Chair Stevens on provider feedback and holistic system investment
Stevens pushes on provider feedback about inadequate rates and the interconnected nature of DYCD contracts, noting providers hold multiple contracts and underfunding in one area affects others. Escamilla-Davies acknowledges the unevenness has created instability and says DYCD is evaluating all portfolios in tandem to move the needle evenly.
Yeah.
But it's not easy.
And it's not easy to not feel like you're being compensated for the work that you're doing either.
No, I mean, listen, it's not easy.
And the problem is, and this is with the providers, I'm happy that you even said the story about a provider giving back the contracts because.
We're at a place where if we are not able to have adequate funded contracts, it is not okay for the kids because then they are...
They're the ones who are not getting the services that they need.
And so, you know, thinking about providers, thinking about how do we push back and say, like, this isn't adequate and this actually now puts kids in danger.
I want to move on.
I mean, obviously, I'll be back because, you know.
This is what I do.
I think that it's important.
And when we're thinking about even all the other programs and how they're all interconnected and how are we looking at this whole system of investment for young people.
And honestly, I'm happy to hear that you guys are saying that you're trying to do an interagency conversation around like all the programs that young people have, because I'm a true believer that like.
That's part of some of the problem where we have investments in certain areas where we'll get investments in ACS one year and the next year DYCD will get investments.
And like even when we're thinking about, I remember when I first came in, I was like screaming and yelling about getting 100 beds.
And so it was like, oh, we got 100 beds.
Yay.
But it's not funded correctly.
Right.
And so it's like always this uphill battle.
And the reality is we should be looking at this holistically and looking at all the needs of kids and making sure that we're trying to hit all the buckets.
And I just, especially with RHI, I just feel like we just don't talk about this enough because the city is embarrassed by it because it's sad to say that we have homeless children and they need support.
But it's not okay because even when I'm seeing the city roll out plans about housing, it's always an afterthought for our young people, right?
Why aren't we building housing?
for young people coming out of the IHWA shelter?
Why are we not designating space for them?
And so that's my goal for us to be thinking and looking at young people holistically and not just talking about child care and after school.
Like, what happens after that?
Those young people are important.
And I will continue to say it.
If we're going to talk about a affordable city, we need to talk about it for everyone, including young people.
I'll get off my high horse for now and talk to my next question.
All right, so I'm going to move on.