Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the City of Columbus, Office of the Columbus City Attorney, to accept and appropriate U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women’s Improving Criminal Justice Reponses (ICJR) program funds via a sub-award contract adjustment from Franklin County Board of Commissioners’ Office of Justice Policy and Programs.
ICJR funding supports the implementation of the evidence-based Blueprint for Safety Inter-agency Domestic Violence Response model in Columbus and Franklin County. Blueprint for Safety applies a collective impact approach to domestic violence (DV) crimes. It build off local successes by linking best practice communication protocols, risk assessments and evidence collection tactics occurring at each criminal justice phase. Through the Blueprint for Safety systems audit process, justice and victim advocacy professionals collaboratively reviewed and updated 911, police, prosecution, advocacy and community control DV response protocols/practices to close system gaps, promote trauma informed response and develop standard methods for communication and information sharing. Response modifications resulting from the safety audit enhance the capacity of the local justice system to tackle large strategic issues AND to better manage individual high-risk cases. The Franklin County Blueprint team meets monthly and members communicate weekly (if not daily). This inner-disciplinary team is finalizing its coordinated DV response policy that includes clear protocols outlining each practitioner’s role and responsibility in effective DV response. The policy will guide the system to respond as a coordinated unit rather than as individual, siloed entities. Successful implementation of the Blueprint policy is supported through ongoing training, data sharing and active communication between and across practitioners.
The initial ICJR sub award contract was granted to the Columbus City Attorney’s Office in January of 2021. ICJR funds covered a portion of personnel costs for a Project Director for the Blueprint for Safety initiative through September 30, 2023. In March of 2023, OVW approved a grant contract extension to Franklin County to continue grant work through September 30, 2024. The County then approved an adjustment to the City Attorney’s sub-award contract increasing the award amount by $81,304.00 (to $275,052) and extending the award period through July 30, 2024.
This ordinance authorizes the appropriation of an additional $81,304.00 to grant project fund # G242102 (Ord 1179-2021). Grant funds will cover a portion of personnel expenses for the Blueprint for Safety Project Director to continue guiding this important systems work through July of 2024.
EMERGENCY ACTION: No emergency action.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes the appropriation of $81,304.00 in U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women’s Improving Criminal Justice Reponses (ICJR) program funds to grant project fund # G242102 (Ord 1179-2021). No cash match is required.
Award Period: January 1, 2021 - July 30, 2024
Federal award: 20-ICJRP-BP, $193,748.00 (original sub award) + $81,304.00 (sub award adjustment) = $275,502.00 (total adjusted award)
Title
To authorize the Columbus City Attorney to accept $81,304.00 in U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women’s Improving Criminal Justice Reponses (ICJR) via a sub award adjustment from Franklin County Board of Commissioners’ Office of Justice Policy and Programs; to use grant funding to support a portion of personnel cost for the ICJR Blueprint for Safety Project Director; and to authorize appropriation of $81,304.00. ($81,304.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners' Office of Justice Policy and Programs has approved a sub award adjustment for the Columbus City Attorney's Office ICJR contract in the amount of $81,304 to support a portion of personnel cost for the ICJR Blueprint for Safety Project Director; and
WHEREAS, the sub award adjustment extended the project period from January 1, 2021 - July 30, 2024; and
WHEREAS, the City Attorney desires to accept said grant award adjustment; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS, OHIO
SECTION 1. That the City Attorney is hereby authorized and directed to accept $81,304 in U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women’s Improving Criminal Justice Reponses (ICJR) via a sub award adjustment from Franklin County Board of Commissioners’ Office of Justice Policy and Programs.
SECTION 2. That the additional sub award funds will improve domestic violence response by supporting a portion of personnel expenses for the ICJR Blueprint for Safety Project Director.
SECTION 3. That from the unappropriated monies in the General Government Grants Fund number 2220, and from all monies estimated to come into said Fund from any and all sources during the grant period, the sum of $81,304 is hereby appropriated to the Columbus City Attorney, Department 24 according to the attached accounting document.
SECTION 4. That funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. That funds appropriated shall be paid upon order of the City Attorney and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 6. That at the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 7. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.