It is recommended that the City Council authorize the execution of a Contract with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County, Inc., in an amount up to $1,337,350.00 for the continued operation of the Comin' Up Gang Intervention Program for Fiscal Year 2019.

The purpose of this Mayor and Council Communication is to authorize a contract with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County, Inc., for the continued support and services of the Comin' Up Gang Intervention Program (Comin' Up). Comin' Up was established in 1994 in order to reduce gang-related violence by diverting gang members into programs and services to help youth avoid negative and destructive behaviors.

Comin' Up provides intervention services to gang-involved youth between the ages of 13 and 24. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County, Inc., operates Comin' Up at six sites, including Diamond Hill, Hillside, Near Southside (Panther), Northside, Poly, and Stop Six. These Comin' Up sites serve approximately 680 youth nightly Monday through Friday.  Program Staff provides information and referral services, works directly with gang leaders to assist with conflict resolution, and provides crisis intervention to diffuse potentially troubling or violent situations, which has helped Staff successfully develop truces between rival gangs.

The Crime Control and Prevention District Fund Fiscal Year 2019 budget appropriates the amount of $1,129,000.00 for the continued operation of six program sites. The Fiscal Year 2019 General Fund adopted budget appropriates the amount of $208,350.00 for the administrative costs associated with the continued operation of Comin' Up. The total contract amount is $1,337,350.00.

This Agreement will be effective October 1, 2018, and will end on September 30, 2019.

This program serves COUNCIL DISTRICTS 2, 5, 8 and 9.