Title
Approval of a Resolution Ratifying and Confirming the Authorization and Signature by the City Manager of a Memorandum of Understanding with Catholic Community Services of Western Washington Related to an Application for Federal Grant Funding
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the resolution ratifying and confirming the authorization and signature by the City Manager of the Memorandum of Understanding with Catholic Community Services of Western Washington Related to an Application for Federal Grant Funding.
Report
Issue:
Whether to ratify and confirm signature by the City Manager of a Memorandum of Understanding with Catholic Community Services of Western Washington Related to an Application for Federal Grant Funding.
Staff Contact:
Darian Lightfoot, Director of Housing and Homeless Response, City Manager’s Office, 360-753-8033
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
The opioid crisis was declared a public health emergency in October 2017 and continues to take a devastating toll on the lives of individuals, families, and communities across the Nation. The increase in synthetic opioids in the Nation’s drug supply have only served to exacerbate and expand the reach of this devastation with over 100,000 drug overdose deaths in 2021, nearly a 15 percent increase from the prior year.
Additionally, this crisis also impacts first responders, the criminal justice system, child welfare and foster care, and behavioral health systems.
Resources are needed that are designed to support efforts that respond to, treat, and support those impacted by this crisis, particularly those who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality.
Catholic Community Services (CCS) recently approached the City to jointly apply for a $1.3 million grant distributed over three years through the U.S. Department of Justice FY 2023 Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant and Substance Use Program (COSSUP). Funding from COSSUP provides necessary resources that allow communities to respond to substance use and misuse to reduce overdose deaths, promote public safety, and support access to substance use disorder treatment and recovery services in the criminal justice system.
CCS and the Olympia Police Department already have a great working relationship doing this work; however, this funding will increase the capacity and offer training and support for both the Olympia Police Department and the Olympia Fire Department. CCS will use their portion of the funding to hire additional mental health and substance use disorder professionals to their Arrest and Jail Alternatives program offering greater engagement opportunities to impacted members of the community.
The full application for COSSUP funding, including a Memorandum of Understanding describing how the agencies will work together to meet project requirements, had to be filed by March 28, 2023. Due to the nature and importance this funding could have for the community, the City Manager authorized and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CCS on March 27, 2023.
Climate Analysis:
This grant doesn't have a direct impact on the goals and strategies outlined in the Climate Mitigation Plan. It does, however, work to improve the homeless response system, supporting residents who are frequent users of the City's emergency management system, often experiencing crisis in public due to lack of inpatient support, and lack access to hygiene services and in-turn use public waterways. These improvements help address greenhouse gas emissions and protect the natural environment.
Equity Analysis:
Washington State has continued to disinvest in mental health and substance use programs throughout the decades, leaving many Washington residents unwell and needing resources that are overcapacity. The stark increase in opioid addition coupled with a lack of service provision has worsen disparities for marginalized communities, impacting housing stability, compounding health conditions, and increasing overdoses and fatalities. This funding will help address those gaps in mental health and substance use support and better direct the appropriate emergency management to calls for service.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
It is in the public interest to support efforts that respond to, treat, and support those impacted by the opioid crisis.
Options:
1. Approve the Resolution ratifying the City Manager’s authorization and signature of a Memorandum of Understanding with Catholic Community Services of Western Washington.
2. Direct staff to make modifications to the proposed Resolution.
3. Do not approve the proposed Resolution.
Financial Impact:
$1.3 million over three years. There are no matching requirements for this grant.
Attachments:
Resolution
Memorandum of Understanding