TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary documents and any subsequent amendments, including amending the award amounts, with the Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office, to accept and expend Homeless Court funding in a total amount not to exceed $250,000, for the period of July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, at the discretion of the City Manager, to continue the Homeless Court Program in the City of Long Beach; and
Increase appropriations in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department by $250,000, offset by grant revenue. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Office of County Supervisor Janice Hahn facilitated the launch of the Long Beach Homeless Court Program in 2021. During the two-year pilot program, the City Prosecutor’s Office and the Health and Human Services Department (Health Department) served over 200 participants by resolving misdemeanor cases, infractions, and clearing old convictions.
The Health Department currently engages in extensive outreach and services for persons experiencing persistent challenges, such as mental illness, substance use, and/or homelessness. Many of those served also have a history of non-violent, low-level misdemeanor arrests and convictions, and the Long Beach Homeless Court Program continues to remove barriers to housing and employment.
Over the past five years, the City Prosecutor’s Priority Access Diversion Program has been connecting and reconnecting persons experiencing mental illness, substance abuse and/or homelessness to residential treatment programs in lieu of prosecution. The Long Beach Homeless Court, with funding from the Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office (CEO), will support the ongoing work of the Priority Access Diversion Program and the Homeless Services Division.
The grant funds will support: 1) removal of barriers to housing and employment; 2) a trauma-and resiliency-informed approach to the criminal justice system; and 3) strengthening the capacity to address homelessness and increase participation in the Homeless Court Program.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Anita Lakhani on July 24, 2023 and by Budget Analysis Officer Gregory Sorensen on August 3, 2023.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on August 15, 2023, to commence the program as soon as possible and spend down the funds before the deadline set forth by the funder.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will receive grant funding in an amount not to exceed $250,000, with the Los Angeles County CEO, to continue the Homeless Court Program for the period of July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. An appropriation increase is requested in the amount of $250,000 in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department, offset by grant revenue. Funding will support program and administrative costs. The grant has no match or in-kind service mandate requirement. Any indirect costs that might not ultimately be eligible for grant funds will be funded by the Health Operating Fund, General Fund, or other eligible funds. This recommendation has minimal staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. Grant revenues will offset the cost of one additional temporary full-time employee in the Health Department required to meet the scope of required services outlined by the grant.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
DOUGLAS HAUBERT
CITY PROSECUTOR
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER