Title
Resolution to Approve a Mental Health Court Planning Grant Contract with the Michigan Supreme Court State Court Administrative Office and to Accept and Allocate Funds Pursuant to Contract ($113,154.00) (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
This resolution seeks Council approval for a grant contract with the Michigan Supreme Court State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) to fund the planning and establishment of the 15th Judicial District Court Mental Health Court program, and further seeks authorization to accept and allocate grant funds from the State Court Administrative Office Michigan Mental Health Court Planning Grant Program (SCAO-MMHCGP) without regard to City Fiscal Year.
Mental Health Courts are problem-solving courts that focus on therapeutic treatment for offenders with mental illnesses whose crimes are a result of their mental illness. Eligible defendants are diverted into judicially supervised, community-based treatment to address the underlying problems. The program uses a team approach to address the participant's needs for mental health and/or substance abuse treatment while also linking the participant with ancillary services such as education, housing, job skills or other individualized assistance. The goal is to assist participants in bettering their lives while also benefiting the community by reducing jail time, recidivism rates, and court docket congestion.
Staff
Prepared by: Shryl Samborn, Court Administrator, 15th Judicial District Court
Approved by: Steven D. Powers, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The Michigan Supreme Court State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) invited an application from the 15th Judicial District Court for Michigan Mental Health Court Planning Grant Program funds to plan and initiate the operations of a specialized Mental Health Treatment Court;
Whereas, The 15th Judicial District Court applied for and was awarded $113,154.00 by SCAO pursuant to that invitation; and
Whereas, It is in the best interests of the City of Ann Arbor and in the best interests of justice to enter into a grant contract with SCAO and to accept and allocate grant funds awarded by SCAO for this purpose;
RESOLVED, That City Council accept the Michigan Mental Health Court Planning Grant award to the 15th Judicial District Court for expenditure without regard to City Fiscal Year and approve the Program Contract with SCAO;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute the contract on behalf of the Court and the City following approval as to form by the City Attorney and as to substance by the City Administrator;
RESOLVED, That Council authorize the City Administrator to take all necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution; and
RESOLVED, That City Council authorize the Court to establish a separate grant account to receive, hold, disburse and account for funds awarded pursuant to this grant as the City Finance Director may determine appropriate.