Title
Resolution to Amend the Fiscal Year 2021 Council Approved Budget to Accept and Appropriate the 2021 Virginia Drug Treatment Court Grant Awarded by the Virginia Supreme Court, Office of the Executive Secretary to Continue the Hampton Drug Treatment Court Program for the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court of Virginia
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
The purpose of this resolution is to accept State grant funds to permit the continuance of the Hampton Drug Treatment Court Program for the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court of Virginia.
Discussion:
Due to an overwhelming demand to provide an alternative to traditional court processing of felony, nonviolent, drug-addicted offenders, the Hampton Drug Treatment Court Program (the "Drug Court Program") was developed and implemented in February 2003. The first participants were enrolled in June 2003. The program has been very successful and is widely accepted by the Hampton community. Through community collaboration this program has become a successful joint venture.
The City contracts with the Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board to provide substance abuse education, treatment, case management services and community supervision through the operation of the Drug Court Program. The mission of the Drug Court Program is to reduce crime and recidivism by eliminating substance abuse. The community benefits greatly from the provided services.
The program offers the following services: 1) substance abuse treatment services ranging from 4 - 20 hours per week; 2) life skills education; 3) case management; and, 4) gender specific treatment. Through collaborative partnerships participants receive: 1) mental health treatment and/or medication management; 2) free or reduced health care; 3) GED education or tuition payments for technical school or college; 4) employment placement; and, 5) rental assistance for independent housing. Other benefits to the community include: the birth of drug-free babies and financial savings to jails, community corrections and courts as a result of reduced crime and recidivism.
The Drug Court Program is funded primarily through this annually-awarded grant from the Supreme Court of Virginia along with a specific appropriation from the City of Hampton. The annual funding amount varies based on the yearly program census. The State grant award for FY21 is $160,000. The City of Hampton provides in-kind support through building space at the City's Human Services building. In addition, $154,500 was approved as part of the FY21 Council Approved Budget, with $94,500 of that amount specifically designated to support the Drug Court and $60,000 designated to support the Veterans Drug Court, a court which provides an alternative to jail time to address certain special needs of veterans.
The Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board provides funding for Drug Court Program needs that are not covered by this grant or other City funding. No federal funds are received.
Impact:
State grant funds in the amount of $160,000. The City of Hampton's local contribution of $94,500 for the Drug Court and $60,000 for the Veterans Drug Court for a total contribution amount of $154,500 was approved as part of the FY21 Council Approved Budget and is disbursed according to the City's outside agency protocol.
Recommendation:
Rec
Approve.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Hampton, through the Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board, has been awarded the 2021 Virginia Drug Treatment Court Grant through the Virginia Supreme Court, Office of the Executive Secretary for the continued operation of the Hampton Drug Treatment Court Program for the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court of Virginia;
WHEREAS, the Fiscal Year 2021 award is in the amount of $160,000;
WHEREAS, the City of Hampton's contribution includes (1) funding in the total amount of $154,500 ($94,500 for the Drug Court and $60,000 for the Veterans Drug Court) approved as part of the FY21 Council Approved Budget and disbursed according to the City's outside agency protocol and (2) in-kind use of City facilities; and
WHEREAS, the Grant award covers the fiscal period of July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia hereby amends its Fiscal Year 2021 Council Approved Budget to accept and appropriate the 2021 Virginia Drug Treatment Court Grant in the amount of $160,000, and any supplemental funding, awarded by the Virginia Supreme Court, Office of the Executive Secretary to the Grant Fund in accordance with the Grant agreement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia authorizes the City Manager, or her designee, to take any and all necessary actions to implement this grant award.