Columbus, Georgia

Agenda Item #____1______





Columbus Consolidated Government

Council Meeting



May 20, 2003





Agenda report #_____60_____





TO: MAYOR AND COUNCIL



SUBJECT: SINGLE JURISDICTION DRUG COURT ENHANCEMENT

GRANT



INTIATED BY: JUVENILE DRUG COURT

__________________________________________________________________________



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

accept a two-year grant of $300,000 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 payment of the cash match portion of $1500 as a

transfer-in from the general 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 Courts 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 matching funds to implement a Juvenile Drug Court, one of the

largest awards in the nation that year. Approximately $200,000 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, the Juvenile Drug Court has provided drug

court services for 125 youth with drug and alcohol problems. Findings reflect

a 70% decrease in the number of offending juvenile drug court participants.

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

with active participation in drug court. 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 specialist, 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 Office of Justice Programs is making available enhancement grants to fully

operational drug courts. The Columbus Juvenile Drug Court would like to apply

for this two- year Single Jurisdiction Enhancement Grant in the amount of

$400,000, the federal portion being $300,000. This funding will allow us to

continue to function with the current staffing needs of the program as well as

enhance aspects of the Juvenile Drug Court.



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 two

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 staffing, supplies and equipment

necessary for the Muscogee County Juvenile Drug Court to function. Federal

funds will be used to provide continuation and enhancement of the existing

Juvenile Drug Court. In-kind services and a required match of $1500 supplement

the federal portion required to maintain the program at the present level. The

enhancement grant period begins on September 1, 2003 through August 31, 2005.

Application deadline is May 22, 2003.



Financial Considerations: Total program costs are estimated at $400,000 with

$300,000 representing the Federal portion and $100,000 representing the Local

Match. The Local Match is In-Kind services from the Muscogee County Juvenile

Court, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Muscogee County School District,

and volunteer professional services and agency links. There will also be a

local cash match of $1,500 as a transfer-in from the general fund to the

multi-governmental fund. The Single Jurisdiction Enhancement Grant does not

hold the City of Columbus responsible for any financial liability past the

two-year grant period.



Legal Considerations: The Columbus Consolidated Government has been notified

of its eligibility to receive these funds.



Recommendation/Action: Authorize the Mayor to submit and if approved accept a

grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs for

$300,000 for the operation of a Juvenile Drug Court Program and amend the

Multi-Governmental Fund by a like amount.