Youth Success Advisory Working Group Resolution

This discussion topic was requested by Council Member Thom Druffel concerning his resolution to request that the Mayor establish a working group to develop and coordinate youth success strategies and agree on a permanent coordinating mechanism.

From CM Druffel: 

Colleagues, 

I am sponsoring a resolution filed today, 3/11, for our Council Meeting on 3/18 to request the Mayor establish a working group to develop and coordinate youth success strategies and agree on a permanent coordinating mechanism.

The resolution requests funding for a Gap Analysis to examine data on youth populations, employment, and key social determinants to identify neighborhood patterns and discrepancies as part of the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget. A proposal is ready.

I have outlined a call to action with opportunities to significantly impact our youth. Your support is appreciated!

Thom

Youth that are at risk of meeting their potential

Assumes 15,000 high school students in MNPS schools.

• Youth Justice: 1,500/year, 10 Years- 15,000 
• Non-graduates: 713/year (19% of seniors), 10 years- 7,130
• Dropouts: 1,200 (8% of all high school students), 10 years-12,000
• Immigrants needing language support: 24,000 (30% of 80,000 total students), 10 years 240,000.
• Students below grade level in reading and math by 3rd grade: A long-term success metric

• Students who drop out are 8 times more likely to go to prison and not eligible for 90% of new jobs.
  • Third-grade students below grade level in math present challenges for incremental improvement and long-term success.

Call to Action

The number of young people not reaching their full potential is significant, extending into the thousands. Including future generations, this number reaches into tens of thousands.

• Evidence-based results indicate that youth summer and after-school programs can enhance school outcomes and reduce youth justice involvement by 20%. Successful programs integrate activities that encompass holistic skills, academic improvements, and career exploration.
• Enhanced youth success greatly benefits the social and economic fabric of Nashville.
• Given the variability in funding sources, it is crucial to diversify and expand these sources while optimizing program delivery by leveraging opportunities with industry partners, workforce initiatives and collaborating with non-profits.
• Currently, programs face a shortage of partnerships and employers for the upcoming summer. We must construct a long-term sustainable model addressing current needs and incorporating best practices for future generations. By coordinating efforts and aligning stakeholders, we can positively impact the lives of thousands of our youth.
• The initial steps involve developing a coordinating mechanism to strategize for sustainable programming growth across MNPS, Metro Dept of Youth Safety, Director of Youth and Children initiatives, NAZA and Power Youth Dept and other youth programs. There are opportunities to bridge youth initiatives in career exploration with Nashville State and TCAT. Two former youth initiatives and studies. Mayor Dean in 2010 and Mayor Cooper in 2023 provide a strong framework with evidence-based strategies.
• Conduct a gap analysis that would identify youth population patterns, employment trends, and key social determinants at the neighborhood level will highlight disparities and inform targeted interventions.
• As Martin Luther King Jr. emphasized in his book *Why We Can’t Wait*, there is an urgency to address our youth's needs immediately. Every day we delay results in more of our youth not realizing their full potential.

More information can be found at the following Sharepoint: https://metronashville.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/MCO/EnCu2KfX_cJFg3tlHaDmLXQBhiLmbtLV8GBmahFITgbyzw?e=Sa5vPa