Title
Adoption of Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Required Documents with the Office of Justice Programs to Accept $963,000 for the 2024 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program Funding for Operational Costs of the City of Alameda Community Assessment Response and Engagement (CARE) Team and to Amend the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Fire Grants Fund (Fund 220) Operating Budget by Increasing Appropriations by $963,000. (Fire 220G12080)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Alameda’s (City) Fire Department (AFD) was awarded a Fiscal Year 2024-25 Office of Justice Program grant to partially fund the City’s Community Assessment Response & Engagement (CARE) Team, led by AFD, to provide a 24/7 alternative response to nonviolent individuals facing a mental health crisis. Staff seeks City Council approval to accept the grant funds and adopt the attached resolution to accept $963,000 in funding.
BACKGROUND
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program provides vital federal funding to state and local jurisdictions, enabling them to support a wide range of critical initiatives. These include mental health services, behavioral programs, and crisis intervention teams. This grant is the administrative process required to access the federal earmark received earlier for the CARE Team. These grant funds will support the uninterrupted delivery of 24/7 alternative response for nonviolent individuals experiencing mental health crises.
In July 2021, City Council approved the CARE Team as a pilot program designed to address mental health emergencies within the community through an innovative and compassionate approach. The CARE Team prioritizes specialized assistance to individuals facing mental health challenges, aiming to reduce dependence on traditional law enforcement and emergency room interventions.
By providing direct financial support, this program enhances public health and safety while offering ongoing care for community members in mental health crises. All community projects funded under JAG must adhere to program statutes and align with the Justice Department’s guidelines.
DISCUSSION
In coordination with then-Representative Barbara Lee’s office, the City was awarded the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant. The JAG Program is the leading source of federal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. The JAG Program provides states, tribes, and local governments with critical funding necessary to support a range of program areas including mental health services, and crisis intervention teams such as the CARE Team.
AFD and Alameda Family Services (AFS) collaborated to establish the CARE Team program in December 2021. The CARE Team objective is to provide compassionate and effective responses to mental health crises within the community. This innovative initiative combines the expertise of AFD paramedics and EMTs as first responders with AFS’s specialized after-care services, clinical case management, “bridge” therapy, and on-call mental health consultation, ensuring comprehensive support for those in need.
The CARE Team is activated through 911 and the Alameda Police Department (APD) dispatch center. APD dispatchers are trained to triage calls and identify mental health crises, these incidents are then transferred over to AFD dispatch to deploy the CARE Team. APD officers may assist when safety concerns are present, but responsibility is transitioned to the CARE Team once the scene is secure, reducing reliance on law enforcement during mental health emergencies.
All CARE Team responders receive over 40 hours of specialized training in compassionate, culturally responsive mental health crisis assessments and receive additional training in crisis de-escalation techniques (PRO-ACT). They are authorized to issue involuntary holds in collaboration with AFS clinicians, enabling comprehensive care without law enforcement involvement. This training ensures the team can manage complex situations effectively while prioritizing the dignity and needs of those they serve.
The CARE Team serves the community 24 hours a day and is focused on fostering an approachable presence to ensure clients feel safe and respected. They transport individuals in crisis to appropriate facilities or community locations based on their unique needs. The CARE Team transports clients to 23 different destinations, reflecting its adaptability in meeting individual needs and reducing unnecessary hospitalization and repeat emergency calls.
AFS provides evidence-based, trauma-informed case management services through AFS, using Motivational Interviewing techniques. Follow-up care begins within 24 hours and continues for at least 14 days, during which clients are connected to long-term support systems. Warm hand-offs and personalized care plans ensure a smooth transition to ongoing services, enhancing the CARE Team’s effectiveness in stabilizing individuals in crisis and ensuring they receive wrap around support and services.
City staff recommends that City Council accept this grant funding for the CARE Team operations and authorize the use of $963,000, ensuring the program's continued ability to provide vital mental health crisis response services to the community.
ALTERNATIVES
• Accept the grant in the amount of $963,000 for operational costs of the CARE Team.
• Do not accept the grant, which will require the amount of $963,000 be funded by the General Fund for continued operations of the CARE Team.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
Accepting the $963,000 grant ensures continuation of CARE Team services without additional financial strain on the General Fund. (Fire Grants 220G1208)
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with Alameda Municipal Code Section 2-59 (Authorization of Contracts). This action supports the Strategic Priority, “Enhance Community Safety & Services” in the City’s Strategic Plan.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action does not constitute a “project” as defined in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378 and therefore no further CEQA analysis is required.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute all required documents with the Office of Justice program to accept $963,000 for the 2024 JAG program funding for operational costs of the CARE Team and to amend the fiscal year 2024-25 fire grants fund (fund 220) operating budget by increasing appropriations by $963,000.
Respectfully submitted,
Nicholas Luby, Fire Chief
By,
Anne Iturraran, Fire Administrative Services Manager
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Acting Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. JAG: Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grant Award Letter