STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Human and Social Needs
AGENDA DATE: December 8, 2021
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): N/A
DEPARTMENT: Office of Community Care
EXECUTIVE: Kimberly Bizor Tolbert
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
title
Authorize the (1) acceptance of a grant from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) (Contract No. 696-TC-22-23-L026) in the amount of $1,000,000.00 ($500,000.00 for FY 2021-2022 and $500,000.00 for FY 2022-2023) for re-entry services to individuals being released from TDCJ who are returning to the City of Dallas area to be provided from December 8, 2021 through August 31, 2023; (2) establishment of appropriations in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000.00 in the TDCJ Re-Entry Services Grant Program Fund FY21-23; (3) receipt and deposit of grant funds from TDCJ in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000.00 in the TDCJ Re-Entry Services Grant Program Fund FY21-23; and (4) execution of the Interlocal Agreement with TDCJ and all terms, conditions, and documents required by the agreement - Not to exceed $1,000,000.00 - Financing: Texas Department of Criminal Justice Grant Funds
body
BACKGROUND
The Reentry Services Program was established by the Texas State Legislature to support projects in Dallas and Houston that strive to support individuals being release from TDCJ facilities and returning to the Dallas or Houston Area. This project has been supported through appropriations in the 84th, 86th and now the 87th Texas State Legislative Session in 2021. Funding was once again appropriated within the budget for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to enter into an agreement with the City of Dallas to establish and operate a program for reentry services to individuals released from TDCJ facilities who are returning to the Dallas area. The City of Dallas may enter into agreements with non-profit entities, faith-based organizations, community groups and the private sector for the provision of services.
More than 150,000 individuals were incarcerated in Texas in 2016 and data shows that one in five of Texas inmates released are re-incarcerated within three years of release. Upon release, individual face a myriad of barriers to the successful reentry into society. These individuals often face limited employment opportunities, limited access to housing and are often ineligible for public benefits and other types of assistance, making it difficult to find stability and self-sufficiency. The TDCJ Reentry Services Program supports programming to help individuals released from TDCJ facilities who are returning to the Dallas area overcome these barriers to successful reintegration by providing grants to local organizations to provide services to support successful reentry and reintegration.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On April 27, 2016, City Council authorized the acceptance of a grant from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (Grant No. 696-TC-16-17-L063), to develop and operate a pilot program for re-entry services for the period September 1, 2015 through August 31, 2017; and execution of the grant agreement by Resolution No. 16-0635.
On January 22, 2020, City Council authorized the acceptance of a grant from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (Grant No. 696-TC-22-23-L026), to develop and operate a pilot program for re-entry services for the period September 1, 2019 through August 31, 2021; and execution of the grant agreement by Resolution No. 20-0207.
City Council will be briefed by memorandum regarding this matter on December 3, 2021. <https://dallascityhall.com/government/citymanager/Documents/FY%2021-22%20Memos/Upcoming%20OCC%20Agenda%20Item%2092%20-%20TDCJ%20Funds.pdf>
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2021-22 |
FY 2022-23 |
Future Years |
|
Texas Department of Criminal Justice Reentry Services Grant |
$500,000.00 |
$500,000.00 |
$0.00 |