City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: SEPTEMBER 2, 2026
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: KATHLEEN USTON, CHIEF JUDGE ALEXANDRIA CIRCUIT COURT
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Retroactive Grant Application to the Supreme Court of Virginia, Office of the Executive Secretary VA Specialty Dockets Grant.
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of a Grant Application to the Supreme Court of Virginia Office of the Executive Secretary Specialty Dockets Grant.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Retroactively approve the submission of the grant application for up to $75,000;
(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute all the necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: The Supreme Court of Virginia, Office of the Executive Secretary, Judicial Services Department has offered a grant opportunity through the Virgina Specialty Dockets Grant. The purpose of this grant is to assist the local specialty dockets with operation and sustainability, increase capacity and promote graduation success rate of local Recovery Courts. This is an ongoing, competitive grant opportunity for supplemental funding for the Alexandria Recovery Court (ARC).
DISCUSSION: The ARC seeks to divert from incarceration and conviction, nonviolent offenders who are arrested for felonies in the City of Alexandria and commit to engaging with substance abuse treatment. The ARC is a partnership that includes the Alexandira Police Department, the Commonwealth’s Attorney, the Public Defender, the Office of Probation and Parole, the Department of Community and Human Services, and the Circuit Court for the City of Alexandria.
The City provides ongoing funding for the program, which is also supplemented by grant funding for expenses including the salary and benefits associated with the program coordinator, supplemental drug testing, housing assistance for participants in sober living environments, training, and equipment. If awarded, the state would provide $75,000 in FY 2027 to supplement City funding for the fund Alexandria Recovery Court coordinator’s personnel expenses, including fringe benefits.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no required match from the City and, therefore, no additional fiscal impact from this grant.
ATTACHMENTS: None
STAFF:
Yon Lambert, Deputy City Manager
Aishah Dukes, Recovery Court Coordinator