City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 18, 2024
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: MIKE MACKEY, DIRECTOR, 18th DISTRICT COURT SERVICE UNIT
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.
BODY
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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 juvenile offenders.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Approve the attached Memorandum of Agreement for DJJ to reimburse the City of Alexandria up to a maximum $130,455.92 in FY 2025, with gradually anticipated increases from FY 2025 and beyond 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: In July 2024, 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 juvenile offenders 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 fund a full-time, state-funded position that is currently providing substance use services previously funded by the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) and the City.
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 CSU Treatment Team and supervised by the Therapist Supervisor. 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:
1. Memorandum of Agreement - Year 2 Renewal
STAFF:
Yon Lambert, Deputy City Manager
Linda Odell, Court Service Unit
Stephanie Marzelli, Court Service Unit
Donna Morris, Court Service Unit