Education & Human Services Standing Committee January 8, 2026 Staff Report

The Education & Human Services Standing Committee is meeting on January 8, 2026, to discuss several key items. These include an update on the Positive Youth Development (PYD) Fund, which supports out-of-school-time programming for youth aged 11-19 as part of the Gun Violence Prevention and Intervention Framework. The committee will also consider three ordinances:

1. Ord. 2025-275: Transfers $1.1 million for Safer Communities grants, allocating $600,000 to the YWCA for trauma-informed services at the Family Justice Center and $500,000 to Next Up for high-quality out-of-school-time programs. These funds are part of a larger $3.538 million grant from the VA Department of Criminal Justice Services.
2. Ord. 2025-276: Authorizes a contract with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond to expand life skills programming (conflict resolution, self-regulation, academic planning) at Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School, aiming to engage at least 100 youth.
3. Ord. 2025-277: Authorizes a regional cooperative partnership agreement with Henrico and Chesterfield counties to support a recovery academy initiative funded by the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority. This includes a matching appropriation of $8,519.98 to support Chesterfield County's recovery high school.

Residents can expect expanded youth programs focused on development and safety through the Positive Youth Development Fund and specific initiatives like the Boys & Girls Club program at MLK Middle School. Additionally, funding is being allocated for violence prevention services and a regional opioid recovery academy, potentially impacting public health and safety.

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