Subject:
Title
Interlocal Agreements with the Public Defender’s Office for jail diversion, juvenile crossover case managers, a therapist for the Ready for Life program, and an information technology position.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the Interlocal Agreements with the Public Defender’s Office for jail diversion, juvenile crossover case managers, a therapist for the Ready for Life program, and an information technology position.
• The Interlocal Agreements support programming and services offered by the Public Defender’s Office.
• Jail Diversion program directs the placement of individuals to appropriate mental health services in lieu of jail and the juvenile crossover program assists youth who are at-risk of re-offending and entering the adult justice system.
• The information technology position supports Article V requirements.
• The total amount of funding for the five Interlocal Agreements is $1,201,000.00 for the Fiscal Year 2020.
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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
2.4 Support programs that seek to prevent and remedy the causes of homelessness and move individuals and families from homelessness to permanent housing
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of county services and support
Summary:
Summary
The Interlocal Agreements provide funding for diversion and support programs offered through the Public Defender’s Office to aid with operations and assist clients in need. These programs help stabilize clients by connecting them to services and community resources. From 2004 to 2017, Jail Diversion has served 6,399 clients with a 93% success rate. As a result, the placement of these mentally ill patients in mental health programs has resulted in considerable cost savings to the jail.
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Background Information:
The Public Defender’s Office provides legal advice, counsel, and defense services to needy and indigent citizens accused of crimes in Pinellas County (County). Programs are in collaboration with the Public Defender, State Attorney, Pinellas County Sheriff, Judiciary, and local service providers.
The Jail Diversion Recovery Program specifically targets individuals whose legal involvement may be a result of untreated mental illness or co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders for services. Services include: assessments, transportation, transitional housing, psychiatric referrals, treatment plans, prescription medication therapy, intensive case management, court liaisons and other community resources.
The Crossover program focuses on identifying youth that are at a high risk of re-offending and whose cases cross over into both the dependency and delinquency divisions of the Unified Family Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit. This program benefits youth in foster care who are most in need of stability.
The therapist at Ready for Life assists youth that are aging out of the foster care system. The therapist will work with the youth to find employment, housing, and other vital skills to become successful and achieve independence.
The IT position performs all necessary on-site installation and support services for computers and equipment purchased by the County. Article V of the Florida Constitution requires the County to provide all reasonable and necessary technology as well as communication functions for the Public Defender.
Fiscal Impact:
The Public Defender’s total FY20 General Fund Proposed Budget is $1,644,980.00. Funding in an amount not to exceed $1,201,000.00 is included for the Interlocal Agreements as follows:
- $848,000.00 for the Jail Diversion Recovery Programs comprised of;
o $661,750.00 to fund program services
o $147,020.00 for two community case managers
o $39,230.00 for program expenses
- $72,000.00 for the Jail Diversion caseworker
- $146,000.00 for two Crossover case managers
- $78,000.00 for the Ready for Life therapist
- $57,000.00 for the IT position
Staff Member Responsible:
Daisy Rodriguez, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Public Defender’s Office
Attachments:
Jail Diversion Recovery Program Agreement
Jail Diversion Case Manager Agreement
Juvenile Crossover Case Manager Agreement
Ready for Life Therapist Agreement
IT position Agreement