Durham County commissioners grappled with a looming youth services funding crisis after learning that federal COVID relief dollars propping up dozens of aftercare programs will soon run out. County Manager Claudia Hager laid out the scope of the challenge: the county already spends $276 million annually on youth services—about 40 percent of its general budget—but 17 nonprofit groups receiving temporary American Rescue Plan Act funding have nearly exhausted those dollars and programs are winding down, leaving a immediate gap.
The commissioners heard directly from the young people most affected. Wendy Jacobs reported that participants in Project Build, the county's gang prevention program serving high-risk youth ages 10 to 18, told commissioners they have "nothing to do in Durham," can't afford parks programs, and want a teen center downtown, access to basketball courts, tutoring help, and job opportunities. Meanwhile, Durham Public Schools reported 52 elementary students on a waitlist for afterschool programs despite operating at full capacity with 1,608 students enrolled. The district is piloting a non-licensed aftercare program at eight schools to speed up hiring after state fingerprint requirements delayed staff onboarding by two weeks.
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