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Our expected outcomes are reasonable and varied. In the area of improved health and well-being, we
expect that 60% of the participating students will demonstrate improved physical fitness. 75% of the
students will demonstrate increased school involvement. 75% of students matched with a Big Brothers
Big Sisters' mentor will demonstrate a decreased involvement in risky behaviors. In the area of
increased academic achievement, we expect that 75% of students will demonstrate improved school
attendance. 50% of students performing below grade level will demonstrate improved grades in reading,
math, or science. 75% of students will demonstrate improved homework submission. In the area of
decreased involvement in risky behaviors, we expect that 75% of students will demonstrate reduced
conduct problems as evidenced by an improvement in average conduct grades. 75% of students will
demonstrate less likelihood of making unhealthy choices, such as violence, drugs, and alcohol. There
will be a 10% decrease in school suspensions by student participants.
The benefits of children participating in "Miami's Learning Zone" are great. Learning is extended in a fun
and engaging environment. The program was established to 1) provide and facilitate supervised
learning opportunities for all students, especially those who are identified as academically low achieving,
during after school programming; 2) improve students' attendance; 3) improve reading skills as identified
by state and district standards; 4) provide activities in parental involvement; and 5) develop a cost-
effective model of school/community reform that can be replicated.
The City of Miami Office of the Mayor has ample experience participating in programs dedicated to the
development of our children. The Office not only oversees the financial management of progreams
through the City of Miami Department of Strategic Planning, Budgeting & Performance, but has launched
and coordinated several initiatives and projects in partnership with community leaders, community and
faith -based organizations, as well as public and private entities. The Mayor's Task Force on Youth,
Nutrition and Fitness was developed in association with the University of Miami School of Medicine and
Hispanic Healthcare Communications to reduce the incidence of obesity in children grades K-1 attending
10 Miami -Dade County Public Schools within the City of Miami. These combined resources include
promoting healthful dietary intake and increased levels of physical activity.
The Office of the Mayor in collaboration with Miami -Dade County Weed and Seed Youth Empowerment
Office is coordinating a project to commemorate the lives of children and youth victims of gun violence.
Under this project, a monument will be erected to pay tribute to all the youth in the County that have died
as a result of gun violence since 1980.
In 2003, with funding from the Miami -Dade County Public School System, the Office coordinated a
summer reading program, hiring 41 teachers for over 200 children at 26 of our parks. The program is
currently expanding and the Office of the Mayor is coordinating with public and private entities to extend
the benefits of technology by setting up computer labs and establishing programs in all of the City's
major parks. ;This year fiollowirig Che Mayor's Mentoring Iri'itiatiye;the Mayor.'s Office Iaundli�d arid
000100ted "a program in conlumtion with Big Brothers Big Sisters; of Greater Mlanli aril City` of -Miami
epi to .e s. to ;reprpttl' dIVlduals as monitors fir Miarilsci�oot,children. As of today, mare B ani 200
e;rripldyoes, have reg`i'stered to%partioipate. ih`- his:ii�pc leant pcoieot;`dedicotinrg 1 to ha'urs.to a little
bro,horor:iato on a vEekly basis,
With previous funding received from The Children's Trust, the Department of Parks and. Recreation has
successfully facilitated "Heart of Our Parks" year round programming in conjuction with the Office of the
Mayor. Parks offers a comprehensive out -of -school -time program free to local elementary and middle
school youth in five City parks. Program components include reading and math skill building, homework
tutoring, physical fitness, computer technology, science exploration, visual and performing arts, conflict
resolution, field trips and sports leagues.
Attachment A
Contract #:506-193 Page 3 of 19
City of Miami, Office of the Mayor
POLICY NUMBER:
"MM2 -01
ISSUED BY:
Pedro G. Hernandez
Purpose:
.ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY
...........................
MENTOR PROGRAM
DATE:
March 6, 2007
CREATED/
REA VZSED
DATE 5
Created
8/01/01
Revised
2/27/07
Page 1 of 2
To provide an official policy for all full time City of Miami employees to partner with Big
Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Miami and Mentoring Resource Center, the National
Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship, and Take Stock in Children to become
mentors to children in Miami -Dade County Schools within City of Miami limits.
The Policy will be as follows:
1. Program:
In an effort to effectuate the goal of becoming mentors to children in Miami -Dade
County Schools within the City of Miami, partnered with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of
Greater Miami and Mentoring Resource Center, the National Foundation for
Teaching Entrepreneurship, and Take Stock in Children, City employees will be
matched with students from local schools to accomplish the following objectives:
A. To provide youth with a positive role model who can offer friendship, moral
support, guidance and enthusiasm in pursuing one's educational and personal,
goals.
B. To provide ideas for alternative choice activities to build a life foundation that
will not include the use of drugs and alcohol.
C. To provide assistance in developing positive and constructive learning/study
habits that will curb school absenteeism and drop out and help improve grades.
D. To maintain a supportive relationship that will increase self-esteem, emphasize
career awareness, facilitate learning and promote goal setting. .
E. To instill in City employees a sense of civic duty and foster employee community
service involvement.
F. To promote the City of Miami as an entity which cares about and prospers with
the success of its young citizens.
-02-01
Procedure:
Procedure:
A. The mentor program will consist of one-on-one mentor relationships and group
activities at selected schools. Mentors from our City workforce will provide
voluntary service by meeting with the partnered student for one (1) hour per
week. Mentors will allowed one (1) hour total travel time to and from the
school. Mentors will be carried on City time which will be payroll coded as
Mentor Program Leave Tiarxa.e (MP) when performing this service.
B. Employees acting as mentors will be responsible for providing his/her
department with a signed attendance form as provided by the City (see ,ttaci,-ci
form).
C. Department Directors are expected to allow employees mentor time off unless
absolute necessity dictates otherwise.
D. Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Miami and Mentoring Resource Center
(EBBS), the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), and
Take Stock in Children will coordinate all meetings, training sessions and
activities.
E. The Mentor Program will run on a school calendar year.
F. Mentors will receive training from qualified staff of BBBS, NFTE, and Take
Stock in Children, and of the selected school and will be encouraged to make
suggestions to enhance the program. EBBS, NFTE, and Take Stock in
Children will provide assessment for both the mentors and students. Mentors
will attend workshops regarding the role of the mentor, career mentoring and
related activities.