Subject:
Title
Grant award with the U.S. Department of Justice for the 2023 Formula DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program on behalf of the Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval by the County Administrator of the grant award for the 2023 Formula DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Grant on behalf of the Pinellas County Forensic Lab (Forensic Lab).
• Grant provides recurring funding for the Forensic Lab.
• The grant supports Forensic Lab capacity to reduce and avoid backlogs through continued funding for 1.5 DNA Analyst positions along with equipment and supplies.
• The grant award provides funding in the amount of $260,324.00 over two years.
• No match is required for the grant. This grant has been partially included in the FY24 proposed budget.
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Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety & 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
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of the county services and support
Summary:
The DNA program seeks to increase the capacity of publicly funded forensic DNA laboratories to process more samples and reduce potential backlog of samples awaiting analysis. This grant continues to provide annual recurring funding to supplement the Pinellas Forensic Lab with 1.5 DNA Analyst positions and equipment/supply purchases to maintain DNA case workload.
Background/Explanation:
Previous DNA grant awards have been received for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 through FY2022. This FY2023 grant application requests continued funding for positions, equipment, and supplies, including allowing for the laboratory to analyze a minimum of 300 additional DNA cases and perform 200 additional technical reviews that would not be completed based upon current non-grant resources.
Fiscal Impact:
The total grant award is $260,324.00 over two years and no match is required.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to accept this grant award is granted under Code Section 2-62 (a)(1).
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Pinellas County Forensics Lab
Attachments:
Award Document from JustGrants