City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: APRIL 16, 2025
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: DESHA HALL WINSTEAD, DIRECTOR, ALEXANDRIA CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Continued Funding Agreement with the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice for the Provision of a Behavioral Health Staff Position.
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ISSUE: Consideration of continued funding agreement with the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) for a state-funded position that provides behavioral health services to youth involved in the juvenile justice system.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Approve the attached Memorandum of Agreement for DJJ to reimburse the City of Alexandria up to a maximum $129,185 in FY 2026, with gradually anticipated increases to cover increased salary and benefit costs, and equipment upgrades and fees; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: On December 19, 2023, the City of Alexandria entered into a Memorandum of Agreement that enabled DJJ to reimburse the City for a behavioral health professional to provide services to court-involved youth referred by DJJ’s 18th District Court Service Unit (CSU). DJJ utilizes mental health initiative funding to support local positions co-mingled at CSUs across the Commonwealth. These positions are created via partnership between DJJ and localities.
DISCUSSION: The overarching purpose of this partnership with DJJ is to continue to fund a full-time, state-funded position that is currently providing substance use services.
These services include comprehensive evaluations, individual therapy and relapse prevention treatment, group therapy, parent education workshops, and programming for the Court. These services are needed based on the high numbers of youth coming to the Court’s attention with substance use concerns.
FISCAL IMPACT: This grant does not require any City match and provides for 100% of the funding for the position, including salary, benefits, and equipment. The Therapist is part of the Forensic Behavioral Health Services Team and supervised by the Therapist Supervisor (housed at the CSU). The CSU provides an office and therapeutic meeting space for the Therapist.
The MOA will be reevaluated with DJJ on an annual basis. Substantive changes or adjustments, if needed, will be docketed for future consideration by the City Council.
ATTACHMENT: Memorandum of Agreement - Year 3 Renewal
STAFF:
Yon Lambert, Deputy City Manager
Desha Hall-Winstead, Alexandria Criminal Justice Services
Miguel Blancas, Alexandria Criminal Justice Services
Mike Mackey, Court Service Unit
Stephanie Marzelli, Alexandria Criminal Justice Services