City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: OCTOBER 16, 2024
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: BRYAN L. PORTER, COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY
DOCKET TITLE:
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Consideration of a Grant Application to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration on behalf of the Alexandria Recovery Court
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ISSUE: Consideration of a Grant Application to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (“SAMHSA”) on behalf of the Alexandria Recovery Court (“ARC”).
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Approve a grant application up to $126,225 for training, program supplies, client funds (transportation, medical services, housing, etc.), and drug testing at the Alexandria Recovery Court; and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: The ARC launched a pilot program in the fall of 2019 utilizing existing department resources. The program expanded with the use of a three-year federal grant which expires in October. In FY 2025, City Council approved one-time funding in the current budget cycle to ensure that the ARC could continue to operate, while identifying long term sources of funding. The ARC Advisory Committee has been aggressively pursuing grant dollars to minimize reliance on City general funds. This grant application to SAMHSA would cover some of the ARC’s non-personnel expenses.
DISCUSSION: The ARC is actively seeking to identify grants that could reduce the costs to the City for this program and help ensure its long-term viability. In a related budget memo, the ARC requested Council’s approval to accept a $75,000 grant to help defray personnel costs.
The application for grant funding through SAMHSA would cover ancillary expenses associated with the ARC including:
• Training costs for members of the ARC treatment team
• Client Services associated with medical costs, transportation, and housing for participants not otherwise covered by insurance.
• Program Supplies (such as booklets, informational material for participants, etc.).
• Drug testing (because of the intensive monitoring and supervision needs of ARC participants, drug testing beyond that which can be offered by Probation are needed to comply with national best practices.
If the Council does not approve the grant application, we will decline the award/withdraw the application.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no match requirement and therefore no negative fiscal impact. If approved, the funding will help offset current fiscal year non personnel costs.
ATTACHMENT(S): None
STAFF:
Yon Lambert, Deputy City Manager
David Lord, Deputy Commonwealth Attorney
Ashley Milanes, Director of Special Programs, Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney