Subject:
Title
Program recommendation for the Criminal Justice, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Reinvestment Grant submission.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approve the Public Safety Coordinating Council’s program recommendation for the Criminal Justice Mental Health and Substance Abuse (CJMHSA) Reinvestment Grant submission.
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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
Summary:
The CJMHSA Reinvestment Grant Program requires the oversight of a Planning Committee designated by the Board of County Commissioners (Board). In Pinellas County, the Public Safety Coordinating Council (PSCC) was designated as the Planning Committee by the Board on October 16, 2007. They are responsible for selecting and recommending a program to the Board for approval.
With the release of a new solicitation for funding, the PSCC released a competitive process which was posted online and emailed to community partners. One proposal submission was received for consideration. On December 14, 2017, the PSCC agreed to submit the program “Reach & Day Program Expansions” for recommendation to the Board. The Pinellas County program offered by PACE Center For Girls, Inc. is a prevention, diversion and early intervention model that is responsive to the needs of at risk girls between the ages of 11-17 with the goal of keeping them out of the juvenile justice system. PACE will be responsible for submitting and managing the grant.
Background Information:
The CJMHSA Reinvestment Grant Program was created by the 2007 Florida Legislature by s.394.656, F.S., and is housed within the Department of Children and Families (DCF). The purpose of the grant funding is for counties to plan, implement, or expand initiatives that increase public safety and avert increased spending on criminal and juvenile justice systems. Funds also go toward programs that improve the accessibility and effectiveness of treatment services for adults and juveniles who have a mental illness, substance abuse disorders, or both, who are in, or at risk of entering, the criminal or juvenile justice systems.
The PACE Day program provides academic and social services during regular school hours in a safe, supportive environment tailored to girls’ needs, with an emphasis on relationships, relevant life skills, and the cultivation of girls’ strengths. Girls served in the Day program have multiple identified risk factors such as trauma, abuse and neglect, family instability, poverty, parental incarceration, academic underachievement, untreated mental and physical health and judicial involvement.
The PACE Reach program provides mental health intervention and support services that help girls transform their lives and avoid court system involvement while being maintained in their zone schools. Girls who participate in the Reach program have significant identified risk factors and high ACE scores (Adverse Childhood Experiences.) PACE will target Pinellas County communities in municipalities with the highest rates of juvenile crime and risky behavior and the densest population of at-risk girls, which, has been identified as St. Petersburg, Largo and Clearwater. Annually, PACE serves 136 girls at an average age of 15, 34% had a prior arrest and 89% had no involvement with the juvenile justice system within a year of leaving the program. Over three years, 97% were in school or employed.
Fiscal Impact:
As a not-for-profit community provider, PACE is applying directly with DCF to administer this grant funding for up to $400,000.00 per year for three (3) years. PACE is responsible for providing the required match for the CJMHSA grant.
The recommended action has no fiscal impact on Pinellas County Government.
Staff Member Responsible:
Lourdes Benedict, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Public Safety Coordinating Council
PACE Center For Girls, Inc.
Florida Department of Children and Families
Attachments:
Program Summary - Reach & Day Program Expansions
Request For Applications - CJMHSA Reinvestment Grant