SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve amendment 1 to the agreement between the City of Clearwater and the Juvenile Welfare Board (JWB) to increase funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 26 by $334,668, from $569,723 to $904,391, to operate afterschool and summer programs for elementary school-aged children at the North Greenwood Recreation and Aquatic Complex from January 1, 2026 through September 30, 2026, approve 5.2 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) positions necessary to support these programs, and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
Body
SUMMARY:
Since 2000, the City has received annual funding from the JWB Children’s Services Council to provide after school and summer programming for youth in Clearwater. Once again, the City has been awarded funding for youth programming for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 from JWB. The current agreement was approved by City Council in September 2025.
The funding provides the “Charting the Course for Youth” program for 213 children at the North Greenwood and Ross Norton recreation facility throughout the year. “Charting the Course for Youth” is a program designed to incorporate exercise and nutrition-based activities in an after school and summer camp setting, to improve academic success, encourage healthy lifestyle choices, improve social skills, increase athletic abilities, and develop leadership skills of the participants. The program currently serves elementary school-aged children at the Ross Norton Complex and middle and high school-aged children at the North Greenwood Recreation Complex. This grant also provides funding for swim instructors for the city’s Water Safety Program which provides free swim lessons during P.E. time at McMullen Booth, Eisenhower, Skycrest, and Belleair Elementary Schools.
JWB approached the city in late September regarding the possibility of operating after-school and summer programs for elementary school-aged children at the North Greenwood Recreation & Aquatic Complex.
On October 15, 2025, the JWB Board approved the transition of after school and summer programming currently being administered by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Neighborhood Family Center d/b/a Clearwater Neighborhood Family Center (CNFC) to City of Clearwater - “Charting the Course for Youth” program at the North Greenwood Recreation Center.
To ensure continuity of services to both the children and the broader community, JWB will continue to fund the CNGC through the end of the year at which time the responsibilities would transfer to the City of Clearwater.
Concurrently, JWB has engaged the Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center (MWNFC) to assume operation of the family support service programs beginning January 1, 2026 at the NGRAC.
JWB’s funding allocation will fully support the City’s operation of the afterschool and summer programs, covering all related expenses including program supplies, utilities, administrative support, and staffing. This funding also includes an additional 5.2 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions dedicated to the implementation and management of these new programs. Positions requested include a Recreation Supervisor, Recreation Coordinator, Staff Assistant upgrade (780 hours), three PPT Recreation Leaders (3,900 hours), and four Variable/Summer Staff (1,920 hours).
Staff is excited about the opportunity to provide these much-needed programs for the elementary school age children of the community.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
A first quarter budget amendment will establish Special Program 181-G2607, JWB CNFC Programs, to account for revenues and expenditures related to this agreement; recognize an increase of $334,668 in local government revenues reimbursed by JWB; and increase FTEs by 5.2 in the Special Program Fund.
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:
Approval of the Agreement supports multiple Strategic Plan Objectives, including:
• 1.5: Embrace a culture of innovation that drives continuous improvement and successfully serves all our customers.
• 2.1: Strengthen public-private initiatives that attract, develop, and retain diversified business sectors.
• 2.5: Facilitate partnerships with educational and research institutions to strengthen workforce development opportunities.
• 3.1: Support neighborhood identity through services and programs that empower community pride and belonging.
• 3.4: Inspire citizen participation through civic engagement and volunteerism to build strong, inclusive, and engaged communities.
