Requested Agenda Date:
2/4/2025
Requested Agenda Title:
Budget Adjustment: Criminal Justice Services Requests 3.0 Time-limited FTEs for a Case Manager and 2 Peer Support Specialists. These Positions and Operational Expenses Will Be Covered by a Federal Grant Awarded to Fund the Salt Lake County Enhancing Access for Reentry Success Pilot Project (EARS). The total awarded funding is for $825,000 over a three-year period starting 10/1/2024 through 9/30/2027
Requested Agenda Item Description: This request is a budget neutral request to recognize a federal grant awarded to fund the Salt Lake County Enhancing Access for Reentry Success Pilot Project (EARS). The total awarded funding is for $825,000 over a three-year period starting 10/1/2024 through 9/30/2027. This grant funds two time-limited peer mentor positions and one time- limited case manager. The grant also funds operational expenses for the program.
The EARS project addresses systemic gaps which directly affect the successful outcomes the County seeks for individuals who are involved with the criminal justice system, experiencing mental illness or substance abuse disorders, and experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
Salt Lake County has mapped system gaps, identified barriers, and analyzed the costs of additional investments. In alignment with the State of Utah's Homelessness Strategic Plan and the Coordinated Homeless Services Plan, this proposal and other complementary efforts will achieve the collective goals to 1) bolster system access, 2) increase collaboration and efficiency, 3) require criminal accountability, and 4) decriminalize homelessness.
EARS will focus on individuals involved with the criminal justice system with the highest need for services and highest of re-offense to build successful outcomes by improving coordination between reentry and crisis systems. EARS will support individuals during incarceration to address critical service gaps in the current system. Service gaps leave individuals unsupported resulting in likely reengagement with law enforcement.
Requested Action: Discussion - Vote Needed
Presenter(s) (with titles): Hoa Nguyen, Council Budget and Policy Analyst
Time Needed: Less than 5 MINS
Is this Item Time-Sensitive and/or Requesting a Time-Certain? No
Requesting Staff Member: Kelly Colopy, Human Services Department Director
Are Supporting Documents Needed for this Agenda Item Request? Yes