Friday, May 3, 2024
5/3/2024
Project Abstract Summary (Community Overview) WestCare Foundation, Inc. will serve as the lead applicant for the Promise Zone Coalition (PZC) which began in 2016 to address the high rates of crime primarily caused by drug trafficking and rival gangs fighting over “territory’. The mission of the PZC is to develop healthy, safe, and economically viable communities within the Promise Zone through the implementation of culturally appropriate and evidence-based substance abuse, crime, and violence prevention programs and capacity-building strategies that promote resiliency, equity, empowered and engaged residents, and trauma-informed care for youth and families. The PZC goals are to 1) establish and strengthen collaborations with community stakeholders and partners to prevent and reduce substance abuse among youth in grades 6th-12th in zip code 78202 by 10% each for every year of this project and 2) address the community factors that increase the risk of substance abuse and its related harm while promoting strategies, policies, and practices that minimize the risk of substance abuse. Demographics include Black 45%, Hispanic 47%, White 5%, Asian 3%. The boundaries of the PZ are encased by three main Interstate Highways that serve as transshipment points for illegal drugs into the country. It is 48.3% male and 51.7% female. With regard to age, 8.9% is under 5 years old, 23.7% are ages 5-19, 25.3% are ages 20-39, 29.4% are ages 40-64, and 12.7% are 65 and older. Eighty-six percent (86%) of people living in this area speak English, 48% speak English and Spanish, 14% speak Spanish or another language only CHALLENGES FOR THE PROMISE ZONE Chief of Police William McManus compared 2017 to 2018, and stated in a KENS TV news report on April 24, 2018 that arrests are up by 122%. Within the first four months of 2018 there have been 38 homicides of which 22 homicides were in the PZ and there were 85 people involved in gun-related shootings in the PZ in 2017 (SAPD East Substation Captain’s Report March 22, 2018). The overall poverty rate of the three PZ Census Tracts is 30.9%. The most impoverished census tract (1306) in San Antonio/Bexar County contains 522 families, more than half (53.2%) of which live in poverty. San Antonio’s median household income is $43,961 while the median income in the PZ is $14,864. In November 2018, nearly 40 pounds of methamphetamine were seized in a joint Federal and County operation. In March 2019, 12 individuals were arrested by Federal officers and San Antonio Police Department for their roles in a narcotics (cocaine and heroin) distribution operation that worked daily shifts operating a phone order and delivery system in the East and West side of San Antonio. In April 2019. According to the Bexar County Child Welfare Board, the PZ as 45% of its children not with their biological parents due to criminal and illegal drug-related activities. The BCCSCD/Probation reported to Commissioner’s Court in October 2017 that the PZ will have approximately 750 people return from prison in 2018 and another 890 will return in 2019.T Metropolitan Health Department 2016 Community Needs Assessment indicated poor health conditions. Area families were reported to be highly transient, a correlate to poor school performance. High Mobility Rates as demonstrated by the fact that of the students attending Eastside Promise Neighborhood elementary and middle schools between 2002 and 2011, the mobility rate was 100%, i.e., not one student enrolled in kindergarten continued through 8th grade. Property deterioration (commercial/housing) is common. there are 691 vacant and abandoned buildings. Lack of economic development, job creation, new business starts, and retention of existing businesses as well as a proliferation of “predatory business”. San Antonio Chamber of Commerce 2017 market study that the PZ loses an average of $14 million per year in retail sales to the larger community.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
