Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This legislation authorizes and directs the Division of Neighborhood Services to enter into an agreement with Maryhaven to support the Safe Pathways program. There are about 1,200 arrests annually in Columbus of women charged with solicitation for prosecution according to the Division of Police. An estimated 75% are substance dependent. This evidence confirms the notion that addiction to drugs cause some women to turn to prostitution to support their drug habit. The impacts are far-reaching, extending beyond the criminal justice system and having direct implications for families, as well as taxing our social service system network , including public health care faculties and child support agencies. Safe Pathways provides critical intervention to help women take the first step to a productive, law-abiding lifestyle.
Maryhaven has relied on federal funding for this program for several years, but funding under the Byrne Memorial Grant program has been drastically reduced, forcing the agency to seek alternative funding. Because of the wide-ranging impacts noted above, including public safety concerns, Council deems it reasonable to allocate a portion of the $2 million Public Safety Fund it created with its 2005 budget amendments to continue this important program. The $50,000 granted here is intended to be one-time, stop-gap funding to cover the July to December period.
City funding allow the program to treat 28 offenders with a highly structured six-month program, including a job readiness component. Follow up demonstrates that 80% of program participants have not re-offended tor had their probation status revoked during the project period.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE #: 31-0732345 (non-profit)
Emergency action is requested to expedite this crime prevention program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
City Council set aside $2 million in its 2005 amendments for Public Safety initiatives. This ordinances taps $50,000 of that amount. ...
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