$25,000 Is Sought for Youth Programs

Santa Paula will become the latest Ventura County city to unveil a youth master plan Monday when the City Council considers whether to set aside up to $25,000 to help implement the blueprint’s goals.

Dubbed the five-year Youth Action Plan, the document is the result of an 18-month effort involving more than 1,000 people.

The plan presents a timetable for setting up specific programs to tackle such problems as a lack of youth employment and recreational programs.

In the plan’s first year, strategies will include seeking grants to support a youth employment service facility and job preparation classes.

Most of the city money--$20,000--is intended to match any grants received.

Several cities in the county have written plans intended to solve youth problems.

The trick has been actually enacting the proposed programs, concedes Councilwoman Laura Flores Espinosa, co-chairwoman of the committee that wrote the plan.

“There have been several attempts in Santa Paula as well to have a plan specifically addressing youth problems,” she said.

“This one--because of the broad participation and the community’s interest in finding solutions to youth violence--has the greatest chance of being successful.”

The council will also consider creating a 25-member Youth Action Plan Advisory Task Force to implement the plan.

The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 970 Ventura St.