Subject:
Title
Grant agreements with the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, State Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, and Directions for Mental Health, Inc. d/b/a Directions for Living, to implement a Mental Health Court in Pinellas County.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the grant agreements with the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, the State Attorney’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office, and Directions for Mental Health, Inc. d/b/a Directions for Living for the implementation of a Mental Health Court in Pinellas County.
• These Agreements will establish a Mental Health Court (MHC) division in Pinellas County. The MHC will operate as a pre-trial intervention to address the frequent jailing of Pinellas County residents with serious mental health disorders by diverting those residents away from the criminal justice system and into community-based treatment and support services.
• The MHC implementation and initial operations will be funded by the 2021 Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program Grant award totaling $549,826.00 over the three-year period beginning October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2024. The required in-kind match, totaling $272,395.00 over the three-year grant period, will be contributed by the Court and State Attorney.
• Grant award was approved by the County Administrator on January 14, 2022, in Legistar Item 21-1492D.
Body
Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.1 Provide planning, coordination, prevention, and protective services to ensure a safe and secure community
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
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of county services and support
Summary:
These four Grant Agreements provide funding for MHC implementation and operations. The MHC is a mental health pre-trial intervention to address the frequent jailing of Pinellas residents with serious mental health disorders by diverting those residents away from the criminal justice system and into community-based treatment and social services. Agreements with the Courts, Public Defender, and State Attorney will fund essential court staff and implementation costs. The Agreement with Directions for Living will fund a care coordinator, therapist, and operational costs to provide stabilizing behavioral health treatment.
The MHC will divert about 80 individuals (approximately 40 per year in years two and three) with serious mental health disorders and possible co-occurring substance use disorders. The first year of the grant will focus on MHC planning and implementation.
Background/Explanation:
The Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program supports cross-system collaboration to improve public safety responses and outcomes for individuals with mental illnesses or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders who encounter the justice system. This program supports public safety efforts through partnerships with social services and other organizations that will enhance responses Pinellas County residents with mental health disorders.
Fiscal Impact:
Total funding amount of $536,826.00 will be allocated through these Grant Agreements as follows from October 1, 2021 - September 30, 2024:
- $306,042.00 - Directions for Living
o $31,212.00 in fiscal year 2022 (FY22)
o $137,415.00 in FY23
o $137,415.00 in FY24
- $119,578.00 - Courts
o $37,042.00 in FY22 and $39,435.00 in match
o $41,268.00 in FY23 and $80,812.00 in match
o $41,268.00 in FY24 and $126,423.00 in match
- $62,884.00 - Public Defender
o $9,826.00 in FY22
o $26,529.00 in FY23
o $26,529.00 in FY24
- $47,522.00 - State Attorney
o $8,120.00 in FY22
o $19,701.00 in FY23
o $19,701.00 in FY24 and $25,725.00 in match
The three-year funding amount of $549,826.00 is provided by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, award # 15PBJA-21-GG-03979-MENT. Required in-kind match, totaling $272,395.00 over the three-year grant period, will be contributed by the Court and State Attorney. The remaining $13,000.00 of the Grant, not allocated through these Agreements, is allocated to implementation trainings for MHC partners in FY22. The project ID associated with this grant award is 005557A.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign this Amendment is granted under Code Section 2-62 (a)(1).
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
State Attorney’s Office
Public Defender’s Office
Directions for Living
Suncoast Center
Attachments:
Agreement- Directions
Agreement- Courts
Agreement- Public Defender
Agreement- State Attorney
Appendices & Attachment 1
Attachment 2