Subject:
Title
Public Safety Coordinating Council’s program recommendation for the Florida Department of Children and Families’ 2020 Criminal Justice, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Reinvestment Grant.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the Public Safety Coordinating Council’s program recommendation for the Florida Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) 2020 Criminal Justice, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Reinvestment (CJMHSA) Grant.
• Under the CJMHSA Grant process, the Public Safety Coordinating Council is required to select and recommend a program for Board approval.
• The selected project is a continuation of the 2016 CJMHSA Reinvestment Grant - Jail Diversion Expansion project with WestCare and the Office of the Public Defender, Sixth Judicial Circuit.
• The Jail Diversion Expansion Project offers a structured shelter/treatment program to adults who have a substance use or co-occurring mental health disorder and have been charged with a crime.
• The Grant will provide $1,200,000.00 over 36 months ($400,000.00 per year). A 100% in-kind match is required and will be provided by the Public Defender and WestCare.
• Applications are due to DCF on April 1, 2020.
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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
Summary:
The CJMHSA Grant will provide funding for expansion of the Public Defender’s Jail Diversion program. The primary goal of the program is to divert high-risk individuals (high systems users) from arrest, prosecution, or incarceration to treatment and support services. Anticipated outcomes include a decrease in recidivism, relapse, and risk factors/behaviors; and increases/improvements in employment, housing stability, self-sufficiency, overall health, and social connectedness, among others.
Background/Explanation:
The CJMHSA Grant Program was created by the 2007 Florida Legislature by s.394.656, F.S., and is housed within the Department of Children and Families. The purpose of the grant funding is for counties to plan, implement, or expand initiatives that increase public safety and avert increased spending on criminal and juvenile justice systems. Funds also go toward programs that improve the accessibility and effectiveness of treatment services for adults and juveniles who have a mental illness, substance abuse disorders, or co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders, who are in, or at risk of entering, the criminal or juvenile justice systems.
The current CJMHSA Grant supporting Jail Diversion Expansion will end June 30, 2020. At the close of the previous quarter, the program had enrolled 177 clients, with 96% of clients not reoffending while enrolled and 99% seeing a decrease in risk domains contributing to criminal behavior at discharge.
Fiscal Impact:
If awarded, an amount not to exceed $1,200,000.00 will be provided by Grant #RFA02L04GN1 from the Florida Department of Children and Families. A 100% match of in-kind services is required, to be provided by the Public Defender and WestCare.
Staff Member Responsible:
Daisy Rodriguez, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Florida Department of Children and Families
Public Safety Coordinating Council
WestCare Gulfcoast-Florida, Inc.
Office of the Public Defender, Sixth Judicial Circuit
Attachments:
Program Summary
OMB Intent to Apply
DCF Request for Applications - CJMHA Reinvestment 2020