Adopted Budget (Final Document)

Community Services

010.2180

Division Description Community Services is responsible for department-wide strategic planning, park planning and acquisition, working with the Community’s non-profit and public service organizations, providing staff support to the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) and Library, Culture, and Arts Commission (LCAC), Senior Advisory Committee (SAC), Youth Action Council (YAC), and non revenue generating program management. The Community Services team is responsible for the management of several community support programs, including the Centennial Recreation Teen Center, Centennial Recreation Senior Center and Older Adult Programs and Services, Volunteer Program, Skate Park, Youth Action Council, various community events, and community outreach. In addition, the City funds the afterschool program at Park Place in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club. The majority of these programs are not supported through program revenue; however, sponsors and grants are sought to reduce the impact to the General Fund. The Centennial Recreation Senior Center has been the hub for older adult services since 2006. In June 2016, the City of Morgan Hill earned the Age-Friendly City designation from the World Health Organization and was instrumental in helping to lead other cities within Santa Clara County to become Age-Friendly. The Senior Center has evolved in recent years to include more comprehensive Older Adult Programs and Services. As part of the City’s Age-Friendly designation, the program has committed to a continual evaluation and planning cycle to develop programs and services to support needs in the areas of housing, transportation, social participation, respect and social inclusion, civic participation and employment, communication and information, community support and health services, and outdoor spaces and buildings. This budget reflects restarting continued efforts in improving communication, establishing partnerships and collaborations, and removing transportation barriers by identifying potential solutions and transportation alternatives. The City partners with the Mt. Madonna YMCA to operate a free Teen Center for youth at the CRC. The Teen Center serves youth from middle school through high school during weekday afterschool hours. Youth from all socioeconomic levels participate. It is one of the few free programs for youth in the community and is used by many youth that are considered “at risk” and from low income families. Research has shown that youth involved in after school programs are more likely to succeed in school and more likely to resist negative influences, such as drugs and alcohol. The Teen Center serves as a means for prevention of future youth and young adult involvement in negative and criminal activities that impact the Community.

The Bike and Pedestrian Education and Encouragement Program is funded through the Santa Clara County 2016 Measure B tax. This program is working to encourage the community to ride

PUBLIC SERVICES 227