Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to enter into a non-profit service contract with Think Make Live Youth for a case worker dedicated to the Unleashing Potential (“UP”) court program.
The UP program 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. 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.
The Court was awarded funding from the Mayor’s Violence Reduction Initiative to pay for these cost (Ord. 2064-2021).
The funding provides $73,100.00 for a case worker to provide support to the program participants and develop a plan to assist with navigating public assistance programs, identification and transportation needs, treatment providers, housing specialists, career and education counselors and community mentors. These services cannot be provided by current employees of the Court at this time.
Think Make Live Youth is a Non-Profit organization. Fed ID# 82-3499615.
EMERGENCY ACTION is requested in order to start both programs as soon as possible.
FISCAL IMPACT: The amount of $73,100.00 is budgeted and available for this purpose within the Franklin County Municipal Court's 2021 general fund appropriations.
Title
To authorize and direct the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to enter into a non-profit service contract with Think Make Live Youth for a case worker dedicated to the Unleashing Potential program and to authorize the expenditure of up to $73,100.00 for services from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($73,100.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Administrative and Presiding Judge to enter into non-profit service contract with Think Make Live Youth to secure a caseworker for the Unleashing Potential court program; and
WHEREAS, funds in an amount up to an amount not to exceed $73,100 is budgeted within the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges General Fund 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 the Administrative and Presiding Judge to enter into a non-profit service contract and associated expenditures with Think Make Live Youth to provide a case worker to provide support to program participants, 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 a non-profit service contract with Think Make Live Youth for a case worker dedicated to the Unleashing Potential court program.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $73,100.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is authorized from the Franklin County Municipal Court.
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 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.