DEPARTMENT: Health
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Vincent R. Nathan, PhD, MPH
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-wide
SUBJECT:
Authorizing the Submission of a grant application to the U.S. Department of Justice
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the submission of a grant application to U. S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and authorizes the acceptance of funds upon award in an amount up to $1,000,000.00 for participation in the OJJDP FY16 Safe and Thriving Communities: Uniting Community Based Violence Prevention, Defending Childhood and National Forum Approaches to Prevent and Heal Violence Program for a two (2) year term beginning October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2018. This action also authorizes a proposed program budget for the execution of the project which will be incorporated into Metro Health’s Stand Up S.A. Program, formerly known as the Cure Violence Project.
Furthermore, this ordinance authorizes the Director of Metro Health to initiate, negotiate, and execute any and all necessary documents and grant contracts to effectuate the application and acceptance of the referenced grant, and to execute contract amendments pertaining to this contract, to include: a) carry-over funds, when ascertained and approved by the funding agency through a revised notice of award; b) line item budget revisions authorized by the funding agency; c) modifications to the performance measures authorized by the funding agency and listed in the contract so long as the terms of the amendment stay within the general parameters of the intent of the grant; d) no cost extensions; and e) amendments which will provide supplemental grant funds to the grant by the funding agency in an amount up to 20% of the total amount initially awarded to the grant.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On May 15, 2014, City Council authorized the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) and Metro Health to accept an invitation only grant award in the amount not to exceed $2,000,000.00 from the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division to support the Cure Violence Project (Stand Up S.A.) beginning March 1, 2014 and ending September 30, 2016. An initial award amount of $977,372.00 for the first 19 months, January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016, was approved for initial exploration, training, and hiring personnel complement.
Stand Up S.A. is a program designed to prevent violence by treating the issue like an infectious disease. The program is based on the Cure Violence model, an evidenced-based public health approach to reduce and prevent violence in our streets. Stand Up S.A. focuses on interrupting transmission, changing behaviors and community norms.
ISSUE:
The proposed ordinance continues City Council's policy of seeking intergovernmental financial assistance for City crime prevention and enforcement programs addressing violent crime and gang activity. The program from Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention will enhance the City's efforts in combating and reducing violent crime in San Antonio by helping catalyze and further advance the prevention and intervention of youth victimization and violence, especially youth gun and gang violence, by focusing efforts in partnership with a limited number of localities and Tribes.
Outreach workers will be challenged to build trust with high risk individuals in order to influence their behavior and to redirect them to positive pursuits including jobs, job training, and returning to school.
ALTERNATIVES:
Current fiscal restrictions limit the City in employing an evidenced-based public health approach program for violence prevention. City Council can choose not to accept the grant award not to exceed $1,000,000.00. However, Cure Violence trains carefully selected members of the community, trusted insiders, to anticipate where violence may occur and intervene before it does. This program will not be supported in the event authorization is not granted.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Grant is a two (2) year project with an estimated amount up to $1,000,000 for a two (2) year term beginning October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2018. The grant will fund (7) positions. There is no impact on the General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of an ordinance authorizing Metro Health to apply for a US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Grant and the acceptance of funds upon award.