Common use of Problem Statement Clause in Contracts

Problem Statement. A. Describe the problem(s) this project will try to impact: As students walk & roll to schools in Parkrose School District (PSD), they encounter several barriers & hazards, including personal safety, unsafe driver behavior, inadequate biking & walking infrastructure, lack of multimodal knowledge, & limited access to transit. Additionally, Parkrose families have endured increased hate & bias, bullying, & gun violence. All these conditions make it uncomfortable for students to walk/roll to/from school & around their neighborhoods. For some students these barriers/hazards have also increased absenteeism. For others, it has decreased their ability to participate in after-school programming. Even before the pandemic, PSD experienced bus driver shortages. The pandemic has amplified the shortage & more students are left with limited options for their school commute. At 2 elementary schools, many students no longer receive bussing. Unfortunately, some families & youth lack knowledge of transportation options; & if they do know about options, they may not be familiar with how to use the modes or which routes feel safe. Parkrose students need opportunities to learn & practice basic traffic safety skills & how to use our multimodal system. B. Provide summary data about the problem(s): The Parkrose School District is in East Portland, where deep systemic disparities exist in the city's transportation system. For example, pedestrians in E. Portland, especially East of I-205 are more than twice as likely to be killed in a traffic crash than pedestrians in other parts of Portland. East Portland generally, bears the burden of historic underinvestment in infrastructure and has poor air quality and limited community resources. This is especially troubling because E. Portland also has high concentrations of communities of color, low-income people, and communities with limited English proficiency (LEP). Among the 94 Portland neighborhoods, Parkrose ranks 82nd in college graduate rates, social vulnerability and English proficiency, and 61% of household incomes earning less than the city’s median income ($75,000). Portland’s gun violence has gone up exponentially from 2019 through 2021 – at 144% increase in its homicide count and a 241% increase in non-fatal shootings that resulted in injury. A large number of these shootings occurred in the Parkrose neighborhood, and nearby Parkrose High School. C. List current activities and associated agencies already involved in solving the problem(s): Elevate Oregon & the SUN Service System (SUN) are both well- established, supportive organizations for the Parkrose community. Elevate Oregon was founded in 2010 as a principled, community response to identified inequities & disparities in access, opportunities, & outcomes for at-risk youth. Elevate began its work in PSD to address the growing dropout rate through a mentoring & curriculum model designed to promote achievement, leadership, & self-sufficiency. SUN leads to educational success & family self-sufficiency through an integrated network of social & support services for youth, families, & community members. Within the SUN Service System, SUN Community Schools are school-based delivery sites for a comprehensive set of services: educational, enrichment, recreational, social & health services. Through the Academy, elementary & middle schoolers will learn a variety of safety skills, such as pedestrian & personal safety. In addition to important life & traffic safety skills, the Academy will provide leadership, school credit, & volunteer or employment opportunities for participants. These opportunities can also be an important resume builder for college or careers.