Title
Retroactive Authorization to Apply For, Accept and Enter Into an Agreement for the Arizona Criminal Justice and Treatment Improvement Grant Program (Ordinance S-51798) - Citywide
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to allow the Police Department to retroactively apply for, accept, and enter into an agreement with the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission for state grant funds through the Arizona Criminal Justice and Treatment Improvement grant program. Funding provided under this grant will not exceed $1,000,000. Further request authorization for the City Treasurer to accept, and the City Controller to disburse, all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based Program (COSSAP) funds will help to develop, implement, or expand comprehensive programs in response to illicit opioids, stimulants, or other substances of abuse. This program furthers the Department’s mission by providing resources to support state, local, tribal, and territorial efforts to reduce violent crime and drug abuse and enhance public safety while supporting victims. The overall objectives are to provide a statewide initiative designed to reduce the impact of substances on Arizona’s communities as well as reduce the number of overdose fatalities.
The Police Department will use this funding to collaborate with the Office of Public Health to reduce overdose fatalities, and the overall impact of substance use, through the use of an evidence-based, peer support model that will support the replication of the first responder-led diversion program which has been successful in other municipalities in Arizona. This program gives police officers and fire personnel the opportunity to immediately connect individuals who experience an opioid overdose with referrals to treatment and wrap-around services. After a person is revived by naloxone, a Phoenix First Responder will call the EMPACT- Suicide Prevention Center hotline and provide basic information, including which hospital the patient is being transported to and dispatch a peer support navigator to the hospital to make contact with the patient and offer them these critical treatment and wrap-around support services. Follow-up is then provided for up to 45 days after the overdose incident. Through these peer navigator and wrap-around services prompted by first responders and supported by this grant, evidence has shown that patients will be more likely to engage in treatment services and be less likely to overdose in the future.
The grant application was due by March 14, 2025. If authorization is denied, the grant application will be rescinded.
Contract Term
The term of the contract will be five months beginning on April 1, 2025, with a 12-month extension option.
Financial Impact
No matching funds are required.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays and the Police Department.