Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes a transfer of funds within the general fund for the Unleashing Potential (UP) court program in Franklin County Municipal Court Judge D’Varga’s courtroom. The UP program will provide transformative justice for potential emerging adults who have come into contact with our justice system and are at risk for continued criminal behavior due to lack of resources and a support system.
Emerging adults, defined as individuals transitioning from childhood to adulthood between the ages of 18 and 25, are in an age category where cognitive skills and emotional intelligence continues to develop. While emerging adults make up ten percent of the U.S. population, in Ohio, emerging adults represented 18% of total arrests in 2016. Nationwide, emerging adults represent 29% of arrests.
Individuals in this age bracket can naturally age out of criminal activities as their cognitive skills develop when they are provided the support and opportunities necessary to become independent, productive members of their communities.
UP is intended for justice-involved individuals’ age 18-25 years, with a moderate-high risk of recidivism and high level of criminogenic needs. Eligibility will be based on the nature and type of charges filed, as well as that defendant’s prior criminal history. Charges generally must be non-violent in nature, but cases will be considered on a case by case basis. The program would provide health and behavioral health services/trauma informed care, parenting services/support, successful navigation of public assistance programs, drivers licensing and transportation assistance, education and workforce development utilizing AMP (Achieve More & Prosper), safe stable, affordable housing, and family/community support.
Participation in the program is usually one year or longer, depending on the individual’s needs and progress. To successfully graduate the participants must demonstrate adherence to their action plans. Upon graduation, the case will be resolved pursuant to the negotiated agreement (either reduction of the charge or dismissal of the charge) between the prosecuting attorney, defense attorney and the court.
The goals of UP court program are to ensure public safety and reduce recidivism, increase the assets of young adults to help them transform their lives, provide justice involved young adults with a meaningful path to reducing/eliminating their criminal record, and to increase collaboration between the court, counsel, city agencies, community based programs, and other health treatment services.
Fiscal Impact: This legislation authorizes a transfer of funds within the general fund from the Department of Finance and Management to the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges, for the purpose of supporting the Unleashing Potential (UP) program which will provide transformative justice for at potential emerging adults who have come into contact with our justice system and are at risk for continued criminal behavior. Funding in the amount of $200,000.00 is budgeted and available within the 2021 General Fund Budget.
Emergency action is requested so that financial support can be provided immediately and the UP program can commence without delay.
Title
To authorize a transfer of funds within the general fund from the Department of Finance and Management to the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges for the purpose of supporting the Unleashing Potential (UP) program which will provide transformative justice for at potential emerging adults who have come into contact with our justice system and are at risk for continued criminal behavior; to authorize an expenditure of $200,000.00; and to declare an emergency. ($200,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, emerging adults make up ten percent of the U.S. population, in Ohio, emerging adults represented 18% of total arrests in 2016. Nationwide, emerging adults represent 29% of arrests; and
WHEREAS, individuals in this age bracket can naturally age out of criminal activities as their cognitive skills develop when they are provided the support and opportunities necessary to become independent, productive members of their communities; and
WHEREAS, the Unleashing Potential program (UP) will provide transformative justice for at potential emerging adults who have come into contact with our justice system and are at risk for continued criminal behavior due to lack of resources and a support system; and
WHEREAS, a transfer of funds is necessary to provide financial support to the UP program; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City of Columbus in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the transfer of funds within the general fund so that financial support can be provided immediately and the Unleashing Potential program can commence without delay, for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the transfer of $200,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within the general fund (Fund 1000), Dept-Div 4501, Object Class 10 - Transfers Out, to the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges Dept-Div 2501, per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
See Attached File: Ord 2064-2021 Legislation Template.xls
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of up to $200,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed pursuant to the action authorized in SECTION 1, is hereby authorized in the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges, Dept-Div 2501, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
See Attached File: Ord 2064-2021 Legislation Template.xls
SECTION 3. That funds are hereby deemed appropriated, and expenditures and transfers authorized, to carry out the purposes of this ordinance, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. That the monies appropriated in the foregoing Sections shall be paid upon the order of the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges, and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all expenditures and transfers associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, 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.