Agenda Item # 2
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
01/25/2011
Agenda Report # 597
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: 2011 Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program
INITIATED BY: Muscogee County Mental Health Court
Recommendation: On November 30, 2010 the U.S. Department of Justice and Bureau
of Justice Assistance announced an expansion of Mental Health Court funding
beginning in 2011. This funding is through a competitive grant and can be used
for expanded Mental Health Court services such as transitional housing,
supported education, and supported employment for participants in Mental Health
Court. The grant is in the amount of $199,088 and is multi-year and
renewable. The Muscogee County Mental Health Court is recommending that the
Mayor and Council authorize the city manager to submit a grant application for
$199,088 to the Bureau of Justice Administration, Justice and Mental Health
Collaboration Program and if approved authorize the Muscogee County Mental
Health Court to enter into a contract with the New Horizons Community Service
Board to provide transitional services for participants in the Mental Health
Court program.
Background: Grants from the Bureau of Justice Assistance for Mental Health
Court have traditionally funded services such as assessment and treatment. New
Horizons presently provides these services and is well equipped to provide
transitional services under the terms of the expanded grant. Eligibility for
grant funding falls under three categories: Category 1 (Planning), Category 2
(Planning and Implementation), and Category 3 (Expansion).
Analysis: The Muscogee County Mental Health Court has reviewed the proposal
presented by New Horizons and has approved the organization to provide expanded
services to our participants.
Financial Considerations: This grant will be in the amount of $199,088 and
must be expended within two years of the date awarded and has no local match
requirement.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: This is a two year grant which does
not obligate the Columbus Consolidated Government to continue the program when
the grant expires.
Legal Considerations: The Columbus Consolidated Government is eligible to
receive funds from the Bureau of Justice Administration, Justice and Mental
Health Collaboration Program and to authorize the Muscogee County Mental Health
Court to enter into a contract with New Horizons Community Service Board to
provide transitional services.
Recommendations/ Actions: Authorize the city manager to submit a grant
application for $199,088 to the Bureau of Justice Administration, Justice and
Mental Health Collaboration Program and if approved authorize the Muscogee
County Mental Health Court to enter into a contract with the New Horizons
Community Service Board to provide transitional services for participants in
the Muscogee County Mental Health Court program.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION IN THE
AMOUNT OF $199,088 TO THE BUREAU OF JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION, JUSTICE AND MENTAL
HEALTH COLLABORATION PROGRAM TO PROVIDE TRANSITIONAL SERVICES TO PARTICIPANTS
IN THE MUSCOGEE COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH COURT AND IF FUNDED AUTHORIZE THE MENTAL
HEALTH COURT TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR $199,088 WITH THE NEW HORIZONS
COMMUNITY SERVICE BOARD TO PROVIDE THESE SERVICES. NO LOCAL MATCH IS
REQUIRED. AMEND THE MULTI-GOVERNMENTAL FUND BY THE AMOUNT AWARDED.
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance has
offered a grant of $199,088 under the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration
Program. This grant supports a broad range of activities to prevent and
control crime, provide transitional services to Mental Health Court
participants, and to improve the criminal justice system. Uses of these funds
include transitional housing, transitional services, supported employment, and
supported education, personnel, contractual support, and training, as well as
research and evaluation activities that will improve or enhance law enforcement
programs, mental health programs, employment training programs, and
transitional services programs; and,
WHEREAS, the Columbus Consolidated Government is eligible to receive $199,088
in funding, with no local match requirement. The Mental Health Court is
allocated to receive $199,088 from these funds to provide transitional
services; and,
WHEREAS, the Muscogee County Mental Health Court will develop a contract with
the New Horizons Community Service Board which outlines how the funds will be
used as well as, reporting requirements, monitoring, evaluation and the
procedures for reimbursement; and,
WHEREAS, the Muscogee County Mental Health Court has reviewed New
Horizon?s proposal, professional staff, ability to provide services, and their
facilities. As a result the court has approved them as a treatment provider.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS
FOLLOWS:
That the Mayor and Council hereby authorizes the city manager to submit
a grant application in the amount of $199,088 to the Bureau of Justice
Administration, Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program to provide
transitional services to participants in the Muscogee County Mental Health
Court and if funded authorize the Muscogee County Mental Health Court to enter
into a contract for $199,088 with the New Horizons Community Service Board to
provide these services. No local match is required. Amend the
Multi-Governmental Fund by the amount awarded.
________________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia,
held the 25th day of January, 2011 and adopted at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of __________ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor McDaniel voting __________.
Councilor Thomas voting __________.
Councilor Turner-Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
_______________________________ _________________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor
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