THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTIONS.
These actions support the Commission Value: "Approaching human services collaboratively and compassionately with special emphasis on the most vulnerable,” and the Commission Goal: "Effectively advocate for and acquire municipal, state and federal financial support to equitably address the health and human services needs of the entire community through a truly coordinated system of care." FDLE funding allows the County to address the behavioral health and employability needs of vulnerable youth.
The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance provides funding to prevent or reduce crime and violence under the JAGC program. FDLE is responsible for the distribution of the state-allocated JAGC program funds through a designated, formula-based, non-competitive application process. FDLE awards the funding only to a unit of government which may disburse the funds to community providers for eligible services.
On April 2, 2019, FDLE provided notice to the County of its annual JAGC program funding allocation. The County must accept the allocation by signing and submitting the Certificate of Participation (COP) to FDLE. The COP will allow the County to apply for FDLE funding for eligible services. Historically, the COP becomes available during the Commission’s summer recess period with very limited notice. The requested motions streamline the County’s process by formalizing and authorizing the current Mayor to sign the COP annually so staff may complete the grant applications for the funds and the County Administrator to submit the applications and execute the grant agreements in a timely manner to meet FDLE deadlines.
In accordance with the FDLE guidelines, the majority of the funding must be allocated for services with limited funds retained by the County for administrative oversight. The County must submit separate grant applications for program services and program oversight. The grant applications will be requesting continuation funding for workforce development, employability skills training and job coaching services provided by Helping Abused Neglected Disadvantaged Youth, Inc. ("HANDY") to high-risk, criminal justice involved youth with behavioral health problems. On October 9, 2018 (Item No. 11) the Commission approved the selection of HANDY for inclusion with the County's Byrne JAG application to FDLE for the 2017-2018 County Fiscal Year. The agency was selected as a result of a fair open and competitive Request For Proposal process that was issued by Broward County Human Services Department. |