TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all necessary documents to receive and expend grant funding from the California Emergency Management Agency for the Gang Reduction, Intervention and Prevention Program in the amount of $369,309 for two years; authorize a required in-kind match of $369,309; and increase appropriations in the Community Development Grants Fund (SR 150) in the Department of Development Services (DV) by $369,309.
(Districts 1,6,7,9)
DISCUSSION
The California Gang Reduction, Intervention, and Prevention Program (Cal GRIP) is a state grant awarded by the California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA). Cal GRIP was designed to provide youth, who are identified as being involved in criminal or gang activity or are at-risk of becoming so, with positive alternatives to gang participation in a safe environment. Cal GRIP promotes community awareness and education through anti-gang messages and enhances the coordination of existing youth and gang violence prevention efforts to maximize the return on the investment of limited resources.
In 2008, the City was awarded a first grant through Cal EMA, for the Cal GRIP Program. The first grant provided funding for reentry, education, job training and skill development, family and community services, and gang suppression activities. It was completed in December 2010.
In April 2010, a second Cal GRIP grant was awarded to the City. This grant encourages the City to work with agencies that can help address unmet community needs necessary to effectively address youth and gang violence. Our partners in this mission are the Department of Health and Human Services, the Police Department, the Long Beach Unified School District, and community and regional organizations. Work on this grant is in process and will be completed in March 2012.
On March 9, 2011, the Department of Development Services was awarded a third round of Cal GRIP funding. This third grant in the amount of $369,309 is a two-year grant beginning January 1, 2011 through December 31,2012. This grant will focus primarily on providing evidenced-based counseling services, mentors, and case management. This approach provides services to youth and their families and tracks adherence to a plan developed in partnership with a case manager. As with the prior awards, the third Cal GRIP grant will provide at-risk youth with positive alternatives to gang participation in a safe environment, and enhance the coordination of existing efforts and resources related to youth and gang violence prevention, intervention, and community services. The guidelines for the Cal GRIP grant require that police beats with increased gang activity statistics be the focus areas. The Cal GRIP grant focus areas are police beats 4, 5, 7, 21, and 23 (Attachment A).
The grant requires a 100 percent in-kind match for a total program budget of $738,618. The in-kind match will be provided in part by the Department of Development Services, the Long Beach Police Department, and several community-based organizations including Operation Jump Start, the California Conference for Equality and Justice, and For the Child. The objectives for the third Cal GRIP grant are attached (Attachment B).
This letter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Richard Anthony and Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on April 28, 2011.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on May 17, 2011 to allow timely implementation of the program activities.
FISCAL IMPACT
The receipt of $369,309 in grant funds is not currently budgeted. Therefore, an appropriation increase in the Community Development Grants Fund (SR 150) in the Department of Development Services (DV) is requested as part of the recommended action. The City's contribution towards the required 100 percent in-kind match will be provided through the existing appropriation for salaries in various City departments. There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund. This action will not have an impact on local jobs.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
AMY J. BODEK, AICP
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER