The Texas Legislature in 1995 designated zip code 77506, which encompasses the Pasadena apartment community of Southwest Houston, as one of 15 zip codes in the State of Texas with the highest rates of juvenile crime. This qualified the densely populated area to receive funding under the provisions of the state’s Community Youth Development Program. The statewide initiative allocated over $20 million for programs designed to reduce juvenile crime. The program is administered by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS) with Harris County serving as the fiscal agent for the local program. A CYD Collaborative Committee of residents, community members, business leaders, and local service providers represent the interests of the community.
The borders of Pasadena stretch from Galveston Bay to the city limits of Houston. With a strong industrial base, the city saw a population of 141,229 during the year 2004 with Hispanics representing 76.6%. The city operates under a Mayor-Council form of government with a mayor and eight council members responsible for enacting legislation, adopting budgets, and determining the policies of the city. Of the eight (8) city districts, District A (which includes the CYD target zip code area) has a total population of 18,069 as of 2007.
Demographic information specific to 77506 can be found at http://www.zip-codes.com. Type in 77506 in the “FREE ZIP code Finder” box and hit “Search.”
The CYD service area encompasses a northern section of the city of Pasadena, which has a high number of apartment complexes, and has been identified by the Texas Legislature as a high-risk area for the youth in the community. The most important outcomes of the Pasadena Youth Development Program are to alleviate the family and community conditions that lead to juvenile crime. Previous procurement for this grant met many of the priorities identified by the community as needed to prevent juvenile delinquency in Pasadena (77506). Priorities for services which were identified by the community and still need to be procured are listed in the “Guiding Philosophy” section of this RFP. The goal of lowering juvenile delinquency in this community will be accomplished by developing and institutionalizing prevention programs which embody the priorities and philosophy listed in this document.
Guiding Philosophy
- Identifies and impacts those most at risk.
- Empowers, builds skills, raises self-esteem, develops character and leadership skills, and forges positive relationships to enhance the participants’ quality of life.
- Each participant is afforded the opportunity to become proficient in or excel at one or more skills or activities.
- Teaches and models personal responsibility, non-violent problem solving, respect for others, and civic responsibility.
- Identifies and recognizes positive achievements of all participants.
- Actively promotes linkage and involvement between the parent, child, program and community.
- Provides multiple windows to expand horizons of personal responsibility.
- Provides positive role modeling, one-on-one interaction, nurturing, and encouragement for children and families to reach their potential.
As indicated in the Scoring Tool (Attachment m), the Pasadena Review Committee will give preference to programs that:
1. Target youth aged ten (10) to seventeen (17) who reside in 77506
2. Are community-based and include families as part of the decision-making process.
3. Are coordinated and easy to access.
4. Are culturally competent and responsive to the cultural, ethnic, and linguistic differences of the populations they serve.
5. Incorporate truancy prevention programming as a major portion of their services.
6. Incorporate a curriculum of youth programming as a major portion of their services.
7. Promote community investment by utilizing trained volunteers.
8. Demonstrate accountability for youth, families, community, and funding agency.
9. Prove the majority of costs are directed toward youth and families.
10. Provide services to youth and families living within 77506 boundaries during the Summer Break.
Ineligible Projects/Activities/Services:
- Legal assistance programs
- Employment agency fees
- Extensive community planning processes
- Purchase of real estate
- Construction of new buildings
- Boxing Programs
- Entertainment activities or field trips that do not specify how the activity will increase knowledge or skills for the youth involved, with the goal of lowering juvenile delinquency
- Teen pregnancy prevention programs
- Stand-alone substance abuse prevention programs. NOTE: Proposals may seek to expand or strengthen an existing substance abuse prevention program in 77506 that has published evidence linking the results to lowering juvenile delinquency.
- Fund raising events (for clarification, see Attachment o, PEI 09-002)
- Lobbying for the passage or defeat of any legislation, elections, or administrative reform (for clarification, see Attachment p, PEI 09-003)
- Snacks provided during activities, programming, etc. (For clarification, see Attachment r, CYD Guidelines for Allowable Food Costs)
Excerpted from Harris County Request for Proposal Job No. 17/0047.