Social Services & Public Safety (SSPS) Committee

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Social Services & Public Safety (SSPS) Committee met on March 17, 2026, at 1:00 PM in the Council Chamber of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, with Chairperson Reynolds presiding. The meeting's agenda consisted of two items, both informational in nature: a year-end update on ONE Lexington's 2025 activities and a progress update from Partners for Youth. One motion and vote was recorded during the course of the meeting. No public comments were heard.

Attendance

The following members were present at the Committee meeting held on March 17, 2026:

• Chairperson Reynolds
• Vice Chairperson Baxter
• Vice Mayor Dan Wu
• Councilmember Brown
• Councilmember Morton
• Councilmember Ellinger
• Councilmember Aveland
• Councilmember Beasley
• Councilmember Martin

No members were recorded as absent or late.

Votes and Decisions

The committee held one recorded vote during the March 17, 2026 meeting.

• Approval of the February 17, 2026 Social Services & Public Safety Committee Summary 5:51: The committee voted to approve the summary of its previous meeting. The motion passed by voice vote. No roll call was conducted, so individual member votes are not recorded.

ONE Lexington 2025 Year-end Update

6:32

Director Devine Karama presented the 2025 year-end update for ONE Lexington to the Committee. The presentation highlighted significant progress in the program's core public safety mission, most notably a 60% decrease in gun violence since 2021. Director Karama also outlined various community engagement initiatives undertaken by the organization during the year.

This agenda item (0080-23) was informational in nature, and no vote or formal action was taken by the Committee.

Partners for Youth Update

55:03

The Committee received an informational presentation on agenda item 0110-25, the Partners for Youth Update. Director Shanrika Shackelford delivered the update, covering a range of programs and initiatives under the Partners for Youth umbrella.

Director Shackelford's presentation highlighted several key program areas, including:

• Summer Youth Job Training Program – an existing initiative providing job training opportunities for youth
• Co-op Fellowship – a newly introduced program presented as part of the update

No vote or formal action was taken on this item, as it was presented for informational purposes only.

*Note: Additional details regarding program specifics, enrollment figures, funding levels, and any questions or concerns raised by Committee members are not available in the provided source materials.*