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Consider Adopting a Resolution Supporting Funding for a Fourth Position for the Orange County Street Outreach, Harm Reduction and Deflection Program.
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Staff: |
Department: |
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Maurice Jones, Town Manager |
Manager’s Office |
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Loryn Clark, Deputy Town Manager |
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Christopher Blue, Police Chief and Executive Director for Community Safety |
Police Department |
Overview: The Reimagining Community Safety Task Force identified expansion of the Orange County Street Outreach, Harm Reduction and Deflection <https://www.orangecountync.gov/2576/Street-Outreach-Harm-Reduction-and-Defle> (SOHRAD) program as a priority. SOHRAD connects people experiencing homelessness in Orange County with housing and services. Currently the three team members provide peer support and clinical staff for unsheltered residents. Orange County requests funding to support a fourth position for the SOHRAD team.
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Recommendation(s): |
That the Council adopt the resolution supporting expansion of the SOHRAD program and authorize the Manager to negotiate a funding agreement with Orange County up to $38,860 to support a fourth position for the SOHRAD program.
Background
• The SOHRAD program fills a gap in the County’s homeless service system.
• The three-member SOHRAD team has been in place since October 2020 and conducts its outreach throughout the County.
• The program was initially funded by federal Emergency Solutions CARES Act (ESG-CV) funds.
• In 2021, the Orange County Board of Commissioners allocated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to support the team’s work from October 2021- through June, 2022.
• Some of the Team’ s accomplishments since October 2020 - November 2021 include:
o Over 230 people served
o 60 have been permanently housed (23 with Housing Choice Vouchers)
o 68 entered transitional housing or shelter
o Over 180 entered other temporary destinations (friends/family, motel, etc.)
o Over 180 received services (supplies, food, transportation, etc.)
o Over 60 law enforcement deflections
o 91 received clinical support
o 26 received COVID-19 vaccination from the mobile unit
Key Issues:
• The final report prepared by the Town’s Reimagining Community Safety Task Force <https://www.townofchapelhill.org/home/showpublisheddocument/49357/637600438568470000> identified 28 recommendations, including support to expand the SOHRAD program.
• The Fiscal Year 2022 budget adopted by the Council included $100,000 to support implementation of the Reimagining Community Safety Task Force’s recommendations.
• Orange County staff requests that the Council consider funding for a fourth team member to support the SOHRAD program to enhance its outreach and manage the case load.
• If the Council chooses to provide funding for the SOHRAD program, the Manager would negotiate a funding agreement with Orange County.
Fiscal Impact/Resources:
• Due to the timing of this request, funding will be needed for less than 6 months (approximately $38,860 for January - June 2022).
• We recommend that the Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness consider including future funding for this position in its FY 23 budget request to the Council and the other members of the partnership for consideration.
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Attachments: |
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• Resolution |
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• Letter from Orange County Manager |
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• Street Outreach and Harm Reduction and Deflection Program Summary |
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• December 1, 2021 Council Question(s) with Staff Response |
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING FUNDING A FOURTH POSITION FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY STREET OUTREACH, HARM REDUCTION AND DEFLECTION PROGRAM (2022-01-12/R-4)
WHEREAS, the Reimagining Community Safety Task Force identified expansion of the Street Outreach, Harm Reduction and Deflection program as a priority; and
WHEREAS, Orange County indicates a need to add a fourth position to the program to enhance its outreach and manage the case load; and
WHEREAS, the Council allocated $100,000 in the FY 2022 budget to implement the Reimagining Community Safety Task Force recommendations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council supports funding a fourth position for the Orange County Street Outreach, Harm Reduction and Deflection Program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council authorizes the Town Manager to negotiate a funding agreement with Orange County up to $38,860.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that continued funding for the fourth position would be discussed during the Council’s FY 23 budget discussions.
This the 12th day of January, 2022.
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The Agenda will reflect the text below and/or the motion text will be used during the meeting. |
presenter
PRESENTER: Loryn Clark, Deputy Town Manager
RECOMMENDATION: That the Council support funding a fourth position for the Orange County Street Outreach, Harm Reduction and Deflection program and authorize the Manager to negotiate a funding agreement with Orange County for up to $38,860.