Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the appropriation and transfer of funds within the Reimaging Safety subfund to the Workforce Development of Central Ohio for the workforce development portion of 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 Workforce Development of Central Ohio’s AMP (Achieve More & Prosper) program, 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.
Title
To authorize the appropriation within the Reimagine Safety subfund for the purpose of supporting the workforce development portion of the Unleashing Potential (UP); to authorize a transfer between the Reimagine Safety subfund and the general fund; to authorize an appropriation within the general fund; to authorize the Administrative and Presiding Judge to enter into contract with the Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio; and to declare an emergency. ($250,000.00)
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 Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $250,000.00 within the Reimagine Safety subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100019, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to transfer $250,000.00 from the Reimagine Safety subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100019, to the general fund, fund 1000, subfund 100010, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $250,000.00 to the Municipal Court within the general fund, fund 1000, subfund 100010, in 03-Services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the Administrative and Presiding Judge is hereby authorized to enter contract with Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio in support of the UP program.
SECTION 5. That per the action authorized in Section 4 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $250,000.00 is hereby authorized per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That this contract is entered into pursuant to the non-profit contracting provisions of Chapter 329 of Columbus City Codes.
SECTION 7. 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 8. 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 9. 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.