Explanation
This ordinance will provide funding for a probation officer for Municipal Court’s CATCH court. Since its inception in 2009, CATCH (Changing Actions To Change Habits) became the first Human Trafficking Court in Ohio and is certified by the Supreme Court of Ohio. Columbus leads the way in Ohio as Human Trafficking courts are now replicated in Dayton, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and various juvenile courts.
An independent university study confirmed that 72% of all participants in this innovative program have not recidivated. Not only is this ground-breaking program saving lives, but it is saving thousands of dollars every year in police and jail costs. This restorative justice approach, builds in accountability while at the same time provides the needed services to help individuals exit this vicious and often deadly life. Being reunited with family, going to school, getting a job, and giving back to the community is the norm for this motivated community.
Due to the unique needs of human trafficking victims, it is imperative that a probation officer in this position have a strong understanding of the impact of trauma or be willing to become skilled in trauma-informed supervision approaches. It is also important that this probation officer possess the ability to assess a defendant’s recovery needs, identify potential victims of Human Trafficking and modify supervision approaches as necessary. Although this probation officer must hold CATCH participants accountable, the officer must utilize evidence-based best practices and adapt practices to respond to this unique group of victims. The probation officer assigned to CATCH will be afforded, and is expected to attend, training as it relates to their understanding of human trafficking victims and therapeutic jurisprudence.
Council deems this an appropriate use of Public Safety Initiative Funds made available through the 2015 Budget process.
Title
To authorize the appropriation of $50,000.00 from the Public Safety Initiative Fund; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer said funds from the Public Safety Initiative Fund to the Municipal Court's Specialty Docket Program Fund. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, The Franklin County Municipal Court operates the Specialty Docket which consists of three programs (CATCH, ADAP and Military and Veteran) to help ensure that an adequate treatment response is accessible to defendants exhibiting histories of alcohol and /or chemical dependence, and;
WHEREAS, $50,000 from the Public Safety Initiatives Fund to be transferred to the Municipal Court Judges in order to continue to support the Specialty Court Docket Program; and
WHEREAS, Council deems this an appropriate use of Public Safety Initiatives Funds made available through the 2015 Budget process; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Franklin County Municipal Court to appropriate said funds; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That from the unappropriated balance of the Public Safety Initiates Fund No. 016 and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purchase during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015, the sum of $50,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary is hereby appropriated to the Department of Public Safety, department No. 30, Object level One 10, Object level three 5502, OCA 300116.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer $50,000:
From: Public Safety Initiative Fund, Dept No. 30-01, Fund 016, Object level one 10, object level three 5502, oca 300116.
To: Municipal Court Specialty Docket Program, Dept No. 25-01, Fund 226, Subfund 004, Object level one 3, object level 3 0886, oca 226004
SECTION 3. All monies necessary to carry out the purpose of this Ordinance are hereby appropriated.
SECTION 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes necessary to ensure that these transactions are properly accounted for and recorded accurately on the city's financial records
SECTION 5. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.