New Orleans full complement of youth services was devastated by the impact of Hurricane Katrina. The provision of high quality services to our most vulnerable citizens is essential to our continued recovery and the overall quality of life in District C.

The relationship between a city’s youth services and crime reduction has been documented as one of the most important factors impacting healthy communities and sustainable development. The dedicated work of local professionals and engaged citizens throughout the education, recreation, social service and juvenile justice sectors has produced a series of excellent recommendations and action plans.

As your District C council member, I will work to incorporate various strategies to maximize the effectiveness and community impact of city departments and non-profit service providers. Partnerships with the private sector and national donors will be used to leverage the resources and work of existing structures.

I will advocate for “common sense” reform aimed to deliver more efficient and comprehensive services for our youth.

My primary goal will be to: create a District C strategy for youth services, combining input from juvenile justice advocates, the New Orleans Recreational Department (NORD), the recreation advisory panel, Total Community Action and specialists in after-school programming.

I will advocate for:

Development of a modern facility for “The Youth Study Center”

• An accountable, fiscally responsible use of the $18 million budgeted for the project
• Create a oversight committee for “The Youth Study Center”
• Work with juvenile justice advocates to encourage exploration of alternatives to incarceration including community detention, day and evening reporting centers, and residential supervision

Re-organization of New Orleans Recreation Department

• Implement the recommendations of the New Orleans Recreation Community Advisory Panel
• Form a New Orleans Recreation and Playground Commission
• Work to secure long-term funding support from the business, private and donor communities

After-School Programming

• Support inclusive, comprehensive planning and delivery of holistic after school services
• Support the 10 for 2010 recommendations developed by the After School Partnership

Deepen participation of the business, private and donor communities in the development and funding of best practice models suited for New Orleans