DEPARTMENT: Police
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William P. McManus
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau Justice Assistance (BJA) for the FY 2020 Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program.
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing the acceptance of the FY 2020 Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program grant from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau Justice Assistance (BJA). The grant award is $750,000 for the period of October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2023. This ordinance will authorize an in-kind match not to exceed $499,104 and establishes a total budget of $ 1,249,104.
A briefing on this grant was presented to the Public Safety Committee on November 17, 2020, and the Committee recommended this item for City Council approval.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program grant will help augment the efforts of the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) Southwest Texas Fusion Center (SWTFC) with support from the Center for Healthcare Services (CHCS) to expand the use of mental health courts, establish a local multidisciplinary threat assessment/management team, and increase public safety in our local Qualified Opportunity Zones.
On October 1, 2019, under the guidance of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, the SWTFC created the Triweekly Threat Assessment Group (TTAG) (a pilot multidisciplinary threat assessment/management team). The group consists of a forensic psychologist, a licensed social worker, two mental health peace officers, three detectives, a paramedic, a representative from the county jail, and a representative from the mental health court. TTAG meets at minimum three times a week assessing, mitigating, and managing targeted violence threats. Most of their cases involve people with serious mental illness and/or co-occurring disorders. All mental/behavioral health cases are managed by CHCS staff. While the SWTFC operates in Bexar County, it has a 42-county area of responsibility. That is, TTAG serves as a consulting group for anyone in the area of responsibility requiring assistance with threats. This team has operated as a pilot program with successful outcomes. TTAG has assessed, mitigated, and managed 257 threats since its inception, often utilizing the sequential intercept model. This program seeks to fully implement and grow the operations of the TTAG program. With training, technology, and resources TTAG will prevent violent crime, reduce recidivism, and help people with serious mental illness and co-occurring disorders.
The grant application was authorized by a Grant Application Approval Form and the application was submitted to OJP on May 15, 2020. The Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program grant will pay on an overtime basis to help augment the SAPD’s efforts to reduce incidences of threats of targeted violence while expanding the use of mental health courts and establish a local multidisciplinary threat assessment/management team.
ISSUE:
The proposed ordinance continues City Council's policy of seeking intergovernmental financial assistance for mitigating threats of targeted violence. The program will enhance the City's efforts in assisting people with serious mental health illnesses and co-occurring disorders.
ALTERNATIVES:
This grant enhances the Police Department efforts to address threats of targeted violence and assist people with serious mental health and co-occurring disorders.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total program budget over the three-year grant period is $1,249,104. The total program budget includes grant funding of $750,000 and an in-kind contribution of $499,104. The grant funds will be sued for overtime, training, education, and equipment. The City’s in-kind contribution represents the salaries of the city positions dedicated to this effort.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance.