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CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Approval to submit Youth Community Access (YCA) Grant Program application to State of California Natural Resources Agency for the Students Training as Role Models (STAR) Youth Camping, Field Trips and other Nature and Cultural Activities Project.
1. Resolution approving the submission of a Youth Community Access (YCA) Grant Program application to State of California Natural Resources Agency in the amount of $78,500 for the Students Training as Role Models (STAR) Youth Camping, Field Trips and other Nature and Cultural Activities project (STAR Nature & Culture Project); and authorizing the City Manager, or a designee, to conduct all negotiations, execute and submit all documents including, but not limited to applications, agreements, and payment requests, which may be necessary to complete the project.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Consent Item
Approved for August 12, 2025 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The STAR Program is a free, long-running after-school mentorship program serving at- risk youth ages 9-14, operated by Glendale’s Community Services & Parks Department in partnership with Glendale Police Department and Glendale Unified School District. It offers academic support, life skills training and community service opportunities.
The proposed STAR Nature & Culture Project aims to expand participants’ access to natural and cultural education through at least twelve outdoor field trips, including a weekend camping trip at a California State Park. Activities will include nature workshops at Deukmejian Wilderness Park, educational hikes, local trail cleanups and visits to Glendale’s historic landmarks.
The YCA grant will also fund enhanced staff training in areas such as Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, diversity, student support, emergency preparedness and wellness. It will also support a guest speaker series for the youth participants on topics such as mental and physical wellness, academic success and digital safety. 4b2
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RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing staff to submit a YCA Grant Program application to State of California Natural Resources Agency in the amount of $78,500 for the STAR Nature & Culture Project and authorizing the City Manager, to conduct all negotiations, execute and submit all documents including, but not limited to, applications, agreements, amendments, and payment requests, which may be necessary to complete the project.
ANALYSIS
Following the passage of the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act (Proposition 64) on November 8, 2016, 60% of marijuana tax revenue is deposited into the Youth Education, Prevention, Early Intervention and Treatment Account (YEPEITA) to be used for competitive grants to support youth access to natural or cultural resources with a focus on low-income and disadvantaged communities. YEPEITA funds awarded to the California Natural Resources Agency support the Youth Community Access (YCA) Grant Program, which provides competitive grants to eligible projects that serve youth, directly support access to either natural or cultural resources, and meet the criteria for both low-income and disadvantaged communities. Approximately $18.5 million is available for Youth Community Access projects, with individual awards ranging from $25,000 to $500,000.
Staff is seeking City Council approval to submit a Youth Community Access (YCA) Grant Program application to the State of California Natural Resources Agency in the amount of $78,500 to enhance the STAR Program through the STAR Nature & Culture Project.
The STAR Program is a long-term, mentoring, after-school initiative aimed at helping elementary and middle school students, ages 9 to 14, achieve a positive future through academic success, life skills development, and community service. This free youth program – led by the Community Services & Parks (CSP) Department in partnership with the Glendale Police Department (GPD) and Glendale Unified School District (GUSD) – includes academic tutoring, life skills classes, educational enrichment activities, and service opportunities within the local Glendale community. Since 1995, STAR has successfully reached out to at-risk youth with weekly meetings, mentoring from GPD, and sessions covering topics such as character development by practicing the STAR values, health and well-being (including nutrition, fitness, and overall physical, mental and emotional wellness), and community service projects, culminating in a graduation ceremony.
To expand the STAR Program’s commitment to outdoor educational activities and increase participants’ access to natural and cultural resources, CSP – working in collaboration with GPD – proposed the creation of the STAR Nature & Culture Project through a grant application to the YCA Grant Program. The grant application seeks funding to support the STAR Nature & Culture Project conducting at least twelve educational field trips, including, but not limited to, a weekend camping trip at a California State Park.
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As part of the YCA grant proposal, STAR students would have the opportunity to attend nature education workshops held at Glendale’s historic Stone Barn Nature Center in Deukmejian Wilderness Park and other Glendale parks. Examples of workshops include campfire programs on hiking safety and wilderness survival; Friday Night Lecture Series covering topics such as “Wildlife Photography”; interpretive hikes discussing the relationship between California native plants and insects; and sessions exploring the role herps (lizards and such) play in our ecosystems. Other opportunities include hiking along local Glendale trails and open spaces while participating in community clean-up projects such as watering oak trees, assisting with trail repairs, and removing invasive plants.
The grant funding will also provide opportunities to visit various historic and cultural sites in Glendale, including Doctors House, Shoseian “Whispering Pine” Teahouse and Japanese Garden, Catalina Verdugo Adobe, and Casa Adobe de San Rafael, where students can learn about California’s origins and its development over time.
Grant funding will also allow for more enhanced staff trainings including ADA Compliance, Diversity and Sensitivity Training (Mind the Gap), and best practices for supporting students with diverse needs, safety and risk management, in-person harassment training, in-person mandated reporter training, nutrition training with a certified dietician, CPR/First Aid/AED training and certification, cultural competency, effects of vaping/drug use prevention, and emergency protocols.
Finally, YCA grant funding will support a guest speaker series that will enable staff to schedule paid presenters to discuss topics such as anti-bullying, nutrition, fitness, habits to develop success in school, mental health awareness, and social media safety.
The total requested amount for the STAR Nature & Culture Project for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 fiscal years is $78,500. These funds will support key project components including personnel and training (e.g., additional hourly staff support with benefits and key staff trainings), materials and supplies (e.g., program materials, workshop speaker fees, and camping supplies), transportation (e.g., bus rentals), and field trip expenses (e.g., entrance fees for students and lunches).
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
The STAR program serves youth from underserved communities of color, particularly those from Latinx, Asian-Pacific Islander, and immigrant families who speak English as a second language. CSP will continue collaborating with GUSD and GPD to identify youth who would most benefit from this program. Staff will also continue to work with the Glendale Association of Realtors and the Glendale Police Foundation, which provide extensive financial support of the program throughout the year. Furthermore, the program would have the resources to create additional opportunities for personal development, safe social interactions, and exposure to outdoor recreational and cultural activities. Its emphasis on positive engagement helps guide youth towards better paths, encouraging growth and resilience.
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FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact at this time. Should the grant be awarded, staff will return to City Council to request appropriation of the grant funds.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(4), as it constitutes the creation of government funding mechanisms or other government fiscal activities which do not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment; thus, it is not subject to CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15060(c)(3).
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
This item is exempt from campaign disclosure requirements.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
1. Do not approve submission of a YCA Grant Program application to State of California Natural Resources Agency for the STAR Nature and Culture Project, which would limit the program’s ability to expand and expose youth to a broader array of recreational and cultural activities.
2. The City Council may consider any other alternative not proposed by staff.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Onnig Bulanikian, Director of Community Services & Parks Prepared by:
Julianna De La Cruz, Senior Administrative Analyst
Sevag Garabetian, Community Services Manager
John Maghaguian, Community Services Supervisor
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
None.