Agenda Item #____5____
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
April 18, 2006
Agenda report #____132_____
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: Edward Byrne Memorial Grant
INITIATED BY: Juvenile Drug Court
___________________________________________________________________________
Recommendation: Approval is requested to submit and if approved accept a grant
in the amount of $35,891 or the approved amount 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 cash match of ($11,963) 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, 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, the Juvenile Drug Court has provided drug
court services for 343 youth with drug and alcohol problems. Findings reflect
a 70% decrease in the number of offending juveniles drug court participants.
There has been a dramatic drop in the average number of adjudicated offenses
with active participation in drug court. Having graduated 157 participants,
amazingly only 5% have re-offended. 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 $35,891 with a cash match of $11,963. This funding will
allow for the Juvenile Drug Court to pay for one full time case manager
(35,434), and one part-time administrative assistant (11,519). The remaining
$901.00 will be used for training expenses.
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 cash match of $11,963 will be
required to maintain the program at the present level. The Edward Byrne
Memorial Grant begins on July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007. The application
deadline is May 5, 2006.
Financial Considerations: The Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice
Programs, requires an $11,963 cash match. This match will be funded from
contingency fund.
Legal Considerations: The Columbus Consolidated Government has been notified
of its eligibility to receive these funds. The Edward Byrne Memorial Grant
does not hold the City of Columbus responsible for any financial liability past
the grant period.
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 $35,891 or the amount awarded/approved amount by the grant for the
operation of a Juvenile Drug Court Program and amend the Multi-Governmental
Fund by a like amount.
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