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RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS AND FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO FUND SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS

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WHEREAS, there are over four million youths between the ages of 15 and 19 living in the State of Florida, according to the United States Census Bureau statistics (2014); and
WHEREAS, youth benefit from summer employment in numerous ways, including (1) increasing motivation, self-confidence and responsibility, (2) improving academic performance, and social and emotional development (3) developing good work habits, interpersonal skills, organizational skills, time management skills, and career goals, (4) gaining work experience, (5) establishing connections that may prove useful throughout their lives, and (6) supplementing family income; and
WHEREAS, early employment experiences offer unique opportunities for at-risk youth who may not otherwise be afforded a chance to be a part of and contribute to a productive work environment while earning money and learning skills; and
WHEREAS, according to a 2013 report by the Center for Labor Market Studies, youth who participate in summer employment programs have higher graduation and employment rates, increased wages later in life, and are less likely than their peers to engage in risky behaviors, such as drug and alcohol use, violent behavior and crimes; and
WHEREAS, a recent study concluded that a �summer plus� job program for at-risk kids, which included mentoring and counseling, resulted in a 51 percent drop in arrests for violent crimes in the Chicago area; and
WHEREAS, during the summer of 2015, Miami-Dade County (the �County�) provided $1 million dollars in funding for the Summer Youth Employment Program for Younger Youth (�Summer Youth Employment Program�), which will also be funded for the summer of 2016; and
WHEREAS, the Summer Youth Employment Program lasted seven weeks and paired at-risk youth between the ages of 14 to 17 who resided in certain zip codes in the County with employers; there were approximately 300 participants who worked a minimum of 20 hours a week and were paid $8.50 per hour; and
WHEREAS, additionally, the County has partnered with The Children�s Trust and Miami-Dade County Public Schools to fund a program for summer youth employment during the summer of 2016; and
WHEREAS, the summer program for youth employment developed by the County, Miami-Dade County Public Schools and The Children�s Trust aims to employ up to 1,300 students for a maximum of six weeks to work 30 hours per week at minimum wage; and
WHEREAS, early employment experiences, such as those gained through summer employment, cultivate the next generation of qualified workers and provide participating youth with considerable and lasting benefits that facilitate a smoother transition into the labor market; and
WHEREAS, Congress and the Florida Legislature should support summer youth employment by funding programs that aid youth in obtaining employment, which greatly benefits youth and the community; and
WHEREAS, this Board urges Congress and the Florida Legislature to fund summer youth employment programs,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges the United States Congress and Florida Legislature to allocate funding for summer youth employment programs.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the members of the Miami-Dade County Congressional Delegation, the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, and the Chair and Members of the Miami-Dade County State Legislative Delegation.
Section 3. Directs the County�s federal and state lobbyists to advocate for the funding set forth in Section 1 above, and authorizes and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to include this item in the 2016 Federal Legislative Package when it is presented to the Board and amend the 2016 State Legislative Package to include this item.