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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-06-104 - Program & Resource Services - 2006 Summer Program Update ) R Community Services Report To: Date of Meeting: Submitted By: Community Services Committee October 2, 2006 Prepared By: Mark Hildebrand, Interim Director, Community Programs and Services (ext 2687) Deb Campbell, Interim Manager, Program and Resource Services All Ward(s) Involved: Date of Report: Report No.: Subject: September 20, 2006 CSD-06-104 PROGRAM AND RESOURCE SERVICES - 2006 SUMMER PROGRAM UPDATE RECOMMENDATION: For information only. Background: Program and Resource Services, a division of the Community Services Department, is responsible for the provision of programs and services in the areas of Summer Playgrounds, Outdoor Winter Rinks, Youth Leadership, Inclusion, Youth and Adults 50+. A significant portion of the programs that are facilitated by this staff team are designed for children and youth and operate during the summer months. While the goals include the provision of high quality, affordable programs, it is important to note the larger impacts that the delivery of these programs have on our community. Annually, more than 5000 children ages 3 - 13 participate in summer programs. As they mature, these children continue to be involved, first in playgrounds programs, followed by summer youth drop-in, leadership development opportunities such as BYLD and KY AC, and eventually into summer employment within the Community Services Department. This continuity and progression provides an opportunity for young people in our community to become and remain engaged, first in recreation programs and progressively in positions of leadership. This engagement process impacts and enriches the lives of children and youth by broadening their life experiences and skill development. Our summer programming contributes to the development of children and youth who will become our community leaders of tomorrow. The following provides a general overview and review of the 2006 summer programs offered through Program and Resource Services. CSD-06-104 Page 2 REPORT: Summer Playgrounds: In 2006, over 5000 children participated in Summer Playground programs over 6 weeks at 36 locations across the City. This program is designed for 3 different age groups; Preschool (3 to 5 years), Junior (6 to 8 years) and Adventure (9 to 12 years), with some adventure locations offering programs up to age 13. At community centres, schools, parks and churches, Summer Playgrounds offer children between the ages of 3 and 13 an opportunity to enjoy fun, affordable, quality programs in their neighbourhood. The programs are offered by a summer staff team comprised of 1 00 leaders and 11 coordinators, who ensure a safe and entertaining day camp experience. Parent volunteer committees assist with the operation of this program by providing recommendations and suggestions for programming activities and enhancements. As importantly, they provide a link to the community and neighbourhood in which the playground is operating. Volunteers also assist in the staff Group Interview Process. In 2006 the summer playground program provided fee assistance to 124 children at a total cost of $2,727 to the City of Kitchener, compared to 73 children at a total cost of $2,136 in 2005. The cost of fee assistance is shared between the City of Kitchener and the National Child Benefit program. In 2006, NCB contributed $4,869 to allow all children in the community to access summer playground programs. This system of cost sharing fee assistance was introduced in 2005, and continues to be successful in supporting children and families to attend summer playgrounds. Summer playground programs continue to be both popular and in demand. The junior aged full day program offered for the 3rd year in district 6 filled during the 15t hour of mass registration for the full summer. In a full day program, the lunch time is supervised and there are extended hours of supervision in the morning and late afternoon to accommodate working parents. The program will be offered again in 2007. A general standardization of pricing for all Summer Playground programs (with some exceptions based on demographics) has been implemented. Staff and parent committees recommended the following price structure for 2004 to 2006: Year Half Day Program Full Day Program 9 :30-11 :30am 9 :30 - 11 :30am and 1 :00 - 3:30pm (child goes home during lunch hour) 2004 $12 per week $21 per week 2005 $14 per week (16.60/0 $23 per week (9.50/0 increase) increase) 2006 $15 per week (7.10/0 $25 per week (8.60/0 increase) increase) The full day program with lunch supervision and before and after program supervision was offered from 8:30 am - 5:00pm at a cost of $60 per week. A recommendation has been made to hold the current rates for 2007 to maintain the affordability of the programs to the community. CSD-06-104 Page 3 Drama School Drama School is a fun and innovative summer program for youth aged 1 0 - 16, offered through a partnership between the City of Kitchener Community Services Department, J.M. Drama and the Registry Theatre. This program offers participants the opportunity to learn, create and experience all areas of theatre and dramatic arts. During each of the two 3-week sessions, participants wrote their own plays, created and constructed sets, learned lighting and sound design, made costumes and performed their work for a live audience. In 2006, sessions were offered for children ages 1 0 - 12, and youth ages 13 - 16. This resulted in an increase in attendance at the programs, both of which were well received. It's All About YOUth Camp This two week program was, once again, extremely successful in providing an opportunity for youth ages 12 - 17 with a disability to participate in community programs and services. Activities offered during this time included swimming, crafts, life skills, community awareness and discussion of current events. There was full participation in this program and a waiting list was generated due to the demand and need for such a program. Future plans for this program are to enhance the partnership development potential so as to increase and improve upon the successes and program delivery. Every Kid Counts Every Kid Counts is a program offered by Inclusion Services, City of Kitchener in partnership with KidsLink. Since 1998, this program has provided exceptional support to children and youth with a disability enabling their participation in municipal summer programs and camps in Kitchener and Waterloo. Over the past 8 years, this program has effectively provided individual support to close to 1000 children and youth with a disability. Every Kid Counts continues to be a popular and much needed service. With the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA) legislation, community members are becoming more aware of their rights, and are better able to advocate for their needs. Additional staff resources were utilized to capacity in 2006, yet a waiting list for service still existed. It is anticipated that 2007 will see additional growth in the demand and need for services. Building Youth Leadership Development Program (BYLD) BYLD (formerly Youth in Motion) is a leadership development program for youth aged 13 to 15. Participants receive training in leadership development, communication, team building, program planning and conflict resolution. Participants also receive a 2-week placement where they can apply their skills at a Summer Playground or Breithaupt Camp program. In 2006, 93 participants were involved in this program and contributed over 5,074 hours of volunteer service. At minimum wage, this represents a value of $39,323 provided to the playground and camp programs. This year we recruited 750/0 first year BYLD participants. Over 50 BYLD participants received their high school community service hours for their placement. In 2006, BYLD participants provided support to 7 children with a disability attending playgrounds and day camps. The BYLD participants working with children with special needs receive enhanced training. CSD-06-104 Page 4 Summer Youth Drop-in, After-5 Pre-teen Program and Doon Skatium Mobile Skatepark Rooted in the Search Institute Developmental Assets Approach, the City of Kitchener summer youth programs focus on helping to build Developmental Assets through recreation and leisure opportunities. These assets are enhanced through building positive relationships, experiences, and inner strengths and are needed by all young people to lead healthy, caring, and responsible lives. The greater the numbers of developmental assets experienced by young people, the more positive and successful their development. The fewer the number of assets present, the greater the possibility that youth will engage in risky behaviours such as substance abuse, unsafe sex, and crime. There were over 4500 youth visits to the nine(9) Youth Drop-In centres this year. Approximately 800 different youth accessed Youth Drop-in, After-5 for participants ages 8-14, 18 Plus and Doon Skatium over the course of the summer. Of particular significance was the piloting of the Youth Drop-in 18 plus program at the Downtown Community Centre. Some centres had an average of 20 - 25 youth per night in attendance, participating in basketball, floor hockey, dodge ball, cards, cooking, baking, crafts, playing and listening to music, board games, talking to the leaders and planning special outings, "hanging out" with friends and having fun. Special events brought together youth from across the city to the Stanley Park Community Centre for a 3 on 3 basketball tournament, to watch and participate in a slam dunk competition at the Downtown Community Centre and to a youth-organized concert at DPPCC where 4 local youth bands played and over 120 youth, adults and children attended. Other smaller events included the Amazing Race, YDI Soccer tournament, City Wide Girls night, a trip to Laser Quest and outings to the movies and bowling. Resilient children and youth typically have caring adults present and active in their lives. The City of Kitchener hired staff to fill this role with consistency and long-term support. Over half of the thirty five staff hired was returning staff, five others had previous work experience within Centres or working with Neighbourhood Associations; five were new to the Centres and the City. Considerations for 2007 are: a) maintain a minimal fee structure for YDI b) identify means to attract additional candidates for staffing c) encourage innovative programming through provision of adequate planning time A community where youth have the space, support and freedom to play, create and develop personal and social responsibility and connections tends to experience less crime, more post secondary graduations and a higher quality of life. Investing in these programs is an investment in our communities as a whole and consistent with the City of Kitchener quality of life agenda. CSD-06-104 Paae 5 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The City of Kitchener is recognized for its financial contribution to affordable summer programs and for its investment in our community's children and youth. As the community continues to grow, both in population and in neighbourhoods, staff will review and present options for balancing the delivery of levels of service with requirements for addition of sites, programs and services. In 2006, one additional playground site, and two new youth drop-in sites were developed to respond to community growth. CONCLUSION: The provision of affordable, neighbourhood-based programming for children and youth is essential to the health of the community and the provision of service for all residents. The City of Kitchener continues to be a leader in the provision of programs that support the development and well-being of children, youth and families in our community. Mark Hildebrand, Interim Director Community Programs and Services Community Services Department AP