Report Prepared by: Stephanie R. Dietz, City Manager
Title
SUBJECT: Acceptance of Grant Award for a Maximum of $977,647 From the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) and the California Violence Intervention and Prevention (CalVIP) Program for a Three-Year Pilot Program, in Partnership with Merced County Probation, to Provide Prevention and Early Intervention Services to Youth Through the Pathways to Success Program
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers accepting grant funding up to a maximum of $977,647 from the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) and the California Violence Intervention and Prevention (CalVIP) Program for a three-year pilot program, in partnership with Merced County Probation, to provide prevention and early intervention services to youth through the Pathways to Success Program.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Accepting grant funds up to a maximum of $977,647 from the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) and the California Violence Intervention and Prevention (CalVIP); and,
B. Authorizing the City Manager or Deputy City Manager to execute the contract/standard agreement, including any amendments, and other necessary documents pertaining to the life of the grant.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by Staff; or,
2. Approve with modifications; or,
3. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items as requested by Council; or,
4. Continue to a future Council meeting; or,
5. Deny.
AUTHORITY
Municipal Code Section 200; Local Government Planning Support Grants Program pursuant to Chapter 3.1 of Health and Safety Code (Sections 50515.05; Chapter 159, Statutes of 2019).
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
This grant program aligns with the City Council’s FY 2022/23 Goals and Priorities to provide youth programs aimed at community violence prevention.
DISCUSSION
History
Formerly known as the California Gang Reduction, Intervention & Prevention (CalGRIP) Grant Program, the State Legislature established the California Violence Intervention and Prevention (CalVIP) Grant Program in Fiscal Year 2017/18. CalVIP encouraged jurisdictions to develop local approaches that would meet the diverse needs of each community. In 2019, the CalVIP grant was codified as the Break the Cycle of Violence Act (Chapter 735, Statues of 2019) and established the authority and duties of the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) to administer CalVIP, including the selection and criteria for grants and reporting requirements to the Legislature.
On June 10, 2022, BSCC released the CalVIP Grant Program Request for Proposals (RFP). This RFP made available $53,440,829 through a competitive process for projects that address local impacts due to the legalization of cannabis in California.
On July 5, 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution 2022-44 authorizing the submittal of an application/proposal for the CalVIP Grant Program and authorized the City Manager to execute the standard grant agreement, any amendments, and other necessary documents related to the grant application.
On July 15, 2022, the City submitted the CalVIP Grant Program Proposal package to the BSCC. The proposal includes a three-year pilot program, in partnership with Merced County Probation, to establish the Pathways to Success Program. This program is a multi-agency, collaborative approach to working with youth experiencing violence and their families. The pilot program will offer wrap-around reentry support to youth and serve as a prevention hub where supportive services and programs will be offered to at-risk and probation involved youth and their families.
The City of Merced’s contribution as part of the CalVIP grant will be to establish a new Division within the City Manager’s Office, the Office of Neighborhood Safety, Development, where four Peer Support Specialists will be assigned to participate in the Pathways to Success Program. Reporting directly to the City Manager, Peer Support Specialists will be assigned a caseload and offer peer support, direct links to resources, systems navigation, tutoring, job training, and family strengthening resources needed to build a positive community network that acts as an alternative to violence. Included in the pilot program will be the salary and benefits associated with the four grant funded positions, necessary supplies and services needed to support these activities, professional development to aid Peer Support Specialists in providing culturally and evidence-based services, direct individual, and family support.
On September 9, 2022, funding recommendations went before the BSCC Board and the CalVIP Scoring Panel. The BSCC Board unanimously passed the agenda item which approved funding for the City of Merced’s grant application/proposal.
Staff is seeking City Council approval to accept the BSCC grant award of $977,647, to execute any necessary grant agreement documents and/or future amendments associated with the implementation of the three-year pilot program.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
This grant requires an in-kind or cash match. $250,000 of Measure Y has been earmarked as cash match for this grant. In addition, the City of Merced will pursue a Memorandum of Understanding to obtain in-kind match commitments from Merced County Probation Department in the amount of $819,810. Staff will return at a future meeting to request the appropriation of grant funding and the allocation of staff associated with implementation.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Grant Award Notice
2. Grant Application Package