REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: AARON A. AGUIRRE, Director
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
SHELBY MACNAB, Assistant Director
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
BY: MELISSA NALAWAGAN, Program Manager
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
Actions Pertaining to the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Byrne Discretionary Grant:
1. Approving a grant subrecipient agreement (Agreement) with the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission (EOC) to provide reimbursement for mental health services for Advance Peace Fellows and violence impacted individuals in amount not to exceed $270,000.
2. Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to execute the Agreement on behalf of the City of Fresno.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Agreement with Fresno EOC and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the Agreement on behalf of the City of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Council action will enable the City of Fresno to enter into an Agreement with Fresno EOC to reimburse Fresno EOC for providing mental health services to Advance Peace Fellows and violence impacted individuals in an amount not to exceed $270,000. The Agreement does not include any funding for stipends as part of the Advance Peace program. Funding for the grant sub-recipient agreement comes from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Bureau of Justice Assistance Federal Byrne Community Project/Byrne Discretionary Grants Program.
BACKGROUND
On March 15, 2022, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act (Act) of 2022 which included a $300,000 discretionary grant appropriation to the City of Fresno to be used for the Advance Peace Fresno-Violence Prevention and Intervention Program. On August 11, 2022, PARCS staff applied for the grant funding and received a notice of award letter on September 7, 2022.
On December 1, 2022, Council authorized the PARCS Director or designee to accept the grant award. The PARCS Department has entered into an agreement with the Bureau of Justice Assistance and now desires to enter into an Agreement with Fresno EOC. The performance period for the grant program runs from October 1, 2022, through March 31, 2025.
In coordination with Fresno EOC, staff established the goals and objectives of the grant funded project. There are two goals; (1) improve the mental health and well-being of those impacted by violent crime to reduce cyclical and retaliatory violence by supporting social-emotional skill development and mental health services for fellows and individuals at-risk of or impacted by violent crime; and, (2) provide mental health screening, referrals, and trauma-informed therapeutic interventions to individuals who are at-risk of or have been impacted by violent crime to interrupt the cycle of violence, including Advance Peace fellows. The goals will be achieved by Advance Peace Fresno by providing comprehensive services that address the underlying contributors to gun violence to 90 individuals (30 unique individuals per year) and providing at least 1,500 hours of group family or individual therapeutic interventions.
Under the Agreement, Fresno EOC may request reimbursement not to exceed $270,000. The remaining $30,000 has been allocated to the City of Fresno PARCS Department to partially cover the costs associated with administering the grant including providing technical assistance to Fresno EOC, monitoring grant progress, processing reimbursements and fulfilling federal reporting requirements. All mental health services requiring licensure in the state of California shall be provided by a licensed mental health professional.
On June 5, 2024, Fresno EOC provided a letter confirming that Fresno EOC does not offer mental health services at a level of service that would fall under the California Board of Psychology Laws and Regulations 2024 edition. Should a participant need services Fresno EOC cannot provide, Fresno EOC has communicated that a referral to a local licensed healthcare practitioner will be made. A copy of this letter is attached.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Based upon the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, this item does not qualify as a “project”.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable as this resolution does not include a bid, award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
Up to $30,000 which is 10% of the grant ($300,000) has been appropriated to reimburse the City of Fresno for the costs associated with administering the grant.
Attachment:
Grant Agreement
Revised Agreement - Redlines
Service Referral Letter