Subject:
Title
Interlocal agreements with the Public Defender for the Jail Diversion Programs, SOAR Program, and Information Technology Position.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approve three (3) Interlocal Agreements with the Public Defender (PD) for the Jail Diversion Programs, SOAR Program, and Information Technology Position for Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17).
Body
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
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of county services and support
Summary:
The three (3) agreements with the PD outline the programs funded by the Board of County Commissioners (BCC). Each year, the BCC reviews agency budget requests for funding. Under the PD, both required and discretionary programs are funded to aid with operations and assist clients in need.
The Jail Diversion Recovery Program helps individuals whose legal involvement may be a result of untreated mental illness or co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders. This program includes Chronic Inebriate and Incompetent to Proceed offenders. Funding is for program services, care manager’s salary and two (2) case manager positions within the Public Defender’s office.
The Public Defender assists clients with obtaining Social Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. The program, known as SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR) Program, provides a Benefits Specialist to help individuals receive expedited disability benefits.
Regarding the Information Technology Position, the Public Defender will provide a State employee occupying a current full time employment position to perform necessary on-site installation and support services for computer equipment and peripherals purchased by the County.
Background Information:
As required by Florida law, the Public Defender’s Office provides legal advice, counsel, and defense services to needy and financially indigent citizens in the County accused of crimes. The Public Defender’s Office supports additional programming to help stabilize individuals and reduce their future justice system involvement.
The Jail Diversion program is designed as a post-arrest intervention to help stabilize and link clients to services and community resources to reduce their incidence and length of incarceration. With a focus on untreated mental illness or co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders, it is a collaboration with the Public Defender, State Attorney, Sheriff, the judiciary and local services providers. Program services include face-to-face assessments, transportation, transitional housing, psychiatric evaluations, treatment plans, prescription medication therapy, intensive case management, court liaison and community resources.
Once a client is identified and referred to the program, he or she is screened for eligibility and needs. A treatment plan is created to present to the Courts which can include recommendations for residential placement along with goals and objectives to serve the client’s needs. While the criminal case is pending, a court liaison will appear at necessary hearings at the request of the client’s attorney.
Upon final or temporary disposition of the case, a psychiatric evaluation is administered to determine whether to begin or continue appropriate medications. Referrals are often made to transitional housing and medication management appointments are scheduled. Clients continue to work closely with an assigned case manager and/or therapist until determined ready for discharge from the program.
The Jail Diversion Program has resulted in a reduction in rearrests for participating clients showing an overall percentage decrease of 93% from 2004 through 2015. From 2004 to 2015, the total number of clients served was 5,489. Arrests before Jail Diversion totaled 42,412. Rearrests after Jail Diversion total 2,955.
The SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) Program allows Social Security disability benefits to be received in three to six months, as opposed to one to three years on a regular application. This program assists clients in having benefits when they are released from jail.
The information technology position provides support services for the Public Defender’s Office. Article V of the State Constitution requires the County to provide for reasonable and necessary technology and communications functions for the Public Defender.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding has been budgeted for FY17 and the County shall deposit into the Public Defender’s Grants and Donations Trust Fund a total of $907,210.00 distributed as follows:
$794,480.00 for the Jail Diversion Recovery Program services (Jail Diversion $376,750.00, Chronic Inebriate Clients $250,000.00 and Incompetent to Proceed $167,730.00), $63,580.00 for the SOAR Program and $49,150.00 for the Information Technology Position.
The Public Defender shall submit invoices to the County for any approved expenses as designated in the agreements. Each agreement is effective October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017.
Staff Member Responsible:
Lourdes Benedict, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Public Defender’s Office
State Attorney
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Pinellas County Sheriff
Attachments:
Jail Diversion Recovery Program Agreement
SOAR Program Agreement
Information Technology Position Agreement