Title
Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) Cost Reimbursement Grant from the Department of Juvenile Justice (B)
Explanation
The City of Gainesville, Gainesville Police Department shall operate a prevention program known as Heroes Program (Provider). The Provider shall ensure the services address the issue of overrepresentation of minority youth in Florida’s juvenile justice system by focusing on the issue of DMC. The Provider shall focus on the issue of DMC by delivering Mentoring Services, DMC Youth Focus Groups, and DMC Educational Field Trips. The Heroes Program meets the targeted needs of fifty youth by providing effective prevention programming to prevent juvenile delinquency. The Provider shall provide services to youth who are identified as at-risk of becoming involved in the juvenile justice system and are between the ages of five to seventeen.
Major Goal of the Program/Service
The goal of these prevention services is to divert youth who pose no real threat to public safety away from the juvenile justice system through programming which will support a safe environment and provide youth and their families’ positive alternatives for delinquent behavior.
Services to be Provided
Service Tasks: The Provider shall perform the following service tasks as specified when providing service under this Contract. The Provider shall document the service tasks that have been completed or are being accomplished:
1. Screening and Evaluation: The Provider shall provide a pre-test and post-test survey to each youth admitted to the program.
2. Transportation Services: The Provider shall provide or arrange for the provision of transportation for program-related purposes, when necessary and appropriate. Program-related purposes shall include, but are not limited to: a) Community volunteer and service learning project; and b) Youth development or educational activities.
3. Mentoring Sessions: The Provider shall provide a program, designed for youth, with specific themes addressing topics such as positive image of law enforcement, decision making, identifying positive role models, and self-esteem.
4. DMC Youth Focus Groups: The Provider shall conduct focus groups with minority youth in the communities that they serve. The goal of these focus groups is to improve the relationship between law enforcement officers and the minority youth they may come in contact with, and build a mutual respect between the two groups.
5. DMC Educational Field Trips: The Provider shall provide a safe environment, encouraging law enforcement and youth to build bridges through positive bonding activities, demonstrations, instruction and training, and educational field trips.
Fiscal Note
This is a $42,250 reimbursement grant from the Department of Juvenile Justice to the Gainesville Police Department. The Gainesville Police Department will be reimbursed the full $42,250.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) approve the Gainesville Police Department’s participation in the Disproportionate Minority Contact Cost Re-imbursement Grant from the Department of Juvenile Justice; and 2) authorize the City Manager to execute the contract documents, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality.