Agenda Item Name:
Title
Approval of online/ digital Acceptance by staff of the Grant Award document from the Bureau of Justice Assistance for its FY 2020 Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Grant Program
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Presenter:
David Johnson: Alachua County Court Services, Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program, Program Manager
Description:
On Friday October 16, 2020, Alachua County received word that the grant 2 application submitted in May 2020 for the implementation phase of the “Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program: Embedding Clinicians in Law Enforcement Agencies” was approved for full funding. Award acceptance is now being conducted completely online in the new Grants Management System, JustGrants launched on October 15, 2020.
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval by the County Manager of acceptance of the grant award from BJA as developed by the Department of Court Services.
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Prior Board Motions:
This grant application was submitted to the Bureau of Justice on May 15, 2020 with the approval of the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners.
11/14/2017: Acceptance of FY 2017 Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Grant Agreement with BJA
5/22/2018: Approval of 1 FTE Program Manager
8/7/2018: Approval of Consultant Contract for Research via County Manager
9/30/2018: Approval of 1st Amendment to Extend Research Contract Time Period via County Manager
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
Fund 061 various accounts $729,639; 10/1/2020 - 9/30/2023
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Background:
The initial Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program was a cumulative award of $190,544 (Federal 152,435, County 38,109) has been operating since September 2017 and will sunset on November 30, 2020. This grant has conducted a comprehensive process analysis of the criminal justice and behavioral health intersect in Alachua County. This study resulted in a strategic plan presented to and accepted by the Public safety Coordinating Council and JMHCP partners. A second primary effort of the initial grant developed a strong collaboration between the criminal justice system, law enforcement agencies, hospitals, and behavioral health providers.
Grant 2 is a cumulative award of $1,135,144 (Federal $729,639, County/ Meridian/ Gainesville Police Department $405,505) designed to build upon this platform to deepen the collaborative efforts of the partners to better serve those living with mental illness who are risk for or come into contact with the criminal justice system. The grant has developed a executive oversight sub-committee including members of the PSCC and community stakeholders. The grant has also developed an operational team made or behavioral health stakeholders, law enforcement, and researchers designed to carry out the day to day efforts.
Grant 2 makes possible a 2nd co-responder model (law enforcement officer and clinician ride along model to respond to mental health related calls) and forensic peer specialists to provide in/ outreach to peers in the criminal justice system while also guiding them through the legal processes with light case management as needed. The grant cycle 2 is scheduled to operationalize on December 1, 2020. Grant 2 also focuses on building on its wide array of partners to better coordinate care between the systems involved.