TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and all necessary documents and any subsequent amendments, with the John D. and Catherine MacArthur Foundation, in collaboration with the Urban Institute, to receive and expend grant funding in the amount of $50,000 for the Connections to Care (C2C) initiative, for the period of October 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019; and
Increase appropriations in the Health Fund (SR 130) in the Health and Human Services Department (HE) by $50,000, offset by grant revenue. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
In 2018, the John D. and Catherine MacArthur Foundation awarded the Urban Institute $2,100,000 to fund a Criminal Justice initiative that works to address over-incarceration by changing the way America thinks about and uses jails. This award enables the Urban Institute to administer and manage the Safety and Justice Challenge Innovation Fund (the Fund). The Fund engages and supports targeted efforts in competitively selected jurisdictions to safely reduce the misuse and overuse of jails through project grants combined with technical assistance. Through a competitive grant application process, the City of Long Beach (City) was selected to administer the Connections to Care Initiative (C2C Initiative).
The C2C Initiative seeks to focus on individuals experiencing persistent challenges, such as mental illness, substance use, and/or homelessness in addition to a history of repeat non-violent, low level misdemeanor arrests. These individuals will be identified through the pre-release assessments and treatment plans completed by the Jail Mental Health Clinician. The C2C Initiative will focus on connecting the individuals to health and social service providers upon release from the City Jail.
The C2C Initiative is an innovative, research supported model for holistic service delivery designed to increase intervention time, access to services, and prevent recidivism. The C2C Initiative will be integrated into the Justice Lab, through the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT), which provides care coordination and case conferencing for high utilizers of the City’s criminal justice system. The C2C Initiative will develop, implement, and evaluate a nine-month pilot of the coordinated linkages to services and will collaborate with the Justice Lab to engage service providers and develop a “warm handoff” process upon release from jail. This funding will provide transportation vouchers when a service provider is unable to meet an individual at the jail, eliminating one of the most common barriers to accessing services. Additionally, this funding gives the City an opportunity to coordinate a data-sharing infrastructure between City, County, and community-based organizations (CBOs) that will track outcomes and promote data-driven decision-making for future public safety initiatives. This collaborative and streamlined model is designed to promote health and wellness among individuals experiencing persistent challenges, in addition to reducing recidivism.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda T. Vu on October 1, 2018 and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on October 5, 2018.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on October 23, 2018, to commence the pilot program as soon as possible.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total funding amount is $50,000 for the period of October 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019, and will fully-fund the City’s costs related to the pilot program. An appropriation increase, offset by grant revenue, in the amount of $50,000 is requested in the Health Fund (SR 130) in the Health and Human Services Department (HE). No match or in-kind service mandate is required, and there is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER