Community Services & Education Subcommittee Meeting – June 24, 2026
Community Services & Education Subcommittee Meeting – June 24, 2026
The Phoenix City Council’s Community Services and Education Subcommittee met on June 24, 2026, at approximately 6:15 PM (transcribed as morning session). The subcommittee approved routine items, received updates on the Cultural Pass program, eviction legal services, social work internships, the city’s naloxone distribution and overdose alert system, and the third annual 602 Day celebration. No public comments were made.
Consent Calendar
- Item 1: Approval of Minutes – The subcommittee unanimously approved the minutes from the May 27, 2026 meeting (motioned and seconded; all in favor).
- Items 2 & 3: Head Start Actions – The subcommittee approved Item 2 (authorizing the Human Services Department Head Start Birth to Five program to apply for a non-federal share waiver from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Head Start) and received the March 2026 monthly report (Item 3) by consent. Chair clarified Item 2 was for action; motion carried unanimously.
Discussion Items
- Cultural Pass Program (Item 4) – A presentation was given on the library’s Culture Pass program, launched in 2013 in partnership with Act One. The program provides free passes to over 20 cultural institutions across the state, available at all 17 library locations and the bookmobile. Key statistics: over 18,000 passes checked out in 2025, and nearly 8,000 through May 30, 2026. Councilmember Fernandez expressed interest in expanding the program. Chair Hodge Washington noted the program’s value for accessible education and plugged the concurrent “Quick Read-in Challenge” running through July 20, 2026.
- Eviction Legal Services and Housing Stability (Item 5) – Human Services Director Jacqueline Edwards presented eviction filing trends (from Maricopa County Justice Courts) and updates on the city’s Eviction Legal Services program (launched January 2025). From program start through March 2026, 766 applications were received; 436 were eligible and referred to providers; 67% of referrals were for legal representation; 25% of closed cases ended in negotiated settlement. Upcoming programs: Maricopa County Eviction Diversion Pilot ($800,000, targeting high-eviction zip codes, launch expected by end of August 2026) and the city’s Stability Assistance Program (up to $2,500 per household, projected to help 360 households, starting July 2026, focused on stabilization goals in housing, finance, education/employment). Three potential future strategies were discussed: a Preferred Landlord Program, a Landlord Risk Mitigation Fund, and a One-Stop Stabilization Appointment post-eviction. Chair Hodge Washington emphasized the need to identify funding for the eviction legal services program beyond the current ARPA interest funding (through June 2027). Councilmember Hernandez praised the prevention-focused approach. Councilmember Stark commended the collaboration with Maricopa County. Vice Mayor Hodge Washington thanked county partners and noted her priority on housing stability.
- Social Work Internship Partnerships (Item 6) – Presented by Housing Director Titus Matthews, Assistant Director Aubrey Gonzalez, and Deputy Director Zona Pacheco. The city has partnered for over 20 years with Arizona State University and Grand Canyon University to provide accredited social work field placements (BSW and MSW). Interns work across Human Services, Library, Fire, and Housing departments. Key outcomes: Since 2024, 9 interns in Human Services; Library interns launched Teen Connect program (73 youth attended) and connected 146 residents to services; Housing interns supported 592 households, conducted 107 community events, and assisted 3,620 households through food distributions. The Housing Department employs 10 former interns. Councilmember Hernandez asked about program costs (none for housing) and expressed interest in expanding to other departments. Councilmember Stark praised the program, noting his chief of staff is a social work graduate.
- Naloxone Program and Overdose Alert System (Item 7) – Public Health Advisor Yanitsa Soto and Special Project Administrator Kelly Kozada presented. Naloxone kit distribution in Q3 (February–April 2026): over 5,200 kits distributed, a 65% increase over Q2 and 68% increase over same quarter last year. Over 54 sites now have kits; four new housing department sites added. Since program inception (August 2023), 38,785 kits distributed. The Phoenix Opioid Overdose Alert System launched May 1, 2026. It uses daily overdose data from Phoenix Fire EMS to detect spikes (statistical deviations from historical predictions). On May 23, 2026, the system triggered a “red” (highest) alert with 29 suspected opioid overdoses in 24 hours. Alerts are sent to the Office of Homeless Solutions and Community Assistance Program, which are developing response plans (e.g., targeted outreach, naloxone distribution, linking to treatment). The system will be evaluated for effectiveness. No questions from subcommittee. Chair Hodge Washington praised the data-driven approach.
- 602 Day Celebration Recap (Item 8) – Presented by Deputy Communications Director Ashley Patton, Senior PIO Athena Sanchez, and Management Assistant Chanel Hooks. The third annual 602 Day (June 2, 2026) saw record participation: over 450 businesses/organizations (up from 100 in 2024 and 250 in 2025). Major destinations reported attendance: 16,000 at Phoenix Zoo, 26,000 tickets purchased for Arizona State Fair, 22,000 tickets for Diamondbacks game. TV/radio coverage reached an estimated 10 million viewers/listeners; social media posts earned approximately 11 million views. Positive online sentiment was 75%, described as “established civic fixture.” The city’s 602 Day website had over 130,000 page views. Employee engagement included a wellness step challenge (won by team with Vice Mayor, Councilman Waring, and Councilman Stark), peer recognition, and swag sales. Future goal: at least 602 participants in 2027. Councilmember Hernandez suggested earlier distribution of sticker packets, uniform branding templates for businesses, and adding filters to the interactive map (e.g., light rail-accessible businesses). Councilmember Stark highlighted the initiative’s origin with Vice Mayor’s chief of staff Zach Wallace (dubbed “Mr. 602”). Chair Hodge Washington commended the growth and community pride.
Key Outcomes
- Approved: Minutes from May 27, 2026; Item 2 (Head Start waiver application) on consent.
- Received and Discussed: Culture Pass update (Item 4), eviction legal services and housing stability update (Item 5), social work internship program update (Item 6), naloxone/overdose alert system update (Item 7), and 602 Day recap (Item 8). No votes required for these items; all were informational.
- Directives and Next Steps: Chair Hodge Washington requested staff to identify potential funding sources to continue eviction legal services beyond June 2027. The Maricopa County Eviction Diversion Pilot is expected to launch by end of August 2026. The city’s Stability Assistance Program will open in July 2026. The Overdose Alert System will be monitored and evaluated, with plans to expand partner involvement. Planning for the 2027 602 Day is underway, with targets to exceed 602 participating organizations.
- No Public Comments or Future Agenda Items Requested.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, everyone. I'd like to call this meeting to order. Welcome to the June twenty-fourth, twenty twenty-six community services and education subcommittee. I'd like to start off by introducing our city attorney, Micah Alexander. Mr. Alexander, please explain the role of public comment. For public comment, is that what you're asking for, Chair? Yeah, thank you. All right, so uh members of the public may speak for up to two minutes to comment on agenda items to be discussed. Comments must be related to the agenda item and the action being considered by the council. General comments that go beyond the scope of the agenda item. During citizen comment, members of the public may address the subcommittee for up to three minutes on issues of interest or concern to them. The issues being addressed, however, must be on the subject matters that fall within the jurisdiction of the Phoenix City Council, and upon which the Phoenix City City Council has the power to act. The Arizona public meeting law permits the subcommittee members to listen to the comments, but prohibits members from discussing or acting on the matters presented. Profane language, threats, or personal attacks on members of the public, council members or staff are not allowed. Speakers should not act in a disrespectful manner that is openly hostile to also introduce our interpreter, Elsie Duarte, who will provide a brief announcement. Thank you, Madam Chair Hodge Washington. Stated, my name is El C Duarte, and I'll be providing Spanish interpretation during today's community services and education session. I will now take a moment to address our Spanish speaking audience. Buenos días, my number is El C Duarte. Estarei interpretando la nostra audiencia de habla Hispana. Durante esta sesión del subcomité de servicios comunitarios y educación. But escuchar la reunion in espanhol simultaneamente. Favor de pasar por unos audífonos ubicados atrada de la sala de camaras. Las personas registradas para hacer un comentario publico. Interpretados al momento que usted termine de hablar. Gracias. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you so much. We will move into our agenda. Item number one is the approval of the CSE minutes from the May from May 27, 2026. Do we have a motion? I motion to approve the minutes from CSC April 22nd, 2026. Second. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. Thank you. The motion carries. Moving on, I'm going to consolidate item number two and three. Item number two requests authorize the human services department head start birth to five program to apply for a non-federal share waiver from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Head Start. And then item three is a head start birth to five month monthly. Sorry, birth to five monthly report from March. Are there any questions on either item one? Two or three. No questions from either of my colleagues. Madam Chair. Um item two is actually for action.
openpublica.com