Agenda Item Wording:
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Authorization to accept a grant and appropriate $221,552 from the Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing for the FY22 Implementing Crisis Intervention Teams-Community Policing Development Solicitation Grant; and authorize the City Manager and Chief of Police to sign an MOU and amend, if necessary, between the County of Tulare and City of Visalia.
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Deadline for Action: 8/21/2023
Submitting Department: Police Department
Contact Name and Phone Number: Chief Jason Salazar, ext. 4215, jason.salazar@visalia.city <mailto:jason.salazar@visalia.city> ; Captain Dan Ford, ext. 4151, Daniel.ford@visalia.city <mailto:Daniel.ford@visalia.city> ; Financial Analyst Liz Ybarra, ext.4250, liz.ybarra@visalia.city <mailto:liz.ybarra@visalia.city>
Department Recommendation:
Authorization to accept a grant and appropriate $221,552 from the Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing for the FY22 Implementing Crisis Intervention Teams-Community Policing Development Solicitation Grant; and authorize the City Manager and Chief of Police to sign an MOU and amend, if necessary, between the County of Tulare and City of Visalia.
Summary:
On May 31, 2022, the Department applied for the Implementing Crisis Intervention Teams - Community Policing Development Solicitation Grant through the Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing (COPS). The goal of this grant is to implement or expand the efforts of Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) in responding to mental health consumers. The Department’s objective in applying for this grant is to expand our current collaboration with Tulare County Health and Human Services (HHSA) to provide additional resources to members of the community experiencing homelessness. The proposed expansion would add one additional full-time HHSA staff member to the Department’s Homeless Outreach and Proactive Enforcement (HOPE) Team. By adding this additional member, we will be able to provide additional follow-up services, ranging from mental health to a wide range of social services, to community members experiencing homelessness in Visalia.
On October 13, 2022, the Department was notified that it was awarded $221,552 over the course of two (2) years to fund the additional position. In order to satisfy the requirements of the grant, an MOU between the City and Tulare County is required for acceptance of the grant. This Grant was only made available to law enforcement agencies.
Background Discussion:
On May 5, 20222, the COPS Implementing Crisis Intervention Teams - Community Policing Development grant opened to solicitations. This grant included an estimated funding of $9.5 million for an estimated 28 agencies in the nation. The Department applied for this grant on May 31, 2022. The goal of this grant was to expand upon the current collaboration with HHSA.
In 2018, the Department’s HOPE Team began working with HHSA in response to our growing homeless crisis. This collaboration was focused on increasing our ability to provide mental health resources to members of the community who were experiencing homelessness and unable to gain access to mental health services. The collaboration includes a mental health clinician that is partnered with a HOPE officer to conduct proactive outreach for members of the community experiencing homelessness and coping with mental health concerns. During the three (3) year period leading up to this grant opportunity, over 550 referrals were made as a result of this team. Despite the success of this program, the department’s collaboration with HHSA identified that we would be able to accomplish more in the area of co-occurring substance abuse response and providing improved access to social services.
In working with HHSA, they agreed to continue funding their current Mental Health Clinician in addition to adding another full-time position, identified as a Community Health Worker (CHW), funded through this grant. By adding this position, the Department’s collaborative effort would be able accomplish two goals. The first of these would be to provide improved follow-up with individuals that have been referred to HHSA through this program. By increasing the staff, we are able to limit the amount of time that staff are tied up with the referral process and get them back in the field to increase the proactive contacts they make. The second goal is to increase the number of services that we are currently providing. Through the use of a CHW, we are able to increase the number of services provided in outreach settings. It is well known that issues related to mental health are often accompanied by co-occurring substance abuse disorders, and lack of housing and social services. By expanding the role of this second full-time position away from the limitations of mental health specific responses, staff are able to increase the services provided to members of the community experiencing homelessness.
On October 13, 2022, the COPS awarded a grant in the amount of $221,551.79 to cover all salary and benefits for an additional HHSA staff member. This amount was identified based on consultation with HHSA staff. The amount also includes funding to send one member of the Department and one member from HHSA to the annual CIT conference. Despite receipt of the award, Department staff and members from HHSA were delayed due to unforeseen MOU concerns identified by HHSA. This issue has since been resolved. The final step in the process of accepting the grant is to ensure that an updated MOU, containing the requirements of the grant, is approved by the City and Tulare County. Because the MOU will be presented to the Tulare County Board of Supervisors, staff request authorization for the City Manager and Chief of Police to make minor amendments to the MOU, if necessary for approval by the Board of Supervisors.
Fiscal Impact:
Appropriate $221,552 in the General Fund and set up CIP to capture the cost of the program for the entire 2 years. Tulare County HHSA will issue a quarterly invoice to City of Visalia Police Department for salary and benefits for a mental health professional which will be reimbursed by the Grant. The Grant is effective from 9/1/2022 to 8/30/2024. There are no matching funds required. The Grant allows for an extension of the award period to receive additional time to implement the program. Funds may not be used to supplant (replace) other funding sources. MOU will be submitted to Grant administrator as soon as it is fully executed.
Prior Council Action: N/A
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Deny the motion.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
Authorization to accept a grant and appropriate $221,552 from the Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing for the FY22 Implementing Crisis Intervention Teams-Community Policing Development Solicitation Grant; and authorize the City Manager and Chief of Police to sign an MOU and amend, if necessary, between the County of Tulare and City of Visalia.
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: Award Letter and MOU