Subject:
Title
Funding recommendations for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Trust Fund program.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Trust Fund (Trust Fund) recommendations from the Substance Abuse Advisory Board (SAAB).
• Annual funding of the Trust Fund is provided through the assessment of court fees for alcohol and drug-related charges.
• Funds are awarded to licensed substance use service providers for non-recurring expenditures such as equipment or renovations.
• The Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 available Trust Fund allocation is $35,000.00. This is the same amount as FY23 but a decrease from previous years of $40,000.00 in both FY22 and FY21 and $53,000.00 in FY20 through FY16. This is due to a decrease in the number of court fee assessments.
• A competitive application process is held annually to award grants ranging from $1,000.00 to $10,000.00. There were seven applications requesting a total of $60,932.30 in funding. Following the committee review process, the SAAB is recommending six Pinellas County non-profit agencies for awards.
• Since being recommended, one non-profit, Directions for Mental Health, Inc. d/b/a Directions for Living, has decided not to proceed with their award. Per the SAAB award recommendation if any of the agencies decline the award, funds will be disbursed equally to partially funded projects in order of ranking until funds are exhausted. Only WestCare Gulfcoast Florida, Inc was not previously fully funded, they will now be fully funded.
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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
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
Summary:
Summary
The Trust Fund awards are disbursed annually to recipients who are licensed as substance use treatment providers with the Florida Department of Children and Families. The County facilitates a competitive process to solicit applications for the Trust Fund. Applications are reviewed and selected for funding by the SAAB, a Sunshine Board. Funds must be used for nonrecurring expenditures such as equipment, special projects, training, renovations, and formalized prevention activities. On August 15, 2023, the SAAB approved the recommendation of six projects for funding. Recommended awards range from approximately $4,000.00 to $10,000.00. Directions has decided not to proceed. Per the SAAB award recommendation if any of the agencies decline the award, funds will be disbursed equally to partially funded projects in order of ranking until funds are exhausted. Only WestCare was not previously fully funded, they will now be fully funded.
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Background Information:
The Trust Fund provides funding to nonprofit organizations that provide alcohol and/or substance use treatment and/or prevention programs. Assessments collected by the Clerk of Court generated from $15.00 court fees as defined in Chapters 938.23 and 893.165 of the Florida Statutes, shall be remitted to the Board of County Commissioners to supply the Trust Fund. The funds must be used for one-time only, non-recurring expenditures such as equipment, special projects, training, renovations, and formalized prevention activities. To be eligible for an award the organization must be licensed as a substance abuse treatment provider under Chapter 397 of the Florida Statutes.
Fiscal Impact:
Appropriation in the amount of $35,000.00 dollars to support these agreements is consistent with the development of the FY24 Human Services Approved Budget.
Operation PAR Painting 3 buildings and mattresses $9,749.50
PEMHS Computer Monitors $ 5,399.52
Gulf Coast Jewish Family New laptops (3) $3,927.81
and Community Services, Inc.
Boley Centers, Inc. Greenhouse Project $5,032.91
WestCare GulfCoast-Florida Security Cameras $9,942.00
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Boley Centers, Inc.
Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services, Inc.
Operation PAR, Inc.
Personal Enrichment Through Mental Health Services, Inc. (PEMHS)
Westcare Gulfcoast-Florida, Inc.
SAAB
Attachments:
SAAB Trust Fund Grant Recommendations
Agreement