Title
State Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust Fund Funding for BOLD Program (NB)
This is a request for City Commission approval for the appropriation of funds for the BOLD Program.
Explanation
The BOLD Program recently received a grant in the amount of $10,000.00 from the local Byrne Grant to begin on October 1, 2013. The money is intended for staffing through a contract with the Black on Black Crime Task Force Inc. The Gainesville Police Department is requesting an additional $10,000.00 from the State Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust Fund to assist with funding this position.
The BOLD Program was created by Gainesville Police Department in the fall of 2011 as a crime prevention effort designed to work with at-risk young adults ranging in age of 18 to 26 years old who have made poor choices that have negatively impacted their lives. Experience and research have shown that reducing recidivism is one of the most promising methods to help ensure public safety. This program is designed to address the needs of offenders who have been, or are, at risk of being involved in criminal activity and are currently experiencing negative consequences such as homelessness and/or unemployment. Many of the targeted group have not finished high school and have other risk factors that may contribute to them re-offending. Some are currently on probation.
The BOLD counselors serve as advisors/mentors that attempt to get the participants to establish productive goals that will lead to successful outcomes. BOLD also serves as a liaison to assist participants in obtaining needed resources and services ranging from housing, food, clothing, employment, to education, etc. The program’s staff performs case management services to a variety of offenders in collaboration with existing resources that transition participants from being community liabilities and drains on community services to being positive influences in the community.
Fiscal Note
Funds for this ex...
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