HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-18-2008-3fORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 18, 2008
Action Agenda
Item No. _ 3
SUBJECT: Resolution in Support of Continuation of CJPP Funding
DEPARTMENT: Social Services PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
Resolution
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sharron Hinton, 245-2840
Marie Lamou.reaux, 245-2274
PURPOSE: To consider a resolution demonstrating support of continuation funding for the
Orange/Chatham Criminal Justice Partnership Program.
BACKGROUND: Since 1994, the NC Department of Correction has provided funding to
support community-based alternatives for adult offenders. These funds have been provided
consistently through the years and. have been allocated as recurring dollars. Orange County
currently funds a Resource Center, through contractual arrangements with Freedom House
Recovery Center, and administrative support for the multi-county initiative with Chatham County.
Most recently, the NC General Assembly has moved funding for the Criminal Justice
Partnership Program (CJPP) to the Continuation Review process. As a result, no funds are
budgeted for the continued operation of local CJPP programs after June 30, 2008.
With the placement in anon-recurring status, the legislature will have to be convinced of the
need and success of CJPP operations towards the established program goals of:
• Reducing Recidivism
o Reducing Probation Revocation
Reducing Alcoholism/Other Drug Dependencies
• Reducing the Cost of Incarceration
CJPP boards across the state are requesting that their respective boards of county
commissioners submit Resolutions in Support of Continuation Funding for these programs.
The chair of the Orange/Chatham County CJPP has developed such a resolution for BOCC
approval. A similar resolution was approved by the Chatham County Board of Commissioners
on March 3, 2008.
2
FINANCIAt_ IMPACT: Orange County currently receives $169,973 to support CJPP programs.
Any decrease in state funding could adversely affect local programming efforts.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the attached
resolution and authorize the Chair to sign.
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 3
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF CONTINUATION OF
CRIMINAL JUSTICE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM FUNDING
WHEREAS, Criminal Justice Partnership Program (CJPP) funding has. been
removed from the continuation budget and is now subject to continuation review;
and
WHEREAS, the non-reoccurring status of CJPP funding and subsequent
continuation review will delay the annual appropriation and may result in the loss of
qualified professionals to provide treatment services for adult offenders at the local
level; and
WHEREAS, since 1994, the State of North Carolina and county governments have
been partners in providing necessary community based substance abuse treatment
services to adult offenders, which have been effective in reducing recidivism by
these offenders; and
WHEREAS, the local CJPP Boards diligently carry out their charge of assessing
community needs, planning for services to meet those needs and recommending
programs for funding to deliver the services, and evaluating the performance of
these programs; and
WHEREAS, the loss of CJPP program services will result in the adult offender being
without community based treatment services and could increase recidivism, as well
as, incarceration in the local jails and State prison system; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Orange County Board of
Commissioners strongly endorses full reinstatement of funding for the Criminal
Justice Partnership Program to the continuation budget and the allocation of
additional funds to support legislative mandates to protect the community and
provide a criminal justice continuum at the local level.
This, the 18th day of March 2008.
Barry Jacobs; Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners