City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: MARCH 21, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: MIKE MACKEY, DIRECTOR, COURT SERVICE UNIT
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services One-Time $64,300 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Grant to Develop Alexandria’s Mentor University: A Free College for Caring Adults.
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of approval to accept grant funding to the Court Service Unit (CSU), in partnership with the Alexandria Mentoring Partnership and other community partners, to build Mentor University: A Free College for Caring Adults designed to help adults better support Alexandria’s youth in building developmental assets and pro-social skills. This project is designed to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in the juvenile justice system and prevent juvenile crime.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Approve acceptance of $64,300 in grant funding from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services; and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: The City of Alexandria has been awarded a $64,300 One-Time Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Grant from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. The grant does not require a cash match.
DISCUSSION: The Department of Criminal Justice Services notified the Alexandria CSU that the City has been selected for a $64,300 grant to support start-up costs for Mentor University: A Free College for Caring Adults (to include volunteer mentors, parents, and school support and
recreation staff). The span of the grant is April 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023 and will fund the following:
o $20,000 for curriculum development, ensuring a variety of courses are relevant and appropriate for caring adult students of various ages, backgrounds, language proficiencies, and educational levels.
o $34,000 to purchase a 3-year learning management system license to host the Mentor University website, a centralized location for students to browse and sign up for in-person and virtual courses, track course credits, host on-line courses, etc.
o $7,500 to fund the required cash match to receive support a one-year, full-time, AmeriCorps VISTA position. The VISTA, hired by MENTOR Virginia, will recruit parents, volunteer mentors and other caring adults, build capacity and support sustainable practices. The VISTA, under the leadership of the Alexandria Mentoring Partnership coordinator, will enhance systems and process in alignment with best practices, develop and design program curriculum, handbooks, and promotional materials, and support day-to-day activities and operations of Mentor University.
o $2,800 to purchase IT equipment for use by VISTA and Mentor University.
FISCAL IMPACT: If approved, this grant will not require any new funds from the City during the next three years. With successful implementation of Alexandria’s Mentor University, new financial resources will be needed, beginning in FY 2027, to support learning management system licensing and curricula enhancement and expansion.
ATTACHMENTS: None.
STAFF:
Jean Kelleher, Interim Deputy City Manager
Joanna Anderson, City Attorney
Morgan Routt, Office of Management and Budget
Linda Odell, Court Service Unit
Vyvyonne Dilbert, Court Service Unit