Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Jei Africa, Director, Behavioral Health, and Recovery Services
Subject: Acceptance of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program Administered by the Board of State and Community Corrections
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing:
A) The Chief of San Mateo County Health, or designee(s) to accept federal funds in the amount of $3,067,989 for the term of June 1, 2023 through December 31, 2026 through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program administered by the Board of State and Community Corrections; and
B) The Chief of San Mateo County Health, or designee(s) to execute any agreements and amendments to agreements associated with Justice Assistance Grant program.
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BACKGROUND:
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program allows states and units of local government, including tribes, to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime, based on their own state and local needs and conditions. Grant funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice, including for any one or more of the following program areas: 1) law enforcement programs; 2) prosecution and court programs; 3) prevention and education programs; 4) drug treatment and enforcement programs; and 5) mental health programs and related law enforcement and corrections programs. A JAG program award may be used to support criminal justice initiatives that fall under one or more of these allowable program areas. Funded programs or initiatives may include multijurisdictional drug and gang task forces, crime prevention and domestic violence programs, courts, corrections, treatment, justice information sharing initiatives, or other programs aimed at reducing crime and/or enhancing public/officer safety.
County Health’s current agreements associated with the JAG program are:
1. San Mateo County Behavorial Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) provides administrative, professional, clinical, and contractual support to and oversight of the expansion of the Community Wellness and Crisis Response Team (CWCRT) to East Palo Alto, Menlo Park and San Bruno city police departments for the period of June 1, 2023 through December 31, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $328,571.
2. Community based organization (CBO) StarVista provides mental health clinician crisis response services for the CWCRT project described above, for the period of June 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $2,439,413.
3. John W. Gardner Center at Stanford University provides data collection and program evaluation services for the CWCRT project, for the period of July 1, 2023 through December 31, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $300,000.
DISCUSSION:
County Health proposes to expand its CWCRT initiative, as described under Background above, to improve public safety and mental health by creating cross-sector collaboration and coordination among law enforcement and mental health services agencies throughout the County. First launched in 2021 as a pilot, the CWCRT program establishes the presence of a full-time mental health clinician within city police departments, to be dispatched on 911 calls with a known or suspected mental health component. For the expanded project, BHRS would continue working with StarVista and the three city police departments mentioned above.
As a key partner, StarVista was part of the State’s original JAG grant application. Additionally, StarVista is uniquely qualified to participate in the CWCRT expansion as one of only 12 accredited Crisis Call Centers in California. For these reasons we are requesting that this Board waive the competitive procurement process for the agreement with StarVista.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provision allowing amendment of the County’s fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
The amendment and resolution have been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney as to form.
It is anticipated that mental health emergency service visits will reduce by 35%; hospitalization of mental health crises will reduce by 60%; and linkages to services/resources for individuals and families experiencing mental health crises will increase by 80%.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2022-23 Actual |
FY 2023-24 Estimated |
|
Percentage of reduction in mental health emergency service visits |
25% |
35% |
|
Percentage of reduction in hospitalization of mental health crises |
50% |
60% |
|
Percentage of increase in linkages to services/resources for individuals and families experiencing mental health crises |
80% |
80% |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the grant and agreements is from June 1, 2023, through December 31, 2026 including the post-project evaluation. The agreement is not to exceed $3,067,989 for the 42-month term. $1,044,778 is included in the BHRS FY 2023-24 Recommended Budget. Of that amount, Edward Byrne Memorial JAG will fund $1,044,778 or 100%. Similar arrangements will be made for FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26. There is no Net County Cost associated with this agreement.