San Francisco Youth Commission
Minutes
Monday, October 21, 2013
5:15pm-8:00pm
City Hall, Room 416
1. Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl.
San Francisco, CA 94102

There will be public comment on each item.

Jina Bae, Anna Bernick, Joshua Cardenas, Sophie Edelhart, Monica Flores, Ramon Gomez, Michelle Kong, DeAsia Landrum, Michel Li, Lily Marshall-Fricker, Nicholas Persky, Luisa Sicairos, Angel Van Stark, Eric Wu, Joyce Wu, Ariel Yu

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

The meeting was called to order at 5:17 pm. Commissioners present: Bae, Bernick, Cardenas, Edelhart, Flores, Gomez, Kong, Landrum, Li, Marshall-Fricker, Persky, Sicairos, Van Stark, Joyce Wu, Eric Wu, Yu

Commissioners absent: None.

There was quorum.

Staff present: Adele Carpenter, Allen Lu

2. Approval of Agenda (Action Item)

Commissioner Van Stark, seconded by commissioner Gomez, moved to approve the agenda. This motion was approved by acclamation.

There was no public comment.

3. Approval of Minutes (Action Item)

A. October 7, 2013
(Document A)

Commissioner Landrum seconded by Commissioner Joyce Wu, moved to approve the minutes from October 7, 2013. This motion was approved by acclamation. There was no public comment.

4. Public Comment on Items not on Agenda (Discussion Only)

There was none.

5. Consent Calendar (Action Item

All items hereunder constitutes a Consent Calendar. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Commissioner so requests. In that event, the item will be removed from the Consent Calendar and considered as a separate item immediately following the vote on the rest of the items.

There were no items on the consent calendar.

6. Legislation Referred from the Board of Supervisors (All Items to Follow Discussion and Possible Action)

There was no legislation referred.

7. Presentations (All Items to Follow Discussion and Possible Action)

A. Presentation on the Department of Children, Youth, and their Families (DCYF), the Children’s Amendment, Children’s Fund, and the Youth Empowerment Fund (YEFAB)
Presenters: Maria Su, Director, DCYF; and Prishni Murillo, Policy & Program Planner, YEF, DCYF
(Documents B, C)

Prishni Murillo explained that the DCYF Director, Maria Su, was out sick and hoped to join at another time.

The Mission of DCYF is to ensure that families with children are a prominent and valued segment of the City’s social fabric. It is one of the few departments in the country dedicated to youth issues. One major goal of the department is to retain families with children in the city. They are guided by a three year process related to the children’s amendment. Year one involves a community needs assessment. Year two involves developing a Children’s Services Allocation Plan. Year three involves the department conducting a request for proposals. This year, the department is set to produce a community needs assessment and will be seeking feedback from the youth commission. This year is a notable year because the children’s fund is set to expire in 2015, part way through this upcoming three year cycle.

The department has developed strategic funding service areas: Early Care and Education; Out of School Time (K-8); Violence Prevention and Intervention; Foundational Support (Family Support, Health and Nutrition, Beacon Centers); and Youth Leadership and Development (Workforce Development, Specialized Teen, Youth Empowerment Fund). The funding amounts to about sixty million dollars including the children’s fund and state and federal grants.

In 1989, then Mayor Agnos created a Mayor’s office on Children and Youth. In 1991, voters passed the children’s amendment which created a steady stream of funding for children, youth, and family services. As a result, then Mayor Brown turned the Mayor’s Office into a full City department. In 2000, the Children’s Amendment was renewed by voters and established an advisory committee and the Youth Empowerment Fund.

The Children’s Fund is based on a portion of property taxes: $0.03 per $100 of assessed value. The current fund will be in effect until June 2015. It must be reapproved by voters. It will go on a ballot in 2014.

There are community meetings related to the reauthorization of the children’s fund and the public education enrichment fund. Ms. Murillo invited commissioners to attend the upcoming community meetings with Our Children, Our City taking place in Western Addition/Civic Center/Fillmore, Richmond/Sunset, Bayview/Hunter’s Point/Excelsior, Mission/Potrero/SOMA, Chinatown/North Beach in early November.

Commissioner Van Stark asked a clarifying question about how the parcel tax is calculated. Ms. Murillo explained that it is based on the home price at the time of purchase, and that the set aside is based on the total amount that comes to the City each year from property taxes.

Ms. Murillo explained that the Youth Empowerment Fund is based on the idea that youth should be in the forefront of decision making about their needs and services. It is comprised of 3% of the total Children’s fund. The idea came from youth agitating for more voice in decision making in community based organizations. The Youth Empowerment Fund Advisory Board was created to advise and direct the Youth Empowerment Fund. The YEF is celebrating its ten year anniversary this year. This year, the three year cycle for the Youth Philanthropy and Youth Organizing granting programs begins.

The YEF seeks to build the youth development field of DCYF to support more youth-led projects. They also aim to promote the continuum of youth engagement in community change and connect and celebrate youth leaders citywide.

This year CHALK’s Youth Funding Youth Ideas and Youth Leadership Institute’s BLING program were funded through the Youth Philanthropy granting program. This year Youth in Power (POWER), Common Roots (PODER and CPA), Campaign Academy (CCDC), 67 Suenos (AFSC), Project WHAT (Community Works), and New Era (Mission SF) were all funded through the Youth Organizing granting program.

The YEF’s programs include youth leadership and advocacy programs (YEFAB, Youth Warriors Fellowship, DCYF’s Youth Advisory Council, Youth Vote); Mini Grants; Youth Events and Support for Adult Allies (Youth Advocacy Day, Youth on Fire Cohort Trainings, Partnership with Movement Strategy Center).

YEFAB opens applications for its twelve youth seats at the end of the school year in Spring. Youth Warriors are sixteen young people nominated by community based organizations. They receive leadership training on public speaking, facilitation, and city politics. They host Youth Advocacy Day and host a trip to the state capitol.

The Youth Advisory Council is made up of youth from other Youth Advisory bodies in the city, including the Youth Commission, and promotes collaboration among youth leadership bodies.

Youth Vote provides students an opportunity to experience voting and administrates the student delegate election and student survey. The student survey is available at: www.yefsf.org/youthvote.html. The last nine years of Youth Vote are being evaluated and findings will be available in January. The evaluators would like to include youth feedback in the Youth Vote evaluation. The program should be relaunched by Fall 2014.

Ms. Murillo welcomed further questions.

Commissioner Eric Wu asked whether there were considerations about including transitional age youth in the YEFAB granting process. Ms. Murillo explained that the YEF funds are restricted by stipulations of the children’s fund, which apply to youth under eighteen.

Commissioner Sicairos asked whether Youth Vote would be expanded to private and charter schools.

Ms. Murillo explained the evaluators were considering this question, and that the scope and reach would need to be considered. The evaluator will give recommendations on this subject.

Commissioner Kong explained she had been collaborating with teachers to distribute Youth Vote surveys. She has received feedback from teachers that they would like more notice before distribution so that it can be explained more clearly. She suggested developing a curriculum to teach students about Youth Vote so that they understand the project more clearly.

Ms. Murillo affirmed that she would like to follow up with Commissioner Kong on this issue, as outreach to teachers has been challenging, but is necessary.

Commissioner Sicairos asked how many youth had responded to Youth Vote surveys.

Ms. Murillo explained that seven thousand of the ten thousand surveys distributed were responded to.

Commissioner Kong asked whether the Youth Commission could meet the Youth Vote evaluation group.

Ms. Murillo said the department would welcome the opportunity to collaborate, if the contract with the evaluators allows, and that the DCYF staff would like to present the results of the evaluation to the commission. She confirmed she would send a link for the evaluation survey to youth commission staff.

There was no public comment.

Chairman Persky thanked the presenter and explained that DCYF is likely the most important department related to the youth commission’s work.

B. Presentation and Request for Support with the Recruitment Process for the San Francisco Human Rights Commission’s Equity Advisory Committee
Sponsor and Presenter: Zoe Polk, Policy Coordinator, Policy and Social Justice Division of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission
(Documents D, E)

Zoe Polk thanked the commissioners for their time. The Human Rights Commission enforces the City’s non-discrimination clause. They advise the Mayor and Board of Supervisors on non-discrimination issues. The commission has two committees: The LGBT advisory committee and the Equity Advisory Committee formed in 2009. The Equity Advisory committee is tasked with advising the commission on determinants of equity.

The EAC has 2-3 subcommittees that focus on particular areas. One subcommittee is focusing on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, and the “Safe at Work” committee that looks at working conditions for immigrant and low income women. The full Human Rights Commission supported the call for DACA day. The Safe at Work committee will be holding an event on November 7th and would welcome co-sponsorship from the Youth Commission.

Ms. Polk gave an overview of the attached application for the Equity Advisory Committee. She requested support from commissioners in reaching out to other community leaders who might be interested in this type of civic service.

Commissioner Yu thanked the presenter and asked whether youth are also part of the EAC.

Ms. Polk explained that the only requirement for application is being a San Francisco resident and attendance, and that Paul Monge-Rodriguez, a former youth commissioner, served the previous year.

Commissioner Van Stark asked what type of mentality and concerns the EAC members have.

Ms. Polk explained the EAC is a platform for people who want to see issues in their neighborhoods addressed. She explained that it is a great place for those with an understanding of the public process and policy change.

Commissioner Van Stark suggested reaching out to Larkin Street Youth Services youth.

Commissioner Bernick asked how often the EAC meets.

Ms. Polk explained that the EAC meets monthly on Wednesdays and the sub-committee meeting frequencies are determined by the sub-committees.

Commissioner Li asked whether the EAC only works on the issues represented on the two issue-based committees, or whether they work on more general issues.

Ms. Polk explained that the public occasionally brings other issues forward that EAC members will work on.

Commissioner Kong asked when the term begins and ends.

Ms. Polk explained it begins in January and ends in December. The members can renew three times. This year there are 9-10 slots open.

There was no public comment.

Chairman Persky asked whether there are commissioners who are interested in serving on the EAC. Commissioners Kong and Flores were interested.

Commissioner Sicairos and Commissioner Van Stark were willing to help send the applications to community organizations they are in touch with.

C. Presentation on San Francisco Bridge to Success Initiative & invitation to kick off summit on Friday, November 8th, 2013
Presenters: Bryant Tan, Senior Planner & Policy Analyst, DCYF

The presenter was out sick and was the item was tabled.

8. Youth Commission Business (All Items to Follow Discussion and Possible Action)

A. Community Outreach and Media & Public Relations Officers Proposal
Presenters: Allen Lu, Coordinator of Community Outreach and Civic Engagement; Commissioner Landrum, Community Outreach Officer; and Commissioner VanStark, Media & Public Relations Officer (First Reading)
(Document F)

Staff member, Allen Lu, explained that the proposal was in process and the team was seeking feedback from the commission before adoption.

The team had brainstormed around the vision, measures of success, and methods of approach. Commissioner Landrum explained that the vision for the outreach plan is to be real, down to earth, and interactive. The goal is to teach how to think, rather than what to think.

Commissioner Van Stark explained that the team would like to measure the impact of the outreach using facebook likes, website visits, and video virality.

Commissioner Landrum explained that the one method of outreach will be through school sites, targeting social studies classes on youth advocacy issues. The commissioners will reach youth through CBO’s with curriculum specific to CBO interests. Many grassroots policy issues begin within CBO organizing efforts.

Commissioner Van Stark suggested doing door to door outreach. He tried a pilot and found people were not interested in being spoken to at their doors. He affirmed he is really interested in making sure there is a broad outreach strategy that lets city residents know about youth issues. He would like to see a youth outreach team made of CBO’s outreach staff and volunteers. He would like to create more reusable content on issues and the commission in general through video: introductory videos, committee videos, specialized videos (ie, registering to vote), issue videos, etc.

Allen Lu explained the commission would continue giving City Hall tours and holding off-site full Commission meetings.

Commissioner Van Stark explained he is piloting a youth townhall with Supervisor Wiener in January, and would like the commission to consider having district and citywide townhalls. Commissioner Landrum explained that the idea is for the townhalls be by and for youth, be activity-based, and last half a day.

Commissioner Van Stark explained a part of the proposal includes a strong social media presence.

Commissioner Gomez explained that he liked the door to door idea and the focus on video.

Commissioner Sicairos said she does not like the door to door idea. She has done it with other organizations. Many people will not open the door and do not like young people. She said she liked the video idea and thinks creating multi-lingual videos would be a good idea. She explained she liked the youth townhall idea and that it would work well for the education committee. She said the commission should consider offering multilingual tours.

Commissioner Edelhart asked whether the commission would consider outreach in private schools. Commissioner Landrum said that, yes, the commission should consider going to private schools.

Commissioner Bernick said she agreed with Commissioner Sicairos that there should not be door to door outreach. She asked how younger children will engage a city hall tour.

Commissioner Van Stark explained that a lot of people did not like door to door outreach when he tried it out. He asked for other ideas for increasing youth outreach.

Commissioner Kong invited the team to come present at her school in Galileo. She said she would want to make sure there was a safety plan with door to door outreach.

Commissioner Li explained she had never had this type of presentation at her school, and asked clarifying questions about how the presentation would work practically. Commissioner Van Stark explained that it would function like a guest speaker scenario, but more interactively.

Commissioner Yu asked how school outreach would work during school hours. Commissioner Van Stark explained that high school students could focus on government clubs or afterschool groups.

Commissioner Bae suggested making announcements during school-wide assemblies.

B. Motion to support and co-sponsor Youth Advocacy Day 2014
Sponsor and presenter: Commissioner Landrum
(Document G)

Commissioner Landrum shared a short video from the Department of Children, Youth and Their Families website on the 2013 Youth Advocacy Day event. She explained that 7 supervisors and several Board of Education commissioners joined in the event last year. The motion was read into the public record by Commissioner Landrum. She explained that the commitment for youth leaders is to participate in a Saturday youth leader training. Youth leaders plan the agendas for their own groups with their co-facilitators and adult allies. The event will be held Wednesday, March 19th.

Commissioner Joyce Wu asked whether private school students could attend. Commissioner Landrum said she would research the question, but that private school students can participate as youth leaders.

Commissioner Kong gave feedback about the permission slip for SFUSD students. Commissioner Bernick asked whether students would be excused from class the entire day. Commissioner Landrum explained that it is a day-long activity. Commissioner Bernick suggested reaching out to student council members.

There was no public comment.

Commissioner Landrum affirmed she would like the commission to take a position tonight since she would not be present November 4th and would like to be able to answer commissioners’ questions.

Chair Persky reminded his colleagues that as a best practice, the commission only considers items that are time-sensitive and non-controversial for adoption upon first reading.

Commissioner Gomez explained that being a youth leader at the event is extremely fun.

Commissioners Cardenas, Bernick, Li, Edelhart, Sicairos, Gomez, Persky, Kong, Joyce Wu, Flores, and Eric Wu, expressed interest in participating in and helping with Youth Advocacy Day.

Commissioner Gomez, seconded by Commissioner Edelhart, moved to suspend the bylaws to allow adoption of the motion upon first reading. This motion to suspend was approved unanimously by a roll call vote. Commissioner Van Stark, seconded by Commissioner Marshall-Fricker, moved to approve the original motion and sponsor 2014 Youth Advocacy Day. The motion was approved by acclamation.

There was no public comment.

4. Public Comment on Items not on Agenda (Discussion Only)

At this time, the chair reopened public comment for items not on the agenda and welcomed a member of the public, Marc Robert Wong, to speak.

Marc Robert Wong explained that he is working on a Fall conference November 14th through 16th with Teen Tech SF, focused on introducing youth to science and tech. He asked for support creating awareness about the event by posting it to the Youth Commission event calendar. He underscored the importance of having a broad reach to diverse communities.

Chairman Persky explained that the Youth Commission could not take a formal position since it was not agendized. He recommended reaching out to the Student Advisory Council for help with outreach.

Commissioner Van Stark thanked the commenter for his efforts and community work.

Staff member, Allen Lu, explained that the youth commission office could put the event on facebook, the YC event calendar, and newsletter.

There was no further public comment.

9. Staff Report (Discussion Only)

At this time, the chair resumed the normal agenda and called for staff report.

Staff member, Adele Carpenter, invited commissioners to join community members at Free MUNI for Youth Lobby Day at City Hall Thursday afternoon. She reminded commissioners to reach out to their appointing officials for meetings. She invited commissioners’ to the Peer Resources “Youth Are Resources” Conference, November 22nd. Commissioners Kong, Bernick, Landrum, Sicairos, Van Stark, and Gomez were interested in the conference. Ms. Carpenter asked committee chairs to attend a committee chair training on Friday evening. She asked which commissioners would be interested in helping out with the Junior States Foundation youth symposium on November 8th. Commissioners Cardenas, Kong, Joyce Wu, and Edelhart were interested. Ms. Carpenter closed her report by congratulating Commissioner Cardenas on all of his hard work revamping the Legislative Affairs Officer position as the commission takes on more legislation referred.

Staff member, Allen Lu, invited commissioners to the Children’s Fund Community Coalition Town Hall on Tuesday. He invited commissioners to participate in a meeting with delegates from Tomodachi on November first. Commissioners Kong and Flores were interested. Mr. Lu invited commissioners to help with an interview of a District 10 youth commissioner on Friday. He reminded commissioners to fill out their activity logs, and reminded them they can request presentations from city departments and community organizations by letting the executive committee know. He reminded commissioners to email bios to staff for the webpage and informed commissioners that he would be out of the office for a training Tuesday-Thursday, and that Phimy Truong would be out next week.

10. Committee Reports (Discussion Only)

A. Executive Committee, Vice Chair Michelle Kong, Legislative Affairs Officer Joshua Cardenas, Outreach Officer DeAsia Landrum, Media & Public Relations Officer Angel VanStark

Commissioner Kong explained the committee would like issue-based committees to make a plan for the term so that the executive committee can determine how to best support committees. Commissioner Cardenas explained that legislation would be referred at the upcoming meeting and that Commissioner Wu is reaching out to his Supervisor’s office regarding Ellis Act legislation.

B. Youth Justice Committee, Chair Sophie Edelhart

Commissioner Edelhart explained that the committee had received a presentation from Success Center SF.

C. Immigration & Employment Committee, Chair Michel Li

Commissioner Li explained that the committee had researched organizations that work with immigrant youth.

D. Education, Health & Wellness Committee, Chair Ariel Yu

Commissioner Yu explained the committee had had a presentation from SFUSD Wellness Centers. The committee is looking forward to getting SAC representatives.

E. TAY, Housing, and LGBT issues Committee, Chair Eric Wu

Commissioner Wu explained there had been no meeting because of the holiday, but that a 12N issue meeting would be taking place on Tuesday.

F. Youth Advisory Council, Representative Joyce Wu

Commissioner Joyce Wu explained that the YAC had learned about the mini grant process and had had a retreat with other youth leader bodies.

G. Children’s Fund Stakeholder Council, Commissioner Eric Wu

The Mayor and Superintendent convened a stakeholder council on the Children’s Fund and PEEF, and Eric Wu is representing the Youth Commission. The group recently facilitated a focus group with youth leaders from around the city. There are several community input sessions coming up in November.

11. Attendance Authorizations (Action Item)

A. DeAsia Landrum for 11/4/2013 meeting

Commissioner Landrum explained that she needed to visit a family member in South Carolina. She requested consideration of authorization of her absence. Commissioner Gomez motioned to authorize the absence. Commissioner Bernick seconded the motion. The motion was passed by acclamation.

There was no public comment.

B. Explanation of Michelle Kong’s absence on 10/7/2013 (not requesting authorization)

Commissioner Kong explained she was absent because her grandfather was in critical condition, and that he did end up passing away. Commissioners offered condolences.

12. Announcements (This Includes Community Events)

Commissioner Kong invited commissioners to an event November 20th at DCYF for International Girl’s Day. Commissioner Landrum informed commissioners about the mini-granting opportunities through the Youth Empowerment Fund.

13. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 pm.