City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: SEPTEMBER 4, 2019
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of Approval for the Department of Community and Human Services to Utilize a Grant from the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) to Support the Delivery of Substance Use Treatment Services.
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ISSUE: Consideration of approval for the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS)/Community Services Board (CSB) to accept funds from the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) to increase staffing by 1.0 FTE and continue treatment services aimed at addressing substance use disorders in Alexandria.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Approve DCHS’/CSB’s receipt of $240,000 in one-year funding to increase staffing at the Alexandria Detention Center (ADC) and continue substance use treatment services at DCHS;
2. Approve the addition of a position (1.0 FTE) fully supported by grant revenues; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: For more than twenty years HIDTA funding has supported the DCHS/CSB and Alexandria Probation and Parole partnership to provide intensive supervision and treatment services for individuals with significant substance use and criminal behavior. This partnership has been effective in engaging individuals into treatment and reducing recidivism among the individuals served.
HIDTA funding has historically been awarded to DCHS/CSB through a non-competitive contracting process. This year HIDTA instituted a competitive grant award process for continued funding. DCHS submitted a grant proposal requesting the continuation of previous funding received, and funding for one additional clinical position to provide substance use treatment service at the ADC and to help connect inmates to services in the community upon their release. This additional position will allow DCHS/CSB to provide more substance use treatment groups and individual treatment services to clients who are housed in General Population units at the ADC and also ensure that strong linkages are made at release to help clients succeed when they re-enter our community.
DISCUSSION: DCHS has received an average of $127,000 annually from HIDTA for the past five years. This funding has supported substance use treatment services including screening and assessment, case management, individual and group counseling, and medical and nursing interventions.
Due to the change in the HIDTA funding methodology, there was short turn-around time to submit a competitive grant request to HIDTA, and as such did not allow staff to present this opportunity to City Council for consideration before the submission due date. DCHS/CSB staff did notify the City Manager’s Office of HIDTA’s new competitive funding process and grant submission requirements.
FISCAL IMPACT: DCHS has been awarded HIDTA funding for one-year in the amount of $240,000 to support the continuation of substance use disorder treatment services and the creation of a new 1.0 FTE Senior Therapist position for the ADC. No local match is required. Going forward, funding for additional years will need to be requested through a similar competitive grant process. Should funding not continue, DCHS will evaluate other funding alternatives to either continue these services and position or discontinue them if alternative funding cannot be secured. The staff hired for the Senior Therapist position will be informed of the nature of the funding for the position in advance.
ATTACHMENTS: None.
STAFF:
Debra Collins, Deputy City Manager
Kate Garvey, Director, Department of Community & Human Services (DCHS)
Carol Layer, Director, Center for Adult Services, DCHS
Liz Wixson, Director of Clinical and Emergency Services, DCHS
.