Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a Not-for-Profit Services Contract with The Ohio State University, through the College of Social Work, (OSU-CoSW) for the MBSR program and to pay for expenses from PO293529 ($27,968.00).
Ordinance 1435-2021, passed by City Council on June 14, 2021, authorized the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with OSU-CoSW for the MBSR program in amount up to $27,968.00. The agreement was executed with an agreement end date of December 31, 2022 (PO293529). Because of issues related to COVID, the program was not implemented as planned. The OSU-CoSW would like implement the program in 2023 and the Department of Development requests using the existing purchase order to pay for the program.
The Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program is geared towards justice-involved Black girls and their parents and caregivers. In light of the tragic death of Ma'Khia Bryant in 2021, there is a need to provide specific, targeted support for criminal justice system-involved and at-risk Black girls. These girls are experiencing more stress due to the coronavirus and its effect on their mothers (parents/caregivers), with 57% noting that their mental health was worse due to the virus and its affects. In partnership with the Columbus City Council (CCC) and Franklin County Juvenile Court (FCJC), FCJC staff will refer interested parent/caregiver-dyads to the OSU program. This intervention will help reduce stress among all participants and promote restoration and healing that will reduce the potential for law-breaking behavior.
The targeted constituents include court-involved Black girls aged 14-17 who are also disproportionality affected by PTSD, with 70% of girls with histories of sexual or physical abuse as well as their parents/caregivers. The parent/caregiver-child dyads will undergo a stress reduction intervention, i.e., Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR). MBSR may improve PTSD symptomatology, which is linked to delinquency and other risky behaviors. MBSR may help modulate the dysregulated stress response in the body to improve physical and mental health concurrently.
The project will be led by Dr. Camille R. Quinn, a licensed, independent social worker in Ohio and Assistant Professor at the OSU College of Social Work. Her work draws on over 20 years of prior experience in social and health services as a practitioner and administrator. She is a funded researcher and has substantive expertise to develop and tailor interventions to improve the well-being of Black youth and their families, especially girls and young women in the community and correctional settings, which are all needed to carry out this project.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding in the amount of $27,968.00 is available on PO293529
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: the vendor number is 035414 and expires 1/26/2024
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a Not-for-Profit Services Contract with The Ohio State University, through the College of Social Work, (OSU-CoSW) for the MBSR program and to pay for expenses in an amount up to $27,968.00. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, in light of the tragic death of Ma'Khia Bryant in 2021, the City and The Ohio State College of Social Work saw an a need to provide specific targeted support for criminal justice system involved and at-risk girls through the Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Development and OSU-CoSW executed an agreement for the program in 2021 with an end date of December 31, 2023; and
WHEREAS, due to COVID, the program was not implemented during the term of the agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Development and OSU-CoSW desire to implement the program in 2023 and to pay for expenses from the purchase order created for the original agreement; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development to authorize the Director to enter into a not-for-profit services contract with The Ohio State University for the MBSR program;
NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into a Not-for-Profit Services Contract with The Ohio State University, through the College of Social Work, OSU-CoSW for the MBSR program and to pay for expenses from PO293529 in an amount up to $27,968.00.
SECTION 2: That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.