Explanation
BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Franklin County Municipal Court Administrative and Presiding Judge to enter into contract with Alvis Inc., a non-profit agency, and authorizes the expenditure of up to $78,802.59 from the Municipal Court indigent driver alcohol treatment fund for peer support of specialized docket participants.
Alvis will provide one (1) certified Peer Support individual to serve the needs of Probationers under the jurisdiction of the Franklin County Municipal Court. The Court will participate in the recruitment and final selection of Peer Support staff assigned to the Specialty Dockets. This staff member's primary headquarters is the Municipal Court offices. An appropriately licensed Clinical Supervisor will supervise the certified Peer Support.
The Alvis Peer Support staff member will provide case management, referrals to recovery supports, and presence during formal and informal court hearings/meetings. The Peer Support will also provide other services as needed to support the Probationer’s recovery and successful supervision period.
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 Mental Health and Addiction Services 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.
Emergency Legislation is requested so that the contract can start on October 14. Due to connectivity issues, we were unable to start the legislation sooner.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds are available within the 2024 IDAT fund for this purpose.
Title
To authorize and direct the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to enter into contract with Alvis for the provision of peer support staff; to authorize the expenditure of up to an amount not to exceed $78,802.59 from the IDAT fund; and to declare an emergency. ($78,802.59)
Body
WHEREAS, the Court has determined that it is in its best interest to enter into contract with Alvis; and
WHEREAS, $78,802.59 is needed to provide for services during the period through October 10, 2025; 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 the contract and authorize the expenditure for peer support staffing with Alvis so that the contract can start on October 14, 2024, for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and 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 contract with Alvis for peer support staffing for the specialized dockets for the period ending October 10, 2025.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $78,802.59 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.