Subject:
Title
Funding Agreements with local nonprofit organizations and associated grant documents for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Countywide.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of three (3) funding agreements and associated grant documents to local nonprofit organizations for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Countywide (JAG-C) from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
• On June 25, 2025, the Substance Abuse Advisory Board (SAAB) approved the recommendation of seven (7) projects for funding to reduce crime and/or improve the criminal justice system in Pinellas County totaling $232,520. The Board approved recommendations on July 22, 2025 (25-0953A). Of the approved projects, Human Services will administer four (4) projects totaling $128,152.00. One (1) project supports the administration of the grant program ($23,252.00), three (3) are subawards, and the remaining three (3) projects will be administered directly by the awarded municipality.
• This item seeks approval and execution of three (3) recommended JAG-C projects and associated grant documents: 1.) Personal Enrichment through Mental Health Services, Inc. dba Eleos (Eleos) Restraint Chairs ($24,900), 2.) Homeless Emergency Project, Inc. dba Homeless Empowerment Program (HEP) Emergency Shelter Program for Justice-Involved Adults ($50,000), 3.) MORE Health, Inc. (MORE) Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention ($30,000).
• The Board delegated authority to the County Administrator as the authorized official to execute JAG-C grant documents on July 22, 2025.
• Funding in the amount of $128,152 has been included in the Human Services’ Adopted Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) General Fund Appropriation within the JAG-C Grant. No match is required. The agreements have a fiscal non-funding clause. The budget is for revenues of $258,280, which was an estimation from the prior year award amount. In this new grant, the County has been awarded $128,152, which is lower than FY25 and is the amount that will be funded.
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Strategic Priorities:
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.1 Improve public health
2.2 Enhance community safety
Smart Service Delivery
4.2 Achieve and maintain a high level of customer satisfaction.
4.3 Improve efficiency of service delivery through technology.
4.4 Pursue continuous improvement.
Summary:
These agreements provide funding for projects focused on reducing crime and/or improving the criminal justice system. The JAG-C is a formula-based pass-through grant of federal funds awarded to Pinellas County by the FDLE through the Bureau of Justice Assistance.
JAG-C applications were received through a competitive solicitation and reviewed by the SAAB. Of these projects, four (4) will be administered by Human Services. One (1) supports the administration of the grant program ($23,252.00), three (3) are subawards, and three (3) projects will be administered directly by the awarded municipality. This item is for three (3) of the seven (7) projects and included for execution are required grant documents for each award and three (3) agreements for the following nonprofits:
1. Eleos - Restraint Chairs $24,900
2. HEP - Emergency Shelter Program for Justice-Involved Adults $50,000
3. MORE - Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention $30,000
Background/Explanation:
On June 25, 2025, the SAAB approved the recommendation of seven (7) projects for funding. The Board approved recommendations on July 22, 2025. JAG-C Projects must fall within a specific federal purpose area that reduces crime and/or improves the criminal justice system.
The program is governed by Rule 11D-9 of the Florida Administrative Code (Code 11D-9) and funds are allocated to the County based partially on population and crime statistics.
The SAAB was established in 1989 to comply with Code 11D-9, stating Florida counties should appoint a substance abuse policy board that represents all components of the criminal justice system. The SAAB serves in an advisory capacity to the Board of County Commissioners and one of its primary duties is to review applications and recommend projects to be funded by JAG-C.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding in the amount of $128,152 has been included in the Human Services’ approved FY26 General Fund Appropriation within the JAG-C Grant; No match is required. JAG-C supports seven (7) projects in Pinellas County, of which four (4) are administered by Human Services, including an award for a JAG-C Analyst position, with a combined total of $128,152.
The City of Clearwater, City of Pinellas Park, and the City of St. Petersburg will administer their own programs directly with FDLE, with a combined total of $104,368.
The agreement has a fiscal non-funding clause, should funding become unavailable.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign these Agreements is granted under Code Section 2-62 (a)(1). Additionally, the Board delegated authority to the County Administrator as the authorized official to execute JAG-C grant documents on July 22, 2025, under Legistar file number # 25-0953A.
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Homeless Empowerment Program
MORE Health
Eleos
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement
U.S. Department of Justice
Attachments:
Eleos Agreement
Eleos Notice of Award
Eleos Subaward Certification
HEP Agreement
HEP Notice of Award
HEP Subaward Certification
MORE Health Agreement
MORE Health Notice of Award
MORE Health Subaward Certification
Appendix B
Attachment 2
Delegation of Authority Letter