Subject:
Title
Grant application in partnership with the Sixth Judicial Circuit for the U.S. Department of Justice Fiscal Year 2024 Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by County Administrator of the grant application and Memorandum of Understanding for the U.S. Department of Justice Fiscal Year 2024 Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program.
• The proposed Mental Health Court expansion project is a collaborative partnership between Pinellas County, the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court, State Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, Directions for Living, and Suncoast Center.
• The expansion project will include in-patient and transitional housing services to reduce recidivism and promote public health and safety, the use of validated assessment tools to prioritize defendants at risk of recidivism, and effective transition and reentry services. Providers for the expanded services will be identified upon award.
• Applicants must demonstrate that at least one criminal justice agency and one mental health agency will participate in the administration of the program through established roles and responsibilities described in an attached memorandum of understanding.
• The County is seeking $550,000.00 over three years ($183,333.33/year) from 10/1/2024 through 9/30/2027.
• This solicitation requires a 20% cash and/or in-kind match in years one and two, and a 40% cash and/or in-kind match in year three. Match contributions will be provided by the Court and key partner agencies.
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Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.2 Be a facilitator, convener, and purchaser of services for those in need
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
Summary:
Under the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Justice and Mental Health Collaborative Program (JMHCP), the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court will continue to work with multiple stakeholders to plan for and implement an expansion of the current Mental Health Court, which diverts third degree felony offenders, and potentially select misdemeanor cases with serious mental health disorders and possible co-occurring substance abuse disorders, away from the criminal justice system and into community-based treatment and support services.
Background/Explanation:
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP) supports grants to help eligible entities plan, implement, or expand comprehensive collaboration programs to improve public safety and public health for preliminarily qualified individuals with mental health disorders (MHDs) (including people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)) or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders (MHSUDs) who come in contact with the criminal justice system.
Pinellas County received FY21 JMHCP grant funding in the amount of $549,826 to pilot the Pinellas Mental Health Court program, addressing continual barriers to identifying and treating frequent utilizers. The proposed expansion of Mental Health Court will include in-patient and transitional housing services to reduce recidivism and promote public health and safety, the use of validated assessment tools to prioritize defendants at risk of recidivism, and effective transition and reentry services.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding in an amount not to exceed $550,000.00 is provided over three years by the Justice and Mental Health Collaborative Program from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance. There is a match requirement of 20% cash and/or in-kind match in years one and two, and a 40% cash and/or in-kind match in year three. Match contributions will be provided by the Court and key partner agencies.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign this application and MOU is granted under Code Sections 2-62 (a)(1) and (a)(4).
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Sixth Judicial Circuit of the Florida
Sixth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office
Sixth Judicial Circuit Public Defender’s Office
Directions for Living
Suncoast Center
Attachments:
DOJ Certified Standard Assurances
DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying, Debarment, Suspension
Intent to Apply Approval
FY24 JMHCP Grant Solicitation
Project Abstract
Memorandum of Understanding