Title
Community Court Update and Grant Award Announcement
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Recognize the Community Court Grant Award from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a presentation on an update on the Community Court Program and the Grant Award from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance.
Staff Contact:
Maryam Olson, Court Administrator, Court 360.709.2783
Diane Whaley, Community Court Executive/Public Defense Coordinator, 360.753.8057
Presenter(s):
Scott Ahlf, Municipal Court Judge
Diane Whaley, Community Court Executive/Public Defense Coordinator
Bryanna Pinkston, Assistant City Prosecutor
Background and Analysis:
Olympia Community Court has been chosen as one of eight courts in the nation to receive a community court grant. The U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance chose 8 courts to receive grant funding to establish or enhance community courts and to support community court grantees and practitioners in developing effective responses to low-level, nonviolent offenses.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) FY20 National Community Courts Site-based and Training and Technical Assistance Initiative supports efforts by state, local, and federally recognized Indian tribal governments to establish and enhance community courts in their jurisdictions.
Community courts enhance public safety by addressing underlying issues that lead to criminal behavior, including substance abuse and behavioral health issues. By engaging communities in planning and operational processes, they provide justice system officials with more effective options in dealing with lower-level offenses, enhance public trust in the conduct of justice, and help to reduce unnecessary incarceration.
Olympia was chosen for an Enhancement Grant in the amount of $400,000. Funding will be used for housing se...
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