REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
February 10, 2022
FROM: AARON AGUIRRE, Director
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
BY: Aldi RAMIREZ, Assistant Director
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
MAGGIE NAVARRO, Program Manager
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
SUBJECT
...Title
***RESOLUTION - Authorizing the Director or Designee of the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Community Engagement Division (ONSCE) Within Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services (PARCS) to Submit a Grant Application Totaling up to $2,200,000 to the California Violence Intervention and Prevention Program to Fund Violence Intervention Programming at Camp Fresno, Fresno Summer Nights Programming, a Community Coordinator and Street Outreach Coalition Training Modules, and Authorizing Execution of the Grant Agreement with the Board of State and Community Corrections by the PARCS Director or Designee (Citywide)(Subject to Mayor’s Veto).
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the ONSCE Division’s submission of a grant application totaling up to $2,200,000 to the California Violence Intervention and Prevention Program to fund violence intervention programming at Camp Fresno, Fresno Summer Nights programming, a Community Coordinator and Street Outreach Coalition Training Modules, and authorize execution of the grant agreement with Board of State and Community Corrections by the PARCS Director or designee.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff requests authorization to submit a ONSCE grant application totaling up to $2,200,000 to fund violence intervention programming at Camp Fresno, Fresno Summer Nights programming, a Community Coordinator and Street Outreach Coalition Training Modules. Authorization is also requested to allow the PARCS Director or designee to execute all related grant agreements for the project, should funding be awarded. This application aligns with the purpose of the grant program request for proposal, which is to improve public health and safety by supporting effective violence reduction initiatives in communities that are disproportionately impacted by violence, support, expand and replicate evidence-based violence reduction programs.
BACKGROUND
On November 19, 2021, the Board of State and Community Corrections released a request for proposals for California Violence Intervention and Prevention (CalVIP) program. Formerly known as the California Gang Reduction, Intervention & Prevention (CalGRIP) Grant Program, the State Legislature established the CalVIP Grant Program in Fiscal Year (FY) 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, Statutes of 2019) and established the authority and duties of the Board of State and Community Correction (BSCC) to administer CalVIP, including the selection criteria for grants and reporting requirements to the Legislature. Historically, CalVIP has received approximately $9 million each year. In 2021, the state Budget Act provided a one-time augmentation of $200 million across three fiscal years to enhance CalVIP through 2024. The total available funding through this CalVIP Request for Proposals (RFP) is $209,650,000. The deadline to submit grant proposal is February 11, 2022. If awarded funding, the grant service period is three years, running from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2025.
The purpose of the CalVIP Program is to improve public health and safety by supporting effective violence reduction initiatives in communities that are disproportionately impacted by violence, particularly group-member involved homicides, shootings, and aggravated assaults. AB 1603 requires that CalVIP grants be used to support, expand and replicate evidence-based violence reduction strategies “that seek to interrupt cycles of violence and retaliation in order to reduce the incidence of homicides, shootings, and aggravated assaults.” (Pen. Code, § 14131, subd. (c).) Cities are determined to be eligible to apply for funding based on the number of homicides per year in the years immediately preceding the grant. According to the Board of State and Community Corrections analysis which utilized DOJ data, the City of Fresno (City) ranked in the top ten cities with disproportionate numbers of homicides. Cities with greater than 5 homicides per year are eligible to apply for grant funds. Local data indicates that in 2020, the City had 74 homicides and 732 shootings. In and 2021, there were 74 homicides and 688 shootings.
The City has previously been awarded a total of $3,901,948 in funding from CalVIP and is currently administering an award totaling $1,263,368 under the ONSCE Division in the PARCS Department. The current award funds sub-contractors to provide street outreach, case management, hospital-based violence intervention crisis responders, tattoo removal, violence reduction training, victim advocacy training, service referral, trauma counseling, after school programming and mentoring.
The Memoranda of Understanding for this work was adopted by Council on October 14, 2021. PARCS is requesting additional funding from CalVIP to provide evidenced-based violence intervention programming and services at Camp Fresno, augment Fresno Summer Nights Programming in neighborhood hot spots and expanded access to Street Outreach Coalition Training opportunities. The proposed projects align with recommendations included in the Fresno Commission on Police Reform Final Report (2020), which places an emphasis on de-escalation, investment in more extra-curricular activities, mentorship programs and work programs, and recommend increased resources for counseling and/or restorative circles for youth that have experienced harm.
|
Grant Summary |
|
Programming |
Grant Funds |
Local Match |
|
|
|
Sources: staff and, volunteer time, facility rental |
|
Camp Fresno |
$1,393,400 |
98% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fresno Summer Nights |
$103,800 |
1% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Street Outreach Coalition Training Modules |
$326,600 |
1% |
|
|
Grand Total: |
$1,823,800* |
$1,823,800 |
|
*Council authorizing submission of up to $2,200,000 in grant funds
The City is requesting a total grant amount of 1,823,800 over a three year period, with $1,393,400 of that for Camp Fresno. If awarded the grant, CalVIP requires grantees contribute a 100 percent (100%) match to all grant funds awarded. The match can be cash or in-kind, or a combination of both. Cash match is income from a source other than grant funds that is budgeted for the project. CalVIP funds cannot be used to match for another CalVIP grant. On the other hand, in-kind match is the project’s contribution of non-cash outlay of materials or resources to support a percentage of the grant award activities. Examples include donated office supplies equipment, professional services, staff time, and volunteer time. Because the grant requires 100% match, the City needs to demonstrate an overall commitment of 1,823,800 of cash or in kind match over three years. The PARCS Department plans to meet matching requirements based on the below breakdown:
• Facilities Rental Fees: $454,482 (this reflects the Master Fee Schedule rates for Camp Fresno Junior, Day Use, One and Two Bedroom Cabins, and the Camp Fresno Recreation Hall)
• Staff Salaries: $1,153,678 (this includes existing and proposed Mid-Year and Fiscal Year 2023 positions for all three programs: Camp Fresno, Fresno Summer Nights, and Street Outreach Coalition Training Modules)
• Volunteer Time: $215,640 (this captures 400 people per year at six hours per day at a rate of $29.95. The $29.95 is a standard volunteer rate provided the California Association of Nonprofits)
Grant Funds from this program will be used to cover the cost for an estimated 1,000 at-risk youth and young adults to attend Camp Fresno, PARCS staffing to plan and operate one-day and overnight trips, round-trip transportation for all participants, security, supplies, sleeping bags and other personal equipment needed to facilitate Camp Fresno participation. PARCS staff will be responsible for offering therapeutic recreation activities, career exploration/workforce development opportunities and general camp operations. Subcontractors will be sought to provide motivational speaking from credible messengers in areas of personal empowerment, community building, conflict resolution, restorative justice and resiliency. The program’s target audience for services is at-risk youth and young adults between the ages of 7-25, living in City neighborhoods that have a higher than average rate of homicides, shootings and aggravated assaults as determined by the Fresno Police Department Street Violence Bureau Data. Neighborhoods that meet these criteria are located in the Central, Southeast and Southwest districts, see attached map. Existing street outreach efforts and case management efforts will help identify and recommend at-risk youth and young adults for attendance. PARCS will also work with community organizations serving at-risk youth and young adults, local school districts, foster group homes, and Fresno County Probation to promote the opportunity more broadly.
Fresno Summer Nights programming includes citywide evening programming (7pm-12am) hosted at local park facilities in Fresno. The purpose of the programming during evening hours, such as basketball and soccer tournaments and car shows, is to activate parks to provide positive and safe opportunities for community building across neighborhoods during the summer hours where crime is at its highest. During the event, community partners will be invited to host resource booths to build community trust and provide information about resources, promote workforce development opportunities and share violence prevention and intervention programs such as Advance Peace, Root and Rebound, Honorable Discharge, and Project Rebound. A Community Coordinator will be hired to facilitate outreach for Camp Fresno as well as outreach and coordination of Summer Nights programming and Street Outreach Coalition Training Modules.
Street Outreach Coalition Training Modules will also be expanded to local community-based organizations that provide gang and violence intervention services. Street Outreach Coalition Training Modules are designed to strengthen and build the capacity of violence intervention agencies, including, law enforcement agencies. Training cohorts include violence de-escalation, peace brokering, safety promotion, gang intervention and outreach. If awarded funding, a subcontractor will be sought following procurement guidelines to provide Street Outreach Coalition Training. A subcontractor will also be sought to provide all required evaluation services to measure the impact of the training, summer nights programming and Camp Fresno programming. All subcontracting will follow City procurement processes.The City Attorney’s office has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
A resolution applying for grant funding is not a project for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable as this resolution does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
This resolution will have no immediate impact on the General Fund. Under the terms of the grant agreement, matching funds are required at a rate of 100% and can be contributed as cash or in-kind services. The PARCS Department plans to meet matching requirements from volunteer and in-kind staff resources (salaries and benefits), as well as the rental value of Camp Fresno facilities. If grant funds are awarded, funding will be programmed in future fiscal year budgets brought before Council.
Attachment(s):
Resolution
Service Area Map