| Name | Andy |
|---|---|
| Last Name | Smith |
| Home Address | 1713 Holly Oak Lane Chattanooga, TN 37421 United States |
| Organization Name | YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga |
| Describe Your Role In The Organization | Andy Smith is the Regional Director of Y-CAP (YMCA Community Action Project), under the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga. We have three Y-CAP locations that serve approximately 200 students annually. Andy is responsible for the operations of all three sites. |
| Organization Address | 301 W. 6th Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 United States |
| Website | https://www.ymcachattanooga.org |
| Best Phone Number To Reach You | 423-847-7682 |
| Alternate Phone Number | |
| Email Address | westsideboxing@hotmail.com |
| Alternate Email Address | asmith@ymcachattanooga.org |
| Please Describe Your Project In Detail | Y-CAP is an early intervention and prevention program for youth ages 10-17 who have been referred to us either through the juvenile court system or the school system. Each student and their family have a personalized treatment plan which addresses their educational and behavioral needs, including mentoring, tutoring, hot meals, family nights and group therapy. The Y-CAP program is the longest running youth delinquency prevention and intervention program in Southeast Tennessee. Since 1998, the Y-CAP program has successfully addressed needs of young males and females, ages 10-17, who are referred by a juvenile court or school authority. Ranging across racial and ethnic groups, students served are primarily from low to middle-income families who are found to struggle with truancy, failing grades, and/or multiple incidences of disruptive behavior in the classroom. The Y-CAP program model highly values one-on-one mentorship and therefore, our enrolled student to staff ratio does not exceed one to fifteen. The Y-CAP program operates a minimum of 180 days a year. Operating hours are Monday-Thursday, from 2:30PM- 6:30PM for all sites, during the critical window of time after school when increased delinquent youth behavior typically occurs. Specific to the daily program schedule, youth will receive academic and homework assistance followed by physical education and enrichment. Group and individual mental health and check-ins will be provided daily or 2-3x per week as necessary based on individual school needs and case load. Daily snacks and meals will be provided through our YMCA-led USDA food program. All youth will be fed throughout the school year and summer programming, according to the health requirements of the USDA. A typical daily program schedule during the school year looks like: 2:15-3:15PM Pick-up from schools 3:30-4:00PM Group therapy and/or individual case review 4:00-5:00PM Academic Hour: homework assistance, tutoring 5:00-5:30PM Dinner 5:30-6:30PM Programing (woodshop, boxing, music/art therapy, STEAM/STEM, money mgmt., garden) 6:30PM Dismissal: Parent/Guardian pick up Our summer schedule typically includes: 8:00-9:00AM Arrival & breakfast 9:00-9:30AM Morning Values Check-in 9:30AM-12:30PM Academics: summer reading, skills practice 12:30-1:00PM Lunch 1:00-4:00PM Community learning & exploration (hiking, swimming, job site visits, community service, outdoor activities, STEAM/STEM) |
| Please explain how your project meets the requirements of the American Rescue Plan | Over 90% of students enrolled in Y-CAP come from single parent homes, and many of those being raised by grandparents. Others are in foster care or other state-funded housing situations. We know that poverty and access to quality health care also play a prominent role in negative health outcomes for urban youth. In that ½ of our students reside in poverty with extremely limited access (food deserts) to nutrition and physical education, the need is evident for providing a safe, quality after school program for hundreds of deserving children. Tennessee is ranked 36th of the 50 states in public health sitting at 42 in Economic Well-Being, 36 in Education, 28 in Health, and 39 in Family and Community (tn.gov). Each of these factors contribute to a child’s vulnerability, and research indicates that vulnerable youth who have poor school attendance and performance, poor social skills, low self-esteem, few or no healthy adult role models, and who live in poverty are very much at-risk to become involved in delinquent behaviors. As delinquency cases rise, we see that, during crucial developmental years, our schools struggle to bridge two gaps: the leap from 5th to 6th grade and the leap from 8th to 9th grade. Too often, students lack the support systems to bridge these barriers and dropout results. These disturbing indicators serve as the basis for offering a wellness, nutrition, physical element for youth during after-school and summer services. Research also confirms that young people who struggle in the classroom, have family problems, have limited structured activities away from school, or perhaps have a mental or nervous disorder or learning difficulty such as depression or ADD/ADHD, are the ones most likely to be eliminated from being involved in school activities and traditional afterschool programs. These children will either simply choose not to participate or will not be allowed to because of noncompliance with school or program policies. Juvenile court referrals and mental health issues continue to plague school systems who have limited resources (personnel and fiscal) to address needs. A partnership with the YMCA means that we also tackle these issues (gaps) for hundreds of children. In distressed communities like the YMCA’s target areas of Chattanooga inner city, a combination of crime, poverty, segregation, unemployment, poor health, struggling schools, inadequate housing, and disinvestment keep residents from reaching their full potential. Too often, youth in these communities, especially African American males and, increasingly, females, drop out of school and become intertwined in the legal and penal systems at both the adult and juvenile levels. Youth exposure to violence is also associated with significant levels of distress, including symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. In 2016, The Atlantic published “Good School, Rich School; Bad School, Poor School: The inequality at the heart of America’s education system.” Authors found that, nationally, local funding spends 15.6% less per pupil in high-poverty districts – and the schools we serve are in high poverty communities. From buildings to books, the disparity is real. Inside school buildings, this appears to be true for our youth who show concerning rates of severely out-of-control behavior, stark mood swings, and drastic changes in behavior or personality. The gap between mental health needs and readily available mental health services is wide. Coupled with low counselor-to-student ratios in schools, the YMCA recognizes and addresses this gap with the Y-CAP program. Statistics indicate that more than 78% of juvenile crime takes place during the after-school hours until 6:00 PM when children are frequently unsupervised because their parents are still at work. Delinquent behavior continues to be one, if not the most, prevalent problem facing the juvenile justice system in Chattanooga. In 2021, Chattanooga saw a record number of thirteen juveniles charged with murder. The number of juvenile court referrals for delinquent behavior in Hamilton County is in the top 20% in the state of Tennessee, almost double (3.5%) the number for the state (2.1%). Of those referred for juvenile court, 40% are children ages 11-16 and 40% reside in female led households. The Y-CAP Program will specifically target students identified for participation as part of the juvenile court referral system, and via counselor, teacher, and/or school referral process at students’ respective schools. We know that our current students and projected new students represent the most at risk learners with the greatest factors for dropping out of school and struggling academically. Therefore, this program has been designed to address two specific dropout indicators: course grades and healthy behaviors (through health and income/financial health). Eligible students will be current older elementary and middle school students who need assistance with academics, personal and social development, and risky behaviors, and new students with high risk factors at identified elementary and middle schools. Our school system partnerships will enable us to develop and maintain a comprehensive “ranking” of students struggling academically or socially even though they may be receiving other school services. Students with the greatest unmet needs (failing classroom grades, assessment deficits, attendance challenges, juvenile court issues, and chronic behavior issues) are given priority for program participation using individualized and differentiated instructional strategies. We will also review unmet needs and examine grade retention as a key risk factor for selection. Regular day teacher and administrative feedback will also confirm individual student need and academic support gaps. Students will be “invited to participate” (new) or “remain” (current) in the program and details will be shared unless they are referred to the program from the juvenile court. We will work with regular day teachers and parents/caregivers to assess students with the greatest needs. Teacher, parent, and administer recommendations, classroom grades, State assessments, and behavior/mental health concerns will also be used for designing individual student plans which also complement American Rescue Plan strategies. We maintain an open enrollment policy for all students who wish to participate in the program, including students with disabilities and English Language Learners. We predict that 30% - 50% of our students will come from Priority schools. Program staff will continue to work closely with school-based Title I Parent Coordinators at previously served schools and with new schools to streamline adult/family communication efforts and activities. Outreach will mirror and expand successful communication efforts currently in place. The program will maintain a “waiting list” (as needed) and update data every 9–week grading period to ensure that academic needs are current and addressed for participating students. Case management activities will ensure that mental health and wellness for students will also be confidentially maintained. Our mental health partners, Helen Ross McNabb and the contracted licensed therapist will provide a myriad of activities. Individual assessments will drive specific services as part of the process for intervention. Student plans will include family and individual counseling on a case-by-case basis. Individual and group therapy will be offered several times throughout the week. |
| Where would your project take place? | This project proposal is based on a collaborative partnership with the City of Chattanooga, with site location(s) determined by the City, in one or more Community Centers (YFDs) in targeted areas. |
| How much will your project cost in total? | 850000 |
| Do you have any matching funding sources from other local governments, private entities, non-profits, or philanthropic entities for your project? | No |
| Please describe the source and list amounts of any other funding. | |
| What portion of the project are you asking the city to fund? | |
| If funded, when would your project start? | September 1, 2022 |
| How long would your project take to complete? | 5 School Years |
| What milestones would you use to measure your project’s progress? | Y-CAP is designed to interrupt students’ progressive steps to school failure and dropout, delinquency, and other negative behaviors by addressing the underlying reasons behind their poor performance academically, absence from school and negative, self-defeating behaviors. The goals of the Y-CAP program are: 1- To improve school attendance and academic achievement 2- To improve behavior at school and at home 3- To build self esteem in these at-risk youth and their parents 4- To train parents how to set and maintain appropriate boundaries 5- To reduce the number of petitions filed in juvenile court for delinquency 6- To work closely with parents moving them from welfare to work 7- To encourage and maintain a healthy lifestyle of exercise and nutrition thus eliminating childhood obesity 8- To involve program participants in service learning projects such as the Y-CAP Vegetable Garden |
| How would you ensure accountability and transparency throughout the project lifecycle? | In that we are a non-profit organization, we constantly maintain transparency in all of our work. Data collection efforts, reporting, electronic file confidentiality, signed forms, and communication logs are maintained at our Y-CAP Chattanooga program office in downtown Chattanooga and kept on file for five years. We believe in transparency and accountability and assure that the annual reporting will be available to all stakeholders and the public, upon request in hard print or electronically. At monthly board meeting with volunteers, Y-CAP staff share highlights and challenges with program partners and stakeholders to ensure accountability and transparency. We also will share highlights and challenges with program partners and stakeholders to ensure accountability and transparency. Our data collection efforts include continually measuring program outcomes through tracking school attendance, report cards and weekly written reports from teachers and parents. Y-CAP staff communicate with juvenile court probation officers to ensure that the program participants do not commit an offense that requires court involvement. Quarterly reports are submitted to the Y-CAP Board of Managers who track and review the progress. Our program schedule and transportation (daily pick up after program time) enable us to interact with parents/guardians daily. We are then able to share individual progress (academic and behavior) with key stakeholders. During meals, we will continue to share progress with students to build healthy relationships and ensure program investment. Daily homework sheets between program-school-home include individual student progress, highlights, behavior updates, and homework needs. This tool is an effective means to share progress and unite all parties. |
| If successful, how would your project benefit the community? | By achieving any or all of the goals mentioned above, the young person and the adults in his or her life will become more productive, contributing citizens. Y-CAP has served more than 3,000 vulnerable students since its inception. The program has become a model across the Southeastern United States and has been duplicated in 3 local area program sites. 88% of participants have improved their overall grade point average in the four core areas of reading, writing, math, and English by one letter grade, 64% have improved by two letter grades, and 49% by three letter grades. Since 1998, 96% of Y-CAP graduates have not committed an offence that required juvenile court intervention. This is particularly significant since 62% of the Y-CAP referrals come from the juvenile court system. Partners are committed to the program, during and after grant funds cease, and positive evaluation data has motivated the YMCA to expand current after school operations within Hamilton to meet growing needs. Discussions will continue to ensue about local government contributing after year 3. We understand the value of new partnerships and continued grant funding opportunities. We have identified the gaps in services based on numerous data sets, discussions, and previous experience. We also understand that the pandemic has changed how schools and programs operate. We are a leader of change in order to meet new demands and while ensuring that youth and their families are served. The YMCA is a local leader – providing food, access to childcare, and wellness programs for our community’s most vulnerable, including children. Unmet family needs also remain an issue of concern in that the family is strongly connected to student success. Poverty and lack of education are closely tied to our children. Specific to our school zip codes, our children reside in severe poverty with limited access to services. With poverty rates topping 50% in some zip codes, parent needs are vital and include GED assistance, literacy and financial education, parenting and family skills, communication, and employment opportunities. As we diligently work to close the student gap, academically, socially, and emotionally, we will continue to use best practices and evidence-based strategies to support this work. By reducing or eliminating barriers, parents, even grandparents raising grandchildren, will have monthly opportunities to engage in high quality, relevant services – alongside their child or with other adults in need of healthy relationships. Y-CAP will help Chattanooga close the gap between Chattanoogans with a focus on equity and inclusion with these children who have had adverse childhood experiences. |
| How will you attract community buy-in for your project? | Y-CAP is part of a comprehensive service, collaborating with the child and his or her parents, the Y-CAP staff, the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga association, the Downtown YMCA, YMCA Camp Ocoee, Hamilton County Department of Education, On Point, the Department of Parks and Recreation, Hamilton County Juvenile Court, the Chattanooga Police Department, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga State, Southern Adventist University, Silverdale Baptist Church, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, McGlohon Springs, and the McCallie School. These collaborative partners are among a longer list of community partners who have "buy-in" with Y-CAP. As indicated, our Y-CAP has served as a model for other YMCA Y-CAP programs across the country. One strategy we use is to bring community members on a tour of Y-CAP and let them sit in a session with the Y-CAP staff and students. This almost always results in an individual, family, or business to donate money, laptops, meals, and their time in general. |
| Is there anything else you would like us to know about your project? | We have based this project proposal on a potential 5-year pilot partnership timeline, between the City of Chattanooga and Y-CAP. The total cost of the project is based on one location at $170,000 per year, for a total of 5 years, serving a minimum of 80 students per year at one site. Y-CAP is scalable to multiple locations, if the City so chooses. The length of this project will allow the YMCA to track and produce hard outcomes (grades, school attendance, behavior, recidivism, and gun violence) to determine the ongoing effectiveness of programming. |