Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Public Safety to enter into an agreement with the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch to accept a Grant Award for the establishment of a program by the Columbus Division of Police to reduce the social distance between Central Ohio Teens and Law Enforcement through structured and established methods.
Funds from the grant will be used for the Teens and Police Service Partners (TAPS) Academy in Columbus. The TAPS Program was initially established in 2013 with funds from the FY12 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Grant, through the Franklin County Commissioners. This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of the funding of the program for at-risk juveniles at four middle and high schools between ages 13 to 17 years old who have shown a propensity toward making bad decisions. These youths will receive intensive mentoring by Police Officers trained in the TAPS Academy curriculum developed by the Houston Police Department. The Academy will provide a structured environment that is geared to mentor through an academic and humanitarian approach, with strong emphasis on interaction and conversation. The academic approach will stress an established curriculum designed to address topics such as Anger Management, Bullying, Avoiding Gang Life, Avoiding Narcotics, Conflict Management/Resolution, Team Building, Truancy, How to Respond to an Active Shooter, Safe Driving, Combating Alcohol and Drug abuse, etc. The grant period is from July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019. This legislation is needed to authorize the acceptance of the grant award, and to appropriate the grant funds.
Emergency Action is requested in order to receive the funds and initiate the program as soon as possible because the school year has already begun for Columbus City Schools.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes the acceptance and appropriation of $15...
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