Indio Youth Master Plan

Mission Statement The City of Indio is committed to uniting the community and its many cultural and diverse resources to develop a supporting environment for youth. We are committed to collaborative, new and comprehensive efforts to meet the wide range of needs of our young people and their families. This includes working for local coordination of human and financial resources through the Youth Master Plan.

Mission Statement Our primary goal is to provide fun, safe, healthy, educational, and nurturing experiences that enable and encourage our young people. This will empower youth to become successful contributors to our community and prepare them for the challenges of life.

Our Beliefs & Fundamental Core Values We believe that: Our youth are assets that must be appreciated and developed The lives of our youth are of the utmost (highest) importance to our community All our youth are deserving of respect

The richness and diversity of our youth are assets that strengthen our community We should provide youth with opportunities to contribute to our community and demonstrate their ability to accept responsibility Our families, both traditional and non- traditional are valued entities (possessions) and we encourage and promote activities that foster and strengthen them

Strategy One After School Activities We will develop a strategy that focuses upon the belief that the City of Indio must continue to meet the needs of youth during their non-school hours. Results of youth interest surveys will be considered in the development and expansion of programs. Programs will recognize the constantly changing needs of young people.

Specific results: After School offerings should be expanded and enhanced to address our growing middle and high school population. Our rapidly growing population is pressuring limited resources, sites and programs. Opportunities to create partnerships and collaborations should be explored. Local resources, both private and public, should focus upon the expansion of programs for pre-school children to compliment after school activities.

Specific Results Indio Youth Task Force must continue to provide a venue (location) for service providers to meet and explore ways to partner and collaborate. The City of Indio and its many partners must explore all funding opportunities and orate (address), and refer clients to appropriate programs and resources for the expansion and enhancement of existing programs and the creation of new ones.

Strategy Two Education We will develop collaborative learning communities throughout the City of Indio to complement the Strategic Plans of Coachella Valley Unified School District, Desert Sands Unified School District, College of the Desert, California State University San Bernardino, and the Riverside County Office of Education. We will explore all opportunities to enhance and strengthen these relationships. The focus of these efforts will be specific areas identified by the Master Plan work groups.

Specific results: Implement a city-wide guide that identifies all education based resources. The purpose will be to advise parents and youth as to the variety of programs, sites, etc. available to assist with their educational goals. Special emphasis will be placed upon reaching those most in need of services. Create a city-wide tutorial program that focuses resources upon recognized after-school sites and students in need. Schools, faith based organizations, non-profits such as the Win Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and partners such as Coachella Valley Park & Recreation District will create opportunities for local citizens to participate as tutors or students. In addition to site based initiatives, community outreach will be expanded.

Specific results: Create strong partnerships/collaborations throughout the community that maximize resources available to our youth. Of particular note is the (SAP) Student Assistance Program of Desert Sands Unified School District, a model of community support. Other partnerships and collaborations will provide programs such as pre- natal, and other mental and physical health services for families and youth.

Specific results: Create a partnership with local resources such as the Win Center, Building Horizons, the Regional Occupation Program and Operation Teen Work, the school districts, parents and youth to ensure that job skill and development programs are enhanced and strengthened, particularly for those interested in vocational/technical training. With increasing demand throughout the Valley for a skilled workforce, it is critical that the City and its partners provide programs that teach those skills and complement the educational efforts of the local school districts.

Strategy Three Health We develop strategies and programs that address the various health issues that affect our families and youth. The health of our citizens is a critical component of a healthy community. Recent budget constraints on the state and county levels require that we work together to attain our goals.

Specific results: Develop an onsite bilingual Health Clinic at the Indio Teen Center that will address physical and mental health issues, substance abuse, counseling and any other needs of youth and their families. Space will be provided for drop-in support groups and outside service providers. Create additional extracurricular recreational and sports opportunities through the expansion of local sports leagues and school related intramural programs and through the construction of new sports complexes and playing fields.

Specific results: Develop a comprehensive bilingual educational booklet that addresses subjects such as: myths/realities of health issues; sexual awareness; mental health; family education; obesity/eating disorders; insurance issues; child abuse; etc. Create a student led peer mentoring program housed at the City of Indio Youth Activity Center. Students will work cooperatively with local service providers.

Strategy Four Parks & Facilities We will develop and implement a Park and Facility Master Plan that addresses quality of life issues and the needs of the City of Indio citizens.

Specific results: Land will be purchased for the Indio Teen Center to be developed adjacent to Indio High School. Youth will be involved in the design of the facility. The City of Indio Teen Center and the Boys & Girls Club of Coachella Valley Teen Center should be designed, constructed, and open as soon as possible to address the growing middle and high school population.

Specific results: Implement the Master Plan to upgrade existing parks and to purchase additional park land for development. All facilities to be redesigned, renovated, or built will exceed the California Building Code Accessibility Standards in order to make such facilities accessible and welcome to all users. Future parks will be designed to service the needs of our families and will incorporate the ideas of local citizens. Create and implement a City wide multi-use, non-motorized Trails System that is friendly to persons with disabilities. Design and construct facilities that enhance the quality of life and promote unity, diversity, and overall enjoyment and comfort for our families and youth.

Specific results: Develop a youth center on the former site of the North Indio Swimming Pool. The City should work with the Indio Sunrise Rotary Club, local businesses and developers to create a center in a neighborhood that has been historically underserved. Construct a Sports Complex in Indio that includes multiple uses such as football, soccer, baseball, softball, and a new swimming compound. The facility should encompass a minimum of 40 acres to accommodate our growing needs.

Strategy Five Transportation We will develop and implement a safe, comprehensive and affordable transportation plan for youth.

Specific results: Coordinate with local resources such as Coachella Valley Unified School District, Desert Sands Unified School District, Sunline Transit District, and local transportation charter services to establish services city wide for youth to access after school programs and sites. Create a system that allows young people to travel from their school to an after school program site such as the Boys & Girls Club, Coachella Valley Park & Recreation District, the proposed Teen Centers, or other schools in a safe, timely, efficient, and affordable manner.

Specific results: Work with Sunline Transit to design routes that cover all areas of the city and that tie into trunk routes that transverse the valley. Expand the initial system by adding additional stops such as the mall, JFK Hospital, churches, community services, the County of Riverside facilities, etc. Establish a transportation committee that conducts an annual review of transport services. Recommendations will be made regarding upgrades, changes in routes, fares, new partners, etc.