City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: FEBRUARY 20, 2013
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: RASHAD M. YOUNG, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Grant Application to the Virginia Office of the Attorney General (OAG) to Enhance the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Program Within the Alexandria Police Department.
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of a grant application from the Alexandria Police Department (APD) to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) to enhance the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program within the Alexandria Police Department.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Approve the grant application (due March 1, 2013) to the OAG in the amount of $41,335, which will provide funds to the Police Department to enhance the Crisis Intervention Team; and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute all the necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) was created in 2009 to improve the way first responders respond to citizens in a mental health crisis. The CIT program represents a City-wide collaborative effort among the APD, Alexandria Sheriff's Office (ASO), Alexandria Fire and EMS (AFD), the Department of Emergency Communication (DEC) and the Alexandria Community Services Board (CSB). Each quarter, the CIT program provides a 40 hour specialized training session for police officers, sheriff's deputies, paramedics, and 911 dispatchers. Since 2009, over 200 first responders have graduated from the program. In past fiscal years, this program was primarily funded using grant funds from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). However, this grant funding has expired. Because of the program's critical importance to the mental health community, a cost-sharing agreement was developed between multiple City departments to continue the basic CIT program.
DISCUSSION: The Virginia Office of Attorney General recently announced the availability of a grant program providing one-time funds for the development or enhancement of CIT programs. The Alexandria Police Department plans to request $41,335 to enhance its existing program training program. Specifically, funds will be used for the following purposes:
· $20,651 for consultant fees to enhance training through the use of role playing.
· $15,170 to send five CIT instructors from multiple City departments to an advanced CIT training in Blacksburg, VA and to develop an advanced CIT curriculum within the City during FY 2014.
· $5,514 to send five CIT graduates from multiple City departments to conferences to learn new advances and techniques in the field.
FISCAL IMPACT: This one-time grant proposal is for $41,335 and no City match is required.
STAFF:
Earl Cook, Police Chief
Christopher Wemple III, Captain, Police, City Council Liaison
Courtney Ballantine, Sergeant, Police, CIT Coordinator
Elisabeth Weaver, Division Chief, Police, Fiscal Management