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Submittal of Grant Application to State Department of Children and Families for Criminal Justice, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Reinvestment Grant for Health and Human Services Department
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BRIEF OVERVIEW
The Department of Children and Families released the Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Criminal Justice, Mental Health and Substance Abuse (CJMHSA) reinvestment grant in December 2023.
Hernando County has previously been a subrecipient through Lutheran Services of Florida, the lead agency for the Department of Children and Families for substance abuse and mental health initiatives. LSF has opted not to be the lead agency for this application cycle; therefore, Hernando County is applying as lead agency this grant cycle.
The project goal is to reduce youth and adults arrested and incarcerated by providing programs that divert individuals with substance abuse and/or mental health considerations that will assist them in receiving appropriate treatment and lead to long-lasting recovery.
This will be accomplished through:
• Continuing implementation of alternative court programs for teens and adults that meet eligibility criteria.
• Expanding teen existing mental health diversion program to eligible adults using the same partners currently in place for teen program and establishing an adult civil citation program for eligible offenses.
• Utilizing existing Public Service Coordinating Council to coordinate with partner agencies on reviewing program data, making recommendations on program improvements, discuss opportunities or agencies to be involved, discuss education and outreach needs.
• Utilizing program coordinator to evaluate program data received from partner agencies against program performance measures, coordinate with agency partners to evaluate and enhance programs to meet grant targets.
The anticipated outcomes of this grant application are to:
• Reduce the number of residents with co-occurring mental health issues that are incarcerated,
• Increase the successful long-term recovery for residents processed through the alternative court system,
• Increase the number of residents that participate in community programs to prevent incarceration or criminal activity,
• Increase the number of residents that successfully complete individual treatment programs to reduce Baker Acts, arrest, and recidivism,
• Increase community awareness of mental health programs and
• Increase family and community support for individuals experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis.
The grant request is $400,000.00 per year for a period of three years, for a total of $1,200,000.00. Funds are proposed for a Program Coordinator, behavioral health and judicial professionals, and funding for critical gaps for program participants, i.e., insurance deductibles, application fees, and other fees as reviewed and approved by their case manager.
The Department of Children and Families requires a 1:1 match, either in cash or in-kind, to be eligible for the grant, for a total of $1,200,000.00 in match funds. The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, Baycare Behavioral Health and the Fifth Judicial Circuit have provided in-kind match for this grant application. Their contributions in addition to in-kind match contributed by Hernando County for grant administration equal $1,760,892.16, or 147% of the grant request.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The Department of Housing and Supportive Services has committed $116,325.00 in in-kind match funds over the life of the grant award from existing positions. No additional funds are requested as match for this application.
LEGAL NOTE
A matter of policy.
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board approve the submittal of the Criminal Justice, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse grant to the Department of Children and Families and authorize the signature of the County Administrator on the application documents.