TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary documents, any subcontracts, and any necessary amendments, including any amendments to the award amount, with the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC), to accept and expend grant funding in the amount of $1,102,698, for the Long Beach Activating Safe Communities Program in the Washington Neighborhood, for the period of October 1, 2020 through December 31, 2023, with the option to extend the agreement for one additional year, at the discretion of the City Manager; and
Increase appropriations in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department by $1,102,698, offset by grant revenue. (District 1)
DISCUSSION
The City of Long Beach (City), Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) will implement the Long Beach Activating Safe Communities Program (LB-ASC) to interrupt the cycle of violence and improve safety and well-being in the Washington Neighborhood. Anchored in the City’s violence prevention collective impact initiative and using a shared safety approach, LB-ASC will establish a citywide gun violence response system in partnership with key system leaders and community stakeholders. LB-ASC also seeks to reduce gang and street gun violence by focusing on youth most at risk for engaging in or becoming victims of violence through an evidence-based street outreach, life coaching, and case management neighborhood strategy. In partnership with the City’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine, LB-ASC will also organize new and expanded evening activities in the Washington Neighborhood through the Be Safe Program at Seaside and 14th Street Parks.
To reduce gun violence in the Washington Neighborhood, the Health Department will employ a comprehensive, collaborative, equitable, and neighborhood-based framework that: identifies and prioritizes youth-defined strengths and needs; activates key neighborhood spaces; and, catalyzes the development of citywide gun violence prevention, intervention, and recovery infrastructure and policies. Using this framework, the Health Department will implement two interlacing and community-informed strategies grounded in best practice literature on violence prevention and intervention:
1. Establish a City Gun Violence Response System in partnership with a passionate and highly committed group of multi-stakeholders and system leaders; and,
2. Activate the Washington Neighborhood using a public health evidence-based street outreach, life coaching, and case management strategy focused on programming for youth and emerging adults between the ages of 13-24.
The funding award will also provide financial resources to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine to organize and offer new and expanded evening activities in the Washington Neighborhood through the Be Safe Program.
The Health Department currently serves as the backbone entity for the citywide violence prevention initiative driven by a cross-sector group of committed, inclusive, and diverse system leaders and community stakeholders working together, with a shared safety approach to improve safety and well-being for everyone in Long Beach. This grant directly supports the neighborhood level violence prevention goals and strategies in Long Beach.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Taylor M. Anderson on October 13, 2020 and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on October 29, 2020.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on November 17, 2020, to allow the Health Department to begin the program as soon as possible.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will receive grant funding in the amount of $1,102,698 from October 1, 2020 to December 31, 2023. An appropriation increase in the amount of $1,102,698 is requested in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department, offset by grant revenue. The grant has a match requirement of $1,102,698, of which $981,873 will be met through existing City services and 14th Street Park capital improvements. The remaining amount of $120,825 will be met through services provided by community partner organizations as part of their contractual agreement with the City. The City’s portion of the match requirement is currently appropriated in the following fund groups and departments:
Department Fund Group Total
Parks, Recreation and Marine Capital Projects $200,000
Police General Fund $208,837
Health and Human Services General Fund $198,036
Economic Development Community Development Grants $375,000
Total $981,873
This recommendation is anticipated to have a minimal impact on staff hours beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. Due to grant requirements and objectives, one new position will be requested in the Health and Human Services Department to support the delivery of services, funded by grant revenues.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER