Columbus, Georgia

Agenda Item #___1____



Columbus Consolidated Government

Council Meeting



April 5, 2005



Agenda report #____45____



TO: Mayor and Council



SUBJECT: Edward Byrne Memorial Grant



INITIATED BY: Juvenile Drug Court

____________________________________________________________________________



Recommendation: Approval is requested to submit an application and if approved

accept a grant in the amount of $100,000 from the Bureau of Justice Assistance,

Office of Justice Programs, for the operation of a Juvenile Drug Court Program

and amend the Multi-Governmental fund for the awarded/approved amount of the

federal portion and authorize a 25% cash match ($25,000) as a transfer-in from

the contingency fund to the multi-governmental fund.



Background: Beginning in 1999, the Columbus Juvenile Court became actively

interested in combating teen drug use in our area through a Juvenile Drug Court

Initiative. The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice made grant funds

available for a collaborative team from Muscogee County to visit operating

juvenile drug courts in the region and to attend training sessions on a

national level. The team was comprised of representatives from the Courts, the

Public Defender?s Office, the District Attorney?s Office, the Muscogee County

School District and Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention and Treatment

specialists.



In 2000, the Muscogee County Juvenile Court began a pilot program Juvenile Drug

Court. The pilot program was an opportunity to develop a model for a Muscogee

County Juvenile Drug Court. This model proved quite successful for the few

juveniles who participated in the pilot.



In February 2001, the City Council approved a resolution authorizing the

Muscogee County Juvenile Court to apply for federal funds in order to implement

a Juvenile Drug Court.



On September 1, 2001, the Muscogee County Juvenile Court was awarded $473,857

in federal funds to implement a Juvenile Drug Court, one of the largest awards

in the nation that year. Approximately $125,000 was provided from the Juvenile

Drug Court Team members, the Columbus Consolidated Government and the local

business community in the form of an In-Kind match.



Since becoming fully operational on November 2001, the Juvenile Drug Court has

provided drug court services for 250 youth with drug and alcohol problems.

There has been a dramatic drop in the average number of adjudicated offenses

with active participation in drug court. Having graduated participants, only 6

have re-offended with only four being re-adjudicated. The recidivism rate for

juveniles who graduated from the program is 17%. The positive impact on the

families served is immeasurable. Parents who feared for their children now

have hopes for a bright future.



The federal funding from this grant has allowed the Juvenile Court to hire a

part-time Drug Court Director, two case managers and two part-time

administrative specialists, dedicated to the Juvenile Drug Court. It has also

paid treatment, individual/family counseling, tutoring and random drug screens

for the program.



The Juvenile Drug Court in Columbus is truly a collaborative effort fully

involving the Juvenile Courts, the Public Defender?s Officer, the District

Attorney?s Office, Probation Services, the Police Department, the Muscogee

County School District, Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention and Treatment

specialists, local businesses and families.



The Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs provides these

grant funds for funding to Georgia to enforce state and local controlled

substances laws and to improve the criminal justice system, with an emphasis on

the reduction of violent crime, illegal drugs, and other serious offenses. The

Columbus Juvenile Drug Court would like to apply for the Edward Byrne Memorial

Grant in the amount of $98,000. This funding will allow for the Juvenile Drug

Court to pay for two full time case managers, and two part-time administrative

assistants and required training for the Drug Court team members.



Analysis: The Muscogee County Juvenile Drug Court has had a positive effect on

the juveniles and families served in particular and the community at-large in

general by reducing juvenile drug use, juvenile criminal activity and

encouraging participants to become productive members of society. As one of the

original Juvenile Drug Courts in the State of Georgia, the status of the

Muscogee County Juvenile Court is raised. The citizens of Columbus can be proud

of the work their community is doing to ensure children have the opportunity to

live up to their full potential.



Without the federal funding this program will be eliminated as resources are

unavailable from other sources to continue the operation of the Juvenile Drug

Court. Federal funds will be used to provide for the continuation of services

through the Juvenile Drug Court. A required (25%) cash match will be required

to maintain the program at the present level. The Edward Byrne Memorial Grant

begins on July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006. The application deadline is

April 29, 2005.



Financial Considerations: The Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice

Programs, requires a 25% cash match of $25,000. The Edward Byrne Memorial

Grant does not hold the City of Columbus responsible for any financial

liability past the grant period.



Legal Considerations: The Columbus Consolidated Government has been notified

of its eligibility to receive these funds.



Recommendation/Action: Authorize the City Manager to submit and if approved

accept a grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice

Programs for $100,000 for the operation of a Juvenile Drug Court Program and

amend the Multi-Governmental Fund by a like amount.