Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to enter into contract with Alvis, Inc. for assessment specialist services. The Court was awarded a grant which provided incentive dollars based on Probation’s ability to meet certain pre determined goals. The Court was awarded $100,000 from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections in incentive which is to be used for expanding and supplementing community correction programs. The current balance of $65,344 in this grant will be used for this contract. The court was also awarded the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant from the Ohio Department of Public Safety for assessment specialist services in the amount of $33,262.80. All of these funds will be used for this contract. The balance of the contract will be funded by the probation services fund.
In 2015, the Department of Probation Services (DOPS) committed to becoming an evidence-based organization, and to employing the Risk, Needs, Responsivity (RNR) Principle through a differential, risk-based supervision structure. Two major hurdles were identified in the planning phase: how to manage the high volume of new cases that the DOPS receives (approx. 500/month) while keeping caseloads manageable; and how to allow placement, duration and programming decisions to be guided by the assessment without access to the information prior to sentencing. In a significant demonstration of commitment to this project, the judges agreed that they would allow these decisions to be made post-sentence, by the DOPS.
Defendants sentenced to a period of probation report to the DOPS for intake and screening by the DOPS Support Unit. If screened as moderate or high risk, or eligible for one of the specialized caseloads, defendants are assigned to the corresponding unit where she/he will receive a full assessment(s). Defendants may be transferred to another supervision level if the screening and assessment risk levels differ. It is not uncommon for cases to be transferred between officers as part of this post-screening and assessment process. Due to significant caseload sizes it takes officers several weeks to complete the assessment process. This delay can have a negative impact on the success of the defendant and increase their risk of re-offending if their criminogenic needs are not identified early in their supervision.
The FCMC DOPS will partner with Alvis for contracted assessment services, specifically the ORAS CST and MAT and the IDA, for defendants who screen as moderate or high-risk or who are eligible for the department’s special programs (excluding domestic violence). Each month approximately 190 defendants require a full assessment based on the results of the screening or because of their special profile (soliciting, mental health, opiate-related case). We plan for project staff to complete 120 assessments per month. These assessments will take place either prior to sentencing at the request of the Court, during the intake process at the FCMC DOPS, or shortly after intake. Reducing the number of assessments that need to be completed by the FCMC DOPS’ moderate and high-risk officers will allow them to schedule the remaining assessments in a timelier manner, and will allow them to engage in case planning and interventions much earlier in the supervision process. This project will more swiftly and accurately inform the initial placement and reduce the need to transfer defendants between officers. Contracting for assessment services will also allow the Probation Department time to gather data to better understand and prioritize staffing needs as they further develop the EBP paradigm.
EMERGENCY ACTION is requested in order to prevent a break in service.
FISCAL IMPACT: The funds are available in the general government grant fund and probation services fund.
Title
To authorize the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to enter into contract with Alvis, Inc for assessment specialist services and to authorize the expenditure of up to $100,000.00 for assessment services from the general government grant and probation services funds; and to declare an emergency. ($100,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is in the city's best interest that the Franklin County Municipal Court receive support for an enhanced probationary service for offenders; and
WHEREAS, funds in an amount up to and not to exceed $100,000 is budgeted within the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges grant and probation services funds for this contractual agreement; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges in that it is immediately necessary to authorize a contract and associated expenditures with the Alvis, Inc. in order to assure the start of the assessments thereby preserving the public peace, property, health, safety, and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Administrating and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Alvis, Inc. for assessment specialist services through the period ending February 28, 2021.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $100,000, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized from the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges' general government grant and probation services funds, according to the account codes in the attached.
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.