Title
Health and Human Services Agency, the Probation Department, and the Sheriff’s Office recommending the Board:
1) Authorize the submission of a grant application to the United States Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs - Bureau of Justice Assistance, for the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program grant in support of the Stepping Up Initiative in the amount of $400,000;
2) Authorize the Chief Probation Officer to execute the Grant Application, and associated certifications and questionnaires;
3) Delegate authority to the Chief Probation Officer to accept funding and execute the grant agreement, if awarded, including any extension(s) or amendment(s) thereto, contingent upon County Counsel and Risk Management approval; and
4) Authorize the Chief Probation Officer to administer any agreement or subsequent administrative documents relating to said award, including required fiscal and programmatic reports.
FUNDING: 80% Federal Funding / 20% matching contribution (met with existing AB 109 Funding).
Body
DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), the County Probation Department (Probation), and the Sheriff’s Office are recommending the Board authorize the submission of a grant application to the United States Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs - Bureau of Justice Assistance, for the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program grant. HHSA, Probation, and the Sheriff’s Office are further recommending the Board authorize the Chief Probation Officer to execute the Grant Application associated certifications and questionnaires for the application, accept funding if awarded, and execute the grant agreement, including any extensions or amendments, contingent upon County Counsel and Risk Management approval. Lastly, HHSA, Probation, and the Sheriff’s Office recommend the Board authorize the Chief Probation Officer to administer any agreement or subsequent administrative documents relating to said award, including any required fiscal and programmatic reports.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On January 5, 2016, the Board of Supervisors adopted and authorized the Chair to sign Resolution 002-2016 (Item No. 16-0003; Agenda No. 16), permitting the HHSA Director, the Chief Probation Officer, and the Sheriff to support “Stepping Up,” a nationwide initiative with the goal of reducing the number of inmates with mental illness in county jails.
On April 27, 2018, the United States Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs - Bureau of Justice Assistance, released a grant opportunity announcement for the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program grant. The purpose of the grant is to support cross-system collaboration to improve response and outcomes for individuals with mental illness or co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse who come into contact with the justice system, a purpose in line with the goals of the Stepping Up Initiative.
The Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program grant provides for multiple categories of funding and multiple funding amounts based on the type of category selected. In total, the Bureau of Justice Assistance anticipates awarding more than twenty-three million dollars in grant funds in up to fifty-eight awards. Should the County be successful in the application process, the County could anticipate a maximum award of $400,000, over a period of up to thirty-six months, based on the category for which funding is proposed. With the available funding, there is a requirement for matching funds, based on an eighty-percent (80%) grant funds to a twenty-percent (20%) matching funds split. While the specific activities related to the grant proposal are in development, HHSA, Probation, and the Sheriff’s Office request the Board authorize the submission of the application, utilizing AB 109 funding already committed to the Stepping Up Initiative as matching funds, and currently budgeted. However, it should be noted that future grant matches may reflect some County General Fund activities, but will not increase current budgeted amounts.
Should the Board authorize HHSA, Probation, and the Sheriff’s Office to pursue this opportunity, grant applications must be submitted by May 29, 2018. As a part of the application process for the grant, an authorized agent must sign a statement certifying compliance with certain terms and conditions, should the organization be selected for funding. Said certification also identifies the signer as a “Dually authorized representative” with the “legal authority to apply for Federal assistance” among other certifications. Most often, language indicating a representative must be “dually authorized” implies the representative must be authorized to not only apply for the opportunity but also execute an agreement if selected. As a result, HHSA, Probation, and the Sheriff’s Office seek the Board’s approval and designation of the Chief Probation Officer as the authorized representative specified, in order to meet the grant application and signature requirements.
ALTERNATIVES
Should the Board decline to authorize the submission of a grant application in response to this funding opportunity, the County would be ineligible to pursue funding available through the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program grant.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Probation, County Sheriff’s Office, County Counsel, Sheriff, and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
It is recommended that the Board approve this item, authorizing submittal of the grant application and delegating further authority to the Chief Probation Office.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no net county cost impact associated with this recommended action. Funding that has already been budgeted for the Stepping Up Initiative may be utilized for the required match funds. Should additional programs be added in the future relative to the Stepping Up Initiative, those programs may carry some General Fund cost. However, those programs will be evaluated for cost impact when presented for consideration and approval.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk of the Board to provide a Certified Minute order to HHSA upon approval of the Minutes by the Board.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Health and Human Services Agency Strategic Plan Project 2.4 “Efficiency in Funding”. County Strategic Plan “Public Safety: to coordinate services among providers and the community to leverage resources, reduce constraints, and enhance public safety.”
CONTACT
Patricia Charles-Heathers, Ph.D., M.P.A., Director