGH RISK MOMS THAT HAVE FRAGILE BABIES THAT JUST COME HOME INTO THE NICU, FINALLY, FEELING SAFE AT HOME, PLEASE PROTECT THIS PHONE.
GR PLEASE PROTECT THIS PROGRAM.
I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY ASKING YOU TO INVEST $450,000 FOR THE BLACK INFANT HEALTH PROGRAM.
FOR OVER 35 YEARS, BLACK INFANT HEALTH HAS BEEN SERVING GENERATIONS OF BLACK MOMS AND BABIES HERE IN LONG BEACH.
THIS PROGRAM IS ESSENTIAL AS BLACK MOMS AND BABIES ARE ABOUT THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR.
BIH IS KEY TO PREVENTATIVE HEALTH FOR THESE MOMS, AS IT EDUCATES, SUPPORTS AND EMPOWERS THESE MOMS AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT, CASE MANAGEMENT, PRENATAL AND POSTPARTUM GROUP CLASSES, UM, MONTHLY RESOURCE FAIRS, WORKSHOPS, MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, LACTATION SUPPORT, AND WE HELP GET THEM CONNECTED TO RESOURCES THEY'VE NEVER HEARD OF, SUCH AS DOULAS.
UM, NURSE, FAMILY PARTNERSHIP.
UM, THIS IS A SPACE WHERE THESE MOTHERS FEEL GENUINELY HEARD, RESPECTED, LOVED, AND SUPPORTED.
AND FOR SOME, THIS IS THE ONLY PLACE THAT THEY GET THAT.
UM, IT'S HARD TO PUT INTO WORDS HOW MUCH THIS PROGRAM REALLY MEANS TO PEOPLE.
UM, THIS REALLY IS A FAMILY AND PEOPLE FIND THEIR FAMILY HERE TOO.
SO IN A TIME WHEN THINGS FEEL OVERWHELMING AND ISOLATED, THIS IS WHERE PEOPLE FIND COMMUNITY AND LOVE AND SUPPORT.
SO I REALLY AM ASKING YOU TO PLEASE TAKE A STAND FOR THIS PROGRAM AND FOR THESE MOMS AND BABIES.
I'M THE FOUNDER AND PRIME MINISTER OF THE AMERICAN SLAVE NATION.
WE'RE NOT NUMBERS, WE ARE PEOPLE.
I STAND HERE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF THE 450,000 FUNDING REQUESTS FOR THE BLACK INFANT HEALTH PROGRAM BECAUSE THIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT POLICY, IT'S ABOUT PEOPLE.
IT'S ABOUT MOTHERS, FATHERS, BABIES, BIRTH RIGHT? BUT LET ME BE CLEAR, BLACK LIFE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FIGHT FOR ITS SURVIVAL EVERY BUDGET CYCLE.
WE ARE NOT SIMPLY A COMMUNITY IN CRISIS.
WE ARE THE CONSTITUTIONAL CREDITORS OF THIS NATION.
THE WEALTH THAT FUNDS THIS CITY WAS BUILT ON OUR BACK.
THE DEBT IS REAL AND THE PRESERVATION OF BLACK LIFE MUST BE SECURED NOT BY CHARITY, BUT BY COVENANT.
YES, APPROVE THE FUNDING, BUT UNDERSTAND WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR HELP.
WE'RE STEPPING INTO OUR RIGHTFUL PLACE.
THE AMERICAN SLAVE NATION IS NOT HERE TO PROTEST.
WE ARE HERE TO PROTECT, NOT TO BEG, BUT TO BUILD, NOT TO SURVIVE, BUT TO SECURE A FUTURE.
WE HONOR THOSE WHO LABOR IN THIS PROGRAM, AND WE INVITE THIS BODY TO BEGIN FUNDING BLACK LIFE,
[01:40:01]
NOT JUST THROUGH POLICY, BUT THROUGH SOVEREIGNTY, JUSTICE, AND COVENANT, BECAUSE OUR BABY DON'T NEED PERMISSION TO BE PROTECTED.UH, GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
UM, MY NAME IS CHRISTOPHER COVINGTON, CO-CHAIR OF THAT ADVANCING PEACE STEERING COMMITTEE.
UM, I WANT TO EXTEND MY SINCERE APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE TO VICE MAYOR, UH, ROBERTO
UH, THAT MEANS A LOT TO US, UM, THROUGH THE CITY PROCESS.
WE KNOW THAT THE COURT, CITY COUNCIL CORRESPONDENCE, UH, MEAN SOMETHING.
AND SO WE APPRECIATE YOU CHAMPIONING VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND, UH, IMMIGRANT, UM, ISSUES AS WELL IN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH.
AND I APOLOGIZE IF I'M MISSING ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS LAST WEEKS, UM, ON, AT LEAST ON THE WEBSITE, WE CAN'T ACCESS ANY OF THE MINUTES.
UH, THERE'S LIKE A, A BREAK IN THE LINK OR WHATEVER.
UM, SO IF OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE INCLUDED THE VIOLENCE PREVENTION ASKING YOUR CITY COUNCIL CORRESPONDENCE, UM, PLEASE LET US KNOW AND WE'LL GIVE APPRECIATION TO Y'ALL AS WELL.
SO THANK YOU VICE MAYOR FOR MAKING CHAMPIONING VIOLENCE PREVENTION.
AND THEN, UH, JUST AS TO ADDRESS HOW THE PUBLIC COMMENTERS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING OUT TODAY.
I SPECIFICALLY SEE FOLKS HERE WITH VERY SMALL BABIES, UH, OVER THERE ROCKING.
AND JUST SO YOU KNOW, UH, AS SOMEONE WHO USED TO HAVE TO BRING THEIR VERY SMALL CHILDREN TO CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AND TO EVENTS, I GET IT.
SO YOU, YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME TO HAVE YOUR, YOUR, YOUR CHILD.
WHETHER THEY'RE CRYING, THEY'RE HAPPY, THEY'RE CRAWLING, THEY'RE WALKING, THEY'RE ALWAYS WELCOME.
UM, UH, AND JUST KNOW, UM, WE HEAR YOU.
RIGHT? SO THIS DOES NOT FALL ON DEAF EARS FOR MANY, MANY OF YOU ALL KNOW, UM, I DID THE BLACK HEALTH PROGRAM MYSELF, UH, WITH MY 4-YEAR-OLD.
SO, UH, PLEASE KNOW THAT YOU'RE TALKING TO FOLKS HERE WHO UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF THE PROGRAM.
THEY UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PROGRAM.
AND NO MATTER WHAT THE DECISION IS MADE AS WE MOVE FORWARD, PLEASE KNOW THAT YOU ARE HEARD, YOU ARE SEEN.
WE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE AND THE IMPACT OF THE PROGRAM.
UM, AND WE ARE COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE THAT IT CONTINUES TO SUPPORT AND UPLIFT, UH, THE NEEDS OF BLACK WOMEN IN THE CITY, UM, WHEN IT COMES TO MATERNAL HEALTH, UM, AND CONTINUES TO SERVE AS WELL AS WE POSSIBLY CAN AS A CITY.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH THOUGH FOR, FOR COMING OUT AND SPEAKING YOUR, YOUR TRUTH.
AND THAT BEING SAID, UH, WE CAN GO AHEAD AND VOTE TO RECEIVE AND FILE MOTION CARRIES.
ALL RIGHT, NEXT ITEM, ITEM FIVE IS A RECOMMENDATION TO RECEIVE AND FILE COMMUNITY CORRESPONDENCE.
ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE A FIRST AND A SECOND.
UH, SO WE HAVE A WHOLE BUNCH OF THESE.
[5. 25-56289 Recommendation to receive and file community correspondence. Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]
WE ALMOST MADE IT TO THE END OF THE ALPHABET THIS TIME, FOLKS, JUST SO YOU KNOW, MADE ITS ATTACHMENT QUEUEUM, SO I'M GONNA GO THROUGH THESE, UH, BEING MINDFUL OF TIME 'CAUSE I ALSO WANNA, UH, ALLOW TIME FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
UM, SO, UM, I'M JUST GONNA READ THROUGH THESE AND THEN AT THE END, IF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ANY PARTICULAR ITEMS THEY'D LIKE TO UPLIFT, UM, THEN I'LL JUST OPEN IT UP INSTEAD OF GOING ITEM BY ITEM.
IS THAT OKAY WITH EVERYONE? ALRIGHT.
UM, SO ATTACHMENT A WAS SUBMITTED BY THE UNITED CAMBODIAN COMMUNITY THAT WAS REQUESTING $50,000 FOR A, FOR A CAMBODIAN, UH, ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY.
UM, I WILL SAY THAT I BELIEVE, UM, A PORTION OF THIS IS ACTUALLY FUNDED.
I THINK THIS ACTUALLY MIGHT BE FUNDED ITS ENTIRETY IN THE MAYOR'S RECOMMENDATION.
SO JUST AS A CAVEAT THERE, UM, ATTACHMENTS, B, C, AND D, UM, I'M JUST GONNA, I'M GOING TO, IF MY COLLEAGUES ARE OKAY, I'M GONNA TAKE THOSE TOGETHER.
UM, BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL RELATED TO, UM, THE SAME ASK REQUESTING $25,000 IN ALLOCATION FOR FOCUSING ON THE REVISIONING OF WILLOW SPRINGS PARK.
UH, ATTACHMENT C WAS, UM, ADVOCATING IN SUPPORT OF THE CITY AUDITOR'S BUDGET, REQUEST FOR PERSONNEL TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF THE TITLES FUND.
UM, ATTACHMENTS, F AND G I'M GONNA TAKE AGAIN, UM, TOGETHER, IF THAT'S OKAY WITH EVERYONE.
UM, AND THAT IS FOR THE WEST SIDE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION.
LONG BEACH, UM, HAS A REQUEST, UM, FOR, UM, MONEY FOR A ONE YEAR CLEANUP AND SANITATION CONTRACT.
UM, ATTACHMENT H UM, IS FROM, UH, DISTRICT, SOME DISTRICT FIVE RESIDENTS IN SUPPORT OF UPGRADING INFRASTRUCTURE ON, UM, CLARK AVENUE ATTACHMENTS, I-J-K-L-N, AND P, UM, ARE ALL, I'M GONNA TAKE ALL OF THOSE TOGETHER AS WELL.
UM, AND THOSE ARE ALL FROM VARIOUS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD MICRO GRANT PROGRAM TO FRONT NEIGHBORHOOD MICRO, UM, MICRO ACTIV ACTIVATIONS.
[01:45:01]
UH, ATTACHMENT M UM, IS FROM A RESIDENT IN SUPPORT OF A BUDGETARY ACTION TO, UH, ACTION FOR WATER AND TO SUSTAIN THE TREES ON WARDLOW ROAD.AND STUDEBAKER, UH, ATTACHMENT O UM, IS AN ITEM, UH, SUPPORTING THE EXPANSION OF THE COMMUNITY CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM.
UM, AND THEN LASTLY, ATTACHMENT Q WAS SUBMITTED ON BEHALF OF THE LONG BEACH CHAPTER OF THE CALIFORNIA FACULTY ASSOCIATION IN SUPPORT OF FUNDING FOR THE LONG BEACH JUSTICE FUND, WHICH WE HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT, UH, A NUMBER OF TIMES HERE, UM, AT THE BUDGET OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEETING.
ANY PARTICULAR, UM, REQUESTS OR COMMENTS, UM, THAT MY COMMITTEE MEMBERS WOULD LIKE TO UPLIFT? ALL RIGHT, SEEING NONE, UM, I WILL THEN OPEN IT UP FOR, UH, PUBLIC COMMENT ONCE AGAIN.
AGAIN, WE'LL NOT TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT AT THIS TIME.
IF THERE ARE ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM, PLEASE STAND AND FORM A LINE SO WE CAN DETERMINE HOW MANY SPEAKERS WE PARTICIPATING ONCE THIS NUMBER IS ESTABLISHED.
AGAIN, NO ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENT WILL BE HEARD FOR THIS ITEM.
I THINK I'M SEEING TWO, TWO FOLKS PUT THIS.
IS THIS FOR NOT AGENDA? WE, WE ARE NOT ON THAT AGENDA YET.
SO ANYONE FOR ITEM FIVE? GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE, GOING THREE TIMES.
SEEING NONE, UH, WE CAN GO AHEAD AND REPORT TO RECEIVING FILE.
NEXT ITEM, ITEM SIX IS A RECOMMENDATION TO RECEIVE AND FILE A LIST OF FOLLOW UP ITEMS FROM THE BUDGET HEARINGS AND OR BUDGET OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
WERE THERE ANY, I DON'T KNOW THAT WE HAD ANY ATTACHED TO THIS ONE.
[6. 25-56290 Recommendation to receive and file a list of follow-up items from the Budget Hearings and/or Budget Oversight Committee meetings. Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]
UH, YES, THERE WAS A TFF FOR THE AUGUST 19TH MEETING THAT WAS PROVIDED.UM, SO THAT WAS A, A MEMO TO THE ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL? CORRECT.
UM, ANY COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES ON THAT? ANY FOLLOW UP QUESTIONS? UH, AND THEN ADDITIONALLY, I JUST REALIZED WHEN WE DID THE PREVIOUS AGENDA ITEM, I FORGOT TO NOTE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, CAN I STILL DO THAT? COUNCIL MEMBER
I'LL DEFER TO THE CLERK CORRECT THAT, YEAH, THAT WAS SUBMITTED AS A PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THAT.
UM, AND SO THEN I GUESS I'LL JUST ACKNOWLEDGE IT THAT WE HAVE, AS SUBMITTED, AS PART OF PUBLIC COMMENT WAS A, UM, A FUNDING REQUEST RELATE FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT FOUR.
WELL, IF THERE'S NO, IF THERE ARE NO ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS, THEN AGAIN, WE'LL GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
UH, IF THERE ARE ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO SPEAK ON, UM, THE, THE BUDGET REPORT BACK, UM, PLEASE STAND IN FORMAL LINE SO WE CAN DETERMINE HOW MANY SPEAKERS WE PARTICIPATING.
ONCE THIS NUMBER IS ESTABLISHED, NO ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENT WILL BE HEARD FOR THIS ITEM.
SO, UH, ALL THREE MINUTES WILL GO TO YOU AND THEN WE'LL GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
IN GENERAL, THIS NOT, IT'S NOT GENERAL YET.
I KNOW IT'S, IT'S A LOT OF, IT'S A LOOK HERE AT BOC.
WE ARE ALL ABOUT PUBLIC COMMENT.
CHRISTOPHER, PLEASE THANK YOU SO MUCH, UH, CHRISTOPHER COVINGTON, BUT AT THIS CAPACITY, I'LL BE SPEAKING ON THE EQUITY AND HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION.
UH, I WANNA APPRECIATE, UM, STAFF REPORTING BACK ON THE $22,000 ASK.
UH, AT THE LAST MEETING, UH, OUR CHAIR ASKED HOW MUCH OF THE COMMISSION IT HAS CURRENTLY USED, HOW MUCH MONEY WOULD ROLL OVER INTO THIS FISCAL YEAR FOR THE EQUITY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION.
THAT WAS THE QUESTION THAT WAS POSED.
UM, AND SO BASED OFF OF STAFF REPORTING, THERE WOULD APPROXIMATELY BE $8,000.
UH, I KNOW THAT WE STILL HAVE MEETINGS COMING UP, UH, WHERE TRAINING IS BEING PAID FOR AND OTHER SERVICES ARE BEING PAID FOR.
SO, UM, IF THE 8,000 IS TO ROLL OVER, UM, WE WOULD NEED, UM, FOR, UM, $14,000 TO MAKE UP THE SUM.
UM, SO WE APPRECIATE, UM, THE CONVERSATIONS AND THE CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT OFFICES TO GIVE Y'ALL WHAT YOU NEED.
AND AS THE EQUITY HUMAN RELATIONS CHAIR, WE DO RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT WE GET, UM, THE 22,000 IN ORDER TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSIONS THAT WE HAVE PLANNED FOR THIS YEAR.
UM, ONE ADDITIONAL, UM, POINT TO THIS IS THAT THIS IS A ONE-TIME FUND ASK.
UH, THERE ARE OTHER COMMISSIONS WITHIN THE CITY THAT GET, UM, STRUCTURAL FUNDING.
UH, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.
UM, SO IF THERE CAN BE A CONSIDERATION TO IDENTIFY STRUCTURAL FUNDS TO GO TO THE EQUITY AND HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION, THAT WOULD BE AMAZING.
BUT UNTIL THAT POINT, UH, WE WOULD DEFINITELY LOVE TO HAVE THE 22,000 ONE-TIME FUNDS, UH, AVAILABLE IN THIS FISCAL YEAR.
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IT'S ONLY PUBLIC COMMENTER, WE CAN GO AHEAD AND VOTE TO RECEIVE A FILE.NOW IT'S TIME FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT.
UH, AT THIS TIME, IF ANY MEMBERS OF PUBLIC WHO WISH TO SPEAK ON A NON AGENDA ITEM, PLEASE STAND AND FORM A LINE SO WE CAN DETERMINE HOW MANY SPEAKERS, UH, WE'LL BE PARTICIPATING.
AGAIN, ONCE THIS NUMBER IS ESTABLISHED, NO ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENT WILL BE HEARD.
[PUBLIC COMMENT Opportunity to address the Budget Oversight Committee on non-agenda items. Each speaker is limited to three minutes to make their comments unless extended by the Chair.]
CHRISTOPHER, I THINK YOU SHOULD JUST LIKE, STAY OFF ON THE SIDE THERE AND JUST, YEAH.WELL, NEXT TIME YOU WANT ME TO GO FIRST OR YOU WANNA GO? YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE NOW,
I THINK PEOPLE, WE MORE PEOPLE CUEING.
UM, SO AS A RESIDENT, I WANNA APPRECIATE, UH, OUR CHAIR AND THE STAFF, UH, FOR LIFTING UP THE GATE.
UH, I KNOW THAT HAS BEEN SOMETHING, A REQUEST THAT I PUT FORTH AND THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN PUTTING FORTH FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
UM, AND SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING THAT HAPPEN THIS MEETING, AND HOPEFULLY AT THE NEXT MEETING THAT COULD BE SOMETHING DONE.
UM, IN PREPARATION FOR THE MEETING, UH, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I DID WANNA HIGHLIGHT IS THE ACCESSIBILITY OF THESE MEETINGS.
UM, WE ARE HAVING ACTIVE ICE RAIDS THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF LONG BEACH, AND MANY OF THOSE RAIDS ARE CAUSING FEAR, UH, AND OTHER, UH, UM, HURDLES TO JUMP THROUGH TO ACTUALLY GET COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO COME TO THESE MEETINGS.
UH, SO AGAIN, ON RECORD WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT THESE MEETINGS BE CONVERTED INTO ONLINE ACCESSIBLE TO HAVE ZOOM.
THERE ARE PLENTY OF COMMISSION MEETINGS THAT HAVE ZOOM CAPABILITIES SPECIFICALLY IN THIS SPACE.
UH, SO I WANTED TO SEE IF THAT COULD BE SOMETHING FOR AT LEAST OUR VERY LAST MEETING, UH, WHICH IS NEXT WEEK, IF NOT THE WEEK AFTERWARDS, ONCE ALL THIS PROCESS IS DONE.
UH, JUST SO THAT EVERYONE CAN GET THEIR LAST COMMENT IN AS Y'ALL ARE DELIBERATING ON THE FINAL BUDGET.
AND I KNOW THAT Y'ALL HAVE A VERY TOUGH POSITION BECAUSE THERE ARE NO ONE TIME FUNDS AVAILABLE.
Y'ALL ARE LITERALLY TAKING FROM PETER TO PAY PAUL.
IT'S A HARD, HARD POSITION TO BE IN.
AND WE APPRECIATE YOU FOR LEANING INTO THE DISCOMFORT IN MEETING THE NEEDS OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND MEETING THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO NEED THESE SUPPORT.
SO AS YOU'RE DELIBERATING THIS WEEK, AS CONVERSATIONS ARE HAPPENING, NEGOTIATIONS ARE HAPPENING, AND COMMITMENTS ARE BEING FINALIZED FOR THE FINAL BUDGET, PLEASE DO TAKE IN CONSIDERATION THE REQUESTS THAT HAVE BEEN COMING TO YOU ON A WEEKLY BASIS, UH, TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES, UH, AND WHO'S BEEN VOICING, UH, THE MOST NEEDS IN OUR CITY.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH AND, UM, SENDING BLESSINGS AS Y'ALL HAVE THESE DELIBERATIONS.
I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF LIBERTY AND I'M HERE TO PRESENT YOU ALL WITH AN UPDATE, UH, REGARDING THE RIGHT TO COUNCIL.
UM, LAST WEEK, AS I HAD MENTIONED, UM, THE CBA, THE CITY OF LONG BEACH, THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, THEY AND LALA AND LIBERTY AND THE LIBERTY HILL FOUNDATION.
WE HAD A, A BIG MEETING AND, UM, IT WAS DISCUSSED THE ROLLOVER FUND SITUATION.
UM, THE ROLLOVERS THAT, THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IS CLOSE TO 120,000.
SO THAT'S, UM, A LITTLE CLOSER TO WHAT WE HAVE BEEN SAYING, WHICH RAISES SERIOUS CONCERNS IN TERMS OF WHERE ARE THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS GONNA COME FROM.
UM, ONCE AGAIN, WE ARE REQUESTING $2 MILLION TO EXPAND THE CAPACITY OF THE STATEHOUSE DELAY PROGRAM.
UM, THIS PROGRAM HAS ALREADY DEMONSTRATED A SIGNIFICANT SUCCESS AND, UM, THIS FUND WILL HELP OFFSET SOME OF THE GAP FROM THE COUNTY.
SO WE HAD OPERATED UNDER TWO CONTRACTS IN LONG BEACH.
WE HAD THE COUNT, THE COUNTRY CON CONTRACT AND THE CITY OF LONG BEACH CONTRACT.
SO THE COUNTY IS NOW, UM, FOCUSING THEIR EFFORTS AND THEIR FUNDING IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF LA THAT MEANS THAT LONG BEACH IS NOT GONNA CONTINUE TO RECEIVE THOSE FUNDS, WHICH IS WHY I'M ASKING THE CITY OF LONG BEACH.
WE ARE ASKING THE CITY OF LONG BEACH TO PROVIDE $2 MILLION FOR THE RIGHT COUNCIL.
UM, AS YOU'LL KNOW, MEASURE A PASSED AND VOTERS ARE EXPECTING AN INCREASING SERVICES, NOT REDUCTION.
UM, FROM THE $2 MILLION THAT WE ARE ASKING, WE ARE, UM, ASKING FOR 1.5 MILLION FOR LEGAL DEFENSE AND THEN THE ADDITIONAL 500,000 WILL GO TOWARDS RENTAL ASSISTANCE WITHIN THE STATE HOUSE LA PROGRAM.
THIS RENTAL ASSISTANCE PIECE WILL HELP COVER AN, UM, WE WHAT, WHAT WE CALL SEDIMENT FUNDS.
SO IF A RENTER IS FACING EVICTION
[01:55:01]
FOR NO, NO PAYING THE RENT, WE WILL SET IT DIRECTLY WITH THE LANDLORD.AND THIS WAY WE ENSURE THAT THE RENTER CAN STAY HOUSED AND THAT THE LANDLORD GETS PAID DIFFERENTLY FROM THE NORMAL RENTAL ASSISTANCE WHERE THE MONEY CAN GO TO THE LANDLORD.
BUT WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST IS THAT OFTENTIMES THE LANDLORD WILL END UP EVICTING THE TENANTS REGARDLESS, REGARDLESS.
SO, UM, WITH THIS WE ENSURE THAT EVERYONE STAYS HAPPY.
AND UM, SO ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND UH, ECHO, UM, CHRIS CHRISTOPHER'S CONCERNS, UM, IS HAVING THESE MEETINGS ALSO.
YES, SOON BECAUSE A LOT OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WILL LIKE TO, TO TALK AND BECAUSE OF THE ACE RATES, THEY'RE VERY CONCERNED.
AND I ALSO E ECHO, UM, HIS GRATITUDE FOR YOU ALL TO GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS WITH US.
MY NAME IS CHU ELLE AND I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FIVE.
I'M HERE TO TODAY TO TALK ABOUT A LONG BEACH HEALTH DEPARTMENT PROGRAM THAT IS ENDING DUE TO THE PASSAGE OF THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL DUKE TO CUTS IN FEDERAL SNAP ED SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANT PROGRAM EDUCATION FUNDING.
THE CITY'S HEALTHY ACT LONG BEACH PROGRAM WILL END ON SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2025.
HEALTHY, ACTIVE LONG BEACH HAS BEEN A CORNERSTONE OF COMMUNITY HEALTH IN LONG BEACH FOR OVER 20 YEARS, PROVIDING FREE NUTRITION CLASSES, FOOD ACCESS, FOOD ACCESS SUPPORT, AND ACTIVE LIVING PROGRAMS ACROSS THE CITY.
HEALTHY, ACTIVE LONG BEACH WORKS CLOSELY WITH SCHOOLS, PARKS, CORNER STORES, AND COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES MORE ACCESSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE ACROSS LONG BEACH.
THE END OF THIS, THE END OF THIS PROGRAM PUTS THE FOLLOWING EFFORTS AT RISK, NO COST, NUTRITION AND COOKING EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES IN HIGH NEED SCHOOLS.
YOUTH FOCUS, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY CAMPAIGNS THAT PROMOTE, PROMOTE ACTIVE HEALTHY LIFESTYLES, HEALTHIER CORNER STORES AND MARKETS WITH IMPROVED SIGNAGE AND ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS FOODS.
INCREASED YOUTH ENGAGEMENT AT CITY PARKS THROUGH EDUCATION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAMS. CITYWIDE COORDINATION THAT ENSURES EQUITABLE ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES AND EDUCATION.
HEALTHY, ACTIVE LONG BEACH IS THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S SOLE NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM AND HAS SERVED AS THE CITY'S LEAD AGENCY FOR THE FEDERALLY FUNDED SNAP ED INITIATIVE.
HEALTHY, ACTIVE, LONG BEACH WORKED HAS WORKED TO CREATE LIST LASTING IMPROVEMENTS IN FOOD ACCESS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY THROUGHOUT, THROUGH COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP, EDUCATION AND SYSTEMIC CHANGE, ESPECIALLY TO LOW INCOME POPULATIONS.
I URGE CITY, I URGE THIS COMMITTEE TO PRIORITIZE THE HEALTH OF FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY COMMUNITIES IN LONG BEACH, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT ARE AT GREATER RISK OF OBESITY, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND TYPE TWO DAB DIABETES.
BY ALLOCATING FUNDS TO THIS COMPREHENSIVE NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT OUR RESIDENTS WITH THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO MAKE INFORMED HEALTHY CHOICES.
RIGHT NOW THE CITY HAS THE OPPORTUNITY, OPPORTUNITY TO THOUGHTFULLY CLOSE OUT THE PROGRAM AND SEEK OUT SUSTAINABILITY OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES, BUT WE NEED $30,000 TO COVER THE IMPACTS TO THE CITY'S REALIGNMENT.
MY NAME IS MICHELLE HOLGAN AND I'M THE PROGRAM MANAGER FOR HEALTHY ACTIVE LONG BEACH.
FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS HEALTHY, ACTIVE LONG BEACH HAS SUPPORTED FAMILIES ACROSS THE CITY WITH FREE EDUCATION, FOOD ACCESS, PRO PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES VERSUS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.
THROUGH THESE EFFORTS EACH YEAR WE'RE ABLE TO REACH ABOUT 30,000 RESIDENTS.
WE DO THIS WORK BY COLLABORATING WITH SCHOOLS, PARKS, CORNERS, DOORS, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO CREATE HEALTHIER ENVIRONMENTS FOR FAMILIES AND FOR YOUTH.
OUR FOCUS IS ON LONG-TERM CHANGE, WHICH INCLUDES POLICY SYSTEMS AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS THAT MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES MORE ACCESSIBLE IN EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD.
SPECIFICALLY THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE LOW POVERTY RATES, UM, INCLUDING WEST CENTRAL AND NORTH LONG BEACH.
UNFORTUNATELY DUE TO THE SNAP AND FUNDING CUTS HEALTHY ACT OF LONG BEACH WILL END ON SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2025.
IF THIS HAPPENS, LONG BEACH RESIDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY WILL LOSE FREE ACCESS TO COOKING CLASSES, NUTRITION CLASSES AS WELL FOR FAMILIES IN NEED.
YOUTH FOCUS, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAMS SLASH INTERVENTIONS TO ENCOURAGE LIFELONG HEALTHY HABITS, PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD MARKETS TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE NUTRITION FOODS.
AND LASTLY, CITYWIDE COORDINATION AND ENSURES EQUITABLE ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES AND RESOURCES AROUND NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.
WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO USE CARRYING FUNDS THAT OUR FUNDER HAS PROVIDED TO THOUGHTFULLY CLOSE OUT THE PROGRAM AND SEEK OUT SUSTAINABILITY OF ESSENTIAL RE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE.
BUT WE NEED TO COVER THE IMPACT OF REALIGNMENT IN ORDER TO MAKE THAT WORK HAPPEN.
I RESPECTFULLY ASK THE CITY COUNCIL TO
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ALLOCATE ONE TIME AMOUNT OF 30,000 TO COVER THIS IMPACT OF REALIGNMENT.AND CURRENTLY I LIVE IN LONG BEACH AND I AM PART OF THE HEALTHY, ACTIVE LONG BEACH TEAM.
HEALTHY, ACTIVE LONG BEACH HAS HAD AN IMPORTANT IMPACT ON FOLKS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
I KNOW FIRSTHAND THE IMPACT AS GROWING UP.
I ALSO BENEFITED FROM FOOD STAMPS AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS LIKE HEALTHY, ACTIVE, LONG BEACH THAT PROVIDED ESSENTIAL NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION AND IDEAS FOR A MORE ACTIVE LIFESTYLE.
LONG BEACH IS A UNIQUE CITY WITH A DIVERSE POPULATION AND A STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY THAT MAKES IT EVEN MORE IMPORTANT THAT WE INVEST IN SERVICES THAT PREVENT CHRONIC DISEASES AND PROMOTE HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES.
PROGRAMS LIKE HEALTHY, ACTIVE LONG BEACH ARE VITAL TO OUR LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES AND THEY ARE DOING THE IMPORTANT WORK IN HELPING INDIVIDUALS MAKE BETTER FOOD CHOICES, ENGAGE IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND BUILD HEALTHIER HABITS.
TODAY I'D LIKE TO JOIN MY VOICE AND ASK THAT WE ALLOCATE THE NEEDED FUNDS TO CLOSE OUT THE PROGRAM TO BEST SUNSET A 20-YEAR-OLD CITY PROGRAM.
THANK YOU DO, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I'LL CLOSE OUT THIS, UH, HONORABLE BUDGET OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.
I'M SASHI MORAR BUSINESS REP WITH THE I AM UNION.
JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE SUPPORT.
OUR MEMBERS THAT JUST SPOKE HERE DEMONSTRATES HOW DEDICATED THEY ARE TO THESE PROGRAMS, HOW IMPORTANT THEY ARE WITH THEIR SERVICE DELIVERY.
SO I THANK THEM AND I THANK YOU.
THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYBODY WHO CAME OUT TO SPEAK AND PRESENT.
AND WITH THAT, I WILL ADJOURN THE MEETING 58 MINUTES EARLY.
UH, WE'LL NEED IT 'CAUSE WE GONNA BE A COUNCIL LONG TIME.