DATE:02/16/99

SUBJECT: FINAL READING ORDINANCE 99-O-051
         Approval of an amendment to the contract with the Texas
         Department of Health and budget in the amount of $435,686
         (which consists of $230,386 in direct funds from the
         State and in-kind services match of $205,300) for an
         Abstinence Education Program p artnered between the City
         of Laredo Health Department and the Laredo Independent
         School District for the beginning January 1, 1999,
         through December 31, 1999.

INITIATED BY:                        STAFF SOURCE:
Florencio Pe¤a                       Jerry R. Robinson
City Manager                         Health Director
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: On February 1, 1999,  Council held public
hearing introducing ordinance and instructed staff to proceed with
final reading.

BACKGROUND:

The Texas Department of Health has contracted with the City of
Laredo to provide public health services to residents of
Laredo/Webb County and other areas through the City of Laredo
Health Department.

The Mi Futuro (My Future) Abstinence Education Pilot Program is a
collaborative effort between the City of Laredo Health Department
and the Laredo Independent School District with input from a
parent advisory group and  community leaders to provide e ducation
to the middle school students in making the ideal choice of
abstinence, to facilitate the students' development of self
responsibility in planning and managing their lives, and to
confirm the influence of parents and other significant adults have
in the lives of these youngsters.

The objectives of the program are to reduce the teen pregnancy
rate in Webb County and to decrease the number of adolescent
pregnancies in the Laredo Independent School District.  The goals
and objectives of the program will be achieved through curri culum
activities which focus on:

* How students view themselves and how to increase self-esteem;
* Students' understanding of values and qualities of a productive
  person-courage, honesty, respect and responsibility;
* The decision-making process - understanding peer pressure and
  how to deal with it;
* Types of relationships and types of love;
* The physical and emotional changes that occur during
  adolescence;

                   (CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)

FINANCIAL: The City of Laredo will receive funds in the amount of
 $230,386 (which consists of $230,386 in direct funds from the
 State and in-kind services match of $205,300 for a total budget
 of $435,686) for an Abstinence Education Program partnered by the
 City of Laredo Health Department and the Laredo Independent
 School District for the  period beginning January 1, 1999,
 through December 31, 1999.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

STAFF:  Recommends that Council approve ordinance.


                  ORDINANCE     NO. 99-O-051

APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT
OF HEALTH AND BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF  $435,686 (WHICH CONSISTS OF
$230,386 IN DIRECT FUNDS FROM THE STATE AND IN-KIND SERVICES MATCH
OF $205,300) FOR AN ABSTINENCE EDUCATION PROGRAM PARTNERED BETWEEN
THE CITY OF LAREDO HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THE LAREDO INDEPENDENT
SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR THE PERIOD BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 1999, THROUGH
DECEMBER 31, 1999; AND INCREASING REVENUE LINE ITEM 226-0000-323-
4077  FROM $0 TO $230,386, AND EXPEND ITURE LINE ITEM 226-6094
FROM $0 TO $230,386.

        WHEREAS, the Texas Department of Health (TDH) is
contracting with the City of Laredo to provide public health
services to residents of Laredo and Webb County through the City
of Laredo Health Department, and

        WHEREAS, the Mi Futuro (My Future) Abstinence Education
Pilot Program is a collaborative effort between the City of Laredo
Health Department and Laredo Independent School District with
input from a parent advisory group and community leaders to
provide education to the middle school students in making the
ideal choice of abstinence, to facilitate the students'
development of self responsibility in planning and managing their
lives, and to confirm the influence of parents and other signif
icant adults in the lives of these youngsters; and

        WHEREAS,  the objectives of the program are to positively
affect the teen pregnancy rate in Webb County and to decrease the
number of adolescent pregnancies in the Laredo Independent School
District.  The goals and objectives of the program w ill be
achieved through curricular activities which focus on:

* How students view themselves and understand how to increase
  their self-esteem;
* Students' understanding of values and qualities of a productive
  person-courage, honesty, respect and responsibility;
* The decision-making process - understanding peer pressure and
  how to deal with it;
* Types of relationships and types of love;
* The physical and emotional changes that occur during
  adolescence;
* Changes during puberty which could result in pregnancy;
* Comprehension of decisions/consequences, understanding that
  abstinence until marriage is the best way to lead a continually
  healthy and productive life; and
* All aspects of young adulthood; decisions and consequences,
  abstinence, commitment to respect oneself.

          NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LAREDO THAT:

Section 1: Revenue line item 226-0000-323-4077 funded by the Texas
           Department of Health be increased from $0 to $230,386.

Section 2: Expenditure line item 226-6094  is increased from $0 to
           $230,386.

Section 3: This grant provides funds for four Health Educator
           positions.

Section 4: The City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to
           execute the contract with the Texas Department of
           Health.

Section 5: The City Manager is hereby authorized to make transfers
           within the budget as allowable under the General
           Provisions of the existing general contract with the
           Texas Department of Health to meet the necessary costs
           to accomplish the scope of work for the project.

Section 6: Furthermore, the State share of program income (if
           applicable under the General Provisions of the existing
           general contract with the Texas Department of Health)
           directly generated by program activity, shall be added
           to the program budget funds and used to further program
           objectives.

        PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND APPROVED BY THE MAYOR

ON THIS _________________ DAY OF ________________________, 1999.


                           ________________________
                             ELIZABETH G. FLORES
                                    MAYOR
ATTEST:

_______________________
GUSTAVO GUEVARA, JR.
CITY SECRETARY

APPROVED AS TO FORM:


JAIME FLORES
CITY ATTORNEY