City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: SEPTEMBER 5, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: MIKE MACKEY, COURT SERVICE UNIT
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution Endorsing Participation in the Virginia Juvenile Community Crime Control Act, as Required by the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice.[ROLL-CALL VOTE]
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ISSUE: Consideration of Council Resolution endorsing participation in the Virginia Juvenile Community Crime Control Act (VJCCCA), as required by the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), to provide alternatives to secure detention of youth.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Approve resolution endorsing Alexandria’s participation in VJCCCA as required by DJJ; and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: In 1993, the General Assembly received a number of requests to fund the construction of secure detention facilities for the pre-dispositional placement of juveniles. Because of this, legislators requested that the Commission on Youth study issues of access to alternative, non-secure pre-dispositional placements for juveniles. The study concluded that there were few non-secure pre-dispositional options available throughout the Commonwealth.
Simultaneously, Virginia was undergoing a reform of the statutes pertaining to the juvenile justice system. With increased emphasis on accountability and more severe sanctioning, many saw the need to intervene early in the lives of juveniles involved in the juvenile justice system in order to prevent their further offending and deeper involvement in the system. Few programs and services existed however, to provide such interventions.
In 1995, the General Assembly enacted the Virginia Juvenile Community Crime Control Act that restructured funding for local juvenile justice programming. Block grant funding was discontinued for all programs except secure detention. Established block grant funds formed the basis for VJCCCA. The General Assembly appropriated additional funding so that all localities could implement programs and services to meet the needs of juveniles involved in the juvenile justice system. As a component of the legislation, all localities were required to expend an amount equal to the sum of their fiscal year 1995 expenditures for pre-dispositional and post-dispositional block grant alternatives to secure detention. This required local funding is called the Maintenance of Effort (MOE).
VJCCCA funding to Alexandria has historically partially funded staff positions that have managed a variety of programs and services that have diverted youth from juvenile court involvement, prevented detention placements and reduced recidivism. Alexandria’s Community Policy and Management Team approves each VJCCCA plan. The current FY 2023 to FY 2024 plan partially funds several positions at the Sheltercare Program of Northern Virginia, supporting placements of Alexandria youth.
DISCUSSION: For FY 2024, the State allocation of VJCCCA funds to Alexandria is $185,026.00. Alexandria’s required MOE is $95,575, which has remained constant since 1995.
On July 7, 2023, the Court Service Unit was informed by DJJ that Resolutions are due from each locality by September 1. As Alexandria’s City Council is in recess, an extension was requested by the CSU and approved by DJJ. The deadline to provide a Resolution is now September 13, 2023.
Sample Resolution language was provided by DJJ, as follows:
Be it resolved that the (City Council/County Board of Supervisors) will participate in the Virginia Juvenile Community Crime Control Act and accept funds appropriate for the purpose set forth in this Act until it notifies the Department of Juvenile Justice, in writing, that it no longer wishes to participate.
Be it further resolved that the (City Manager/County Administrator) is hereby authorized to execute a local plan on behalf of the (City/County of ______________________________)
FISCAL IMPACT: If approved by Council, the Resolution will commit the City to an MOE of $95,575 until a time when Alexandria determines it no longer wishes to participate in VJCCCA.
ATTACHMENTS: Draft Resolution Regarding Participation in Virginia Juvenile Community Crime Control Act
STAFF:
Jean Kelleher, Acting Deputy City Manager
Joanna Anderson, City Attorney
Morgan Routt, Office of Management and Budget
Linda Odell, Court Service Unit