City of Alexandria, Virginia
________________
MEMORANDUM
DATE: FEBRUARY 6, 2024
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: MIKE MACKEY, DIRECTOR, COURT SERVICES UNIT
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Funding Agreement with the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice for the Provision of a Behavioral Health Staff Position.
BODY
_________________________________________________________________
ISSUE: Consideration of a funding agreement with the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) for a state-funded position to provide behavioral health services to juvenile offenders.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Retroactively approve the attached Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for DJJ to reimburse the City of Alexandria up to a maximum of $136,589.66 annually; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: The DJJ invited the City of Alexandria to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement that would enable DJJ to reimburse the City for a behavioral health professional to provide services to juvenile offenders referred by DJJ's 18th District Court Service Unit (CSU). DJJ utilizes mental health initiative funding to support local positions co-mingled at CSUs across the Commonwealth. These positions are created via partnership between DJJ and localities.
DISCUSSION: The overarching purpose of this partnership with DJJ is to create a full-time, state-funded position that can continue substance use intervention efforts presently funded by the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) and the City.
These services would include comprehensive evaluations, individual therapy and relapse prevention treatment, group therapy, parent education workshops, and programming for the Court. These services are needed based on the increasing numbers of youth coming to the Court's attention with substance use concerns. Early 2023 research indicated tha...
Click here for full text