Explanation
BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Franklin County Municipal Court Administrative and Presiding Judge to enter into a not for profit service contract with Alvis Inc., a not for profit agency, and authorizes the expenditure of up to $320,382.73 for peer support of specialized docket participants.
Alvis will provide certified Peer Support Specialists to serve probationers under the jurisdiction of the Franklin County Municipal Court, Specialized Dockets. Partnering with an external agency to provide Peer Support Specialists is both intentional and essential. Peer Supporters must remain independent from the Judge and court staff to uphold best practices, reduce liability for the Court, and protect the integrity of the relationship they build with participants. Peer Support is a distinct profession governed by the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health that requires specialized training, certification, and lived experience. An appropriately licensed Clinical Supervisor will supervise the Peer Support Specialists.
Approximately 80% of Peer Support work happens outside the courthouse. A few examples: they transport individuals directly from jail to treatment, meet participants in community settings, and attend recovery meetings such as AA and NA alongside them. They often accompany participants to court hearings on other matters (domestic relations, or cases in other counties) as a supportive member. These activities are not only inappropriate for court staff to perform, but would also be unethical and contradictory to the roles of probation and docket personnel.
It is well established in the realm of modern mental health services that certified peer supporters who walk alongside individuals struggling with mental illness and/or addiction have a unique perspective and gift of shared experiences to offer them and support their path to recovery. According to AllRise, the national authority on best practices in treatment courts, “Research has associated peer recovery support services with reductions in the recurrence of substance use, improved treatment engagement and retention, higher participant satisfaction, and reductions in emergency service utilization and hospitalizations.”
The Franklin County Municipal Court has integrated Peer Support Specialists into its Specialized Dockets for several years with impactful results. Peer Support Specialists connect with participants immediately upon acceptance into the Specialized Docket and engage with them throughout their time with the program and even beyond graduation. The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health has established a certification process for peer support specialists, formalizing the role as a paid profession. This program allows those with an established period of recovery and a drive to help others to further their professional development.
Alvis Inc. Federal Tax ID is 31-0743167. Contract Compliance expires 12/10/26.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION is requested so that the contract can start on September 1, 2026; there will be no break in services.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds are available within the indigent drivers alcohol treatment (IDAT) fund for this purpose.
Title
To authorize the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to enter into a not for profit service contract with Alvis for the provision of peer support staff; to authorize the expenditure of up to an amount not to exceed $320,382.73 from the IDAT fund; and to declare an emergency. ($320,382.73)
Body
WHEREAS, the Court has determined that it is in its best interest to enter into a not for profit service contract t with Alvis; and
WHEREAS, $320,382.73 is needed to provide for services during the period through August 31, 2027; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the court, in that it is immediately necessary for the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges to authorize a not for profit service contract and authorize the expenditure for peer support staffing with Alvis thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; Now, Therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court be and is hereby authorized to enter into a not for profit service contract with Alvis for peer support staffing for the specialized dockets for the period ending August 31, 2027.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $320,382.73 or as much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized from the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges.
SECTION 3. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.