1 STAFF REPORT
DATE: October 1, 2024
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Michael Albanese, Chief of Police
BY: Viviana Garzon, Police Administrator
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of a Grant Agreement with the Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance for $200,000 and Amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget by Appropriating Funds
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURBANK AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE BYRNE DISCRETIONARY COMMUNITY
PROJECT GRANT AGREEMENT AND ANY FUTURE AMENDMENTS, ACCEPTING $200,000 IN GRANT FUNDS, AND AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 -25 BUDGET BY APPROPRIATING FUNDS (Attachment 1).
BACKGROUND
Established in 2012, the Burbank Police Department’s (Department) MHET program provides a co- response model for calls for service involving individuals experiencing mental crises, providing both intervention and connection to resources. The program partners a LCSW from the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH) with a police officer who is specially trained to manage situations involving potential mental health factors. In 2023, the Burbank Police Department completed 372 emergency mental health hospitalizations, with the MHET managing a total of 664 mental health related contacts. By mid-September 2024, the Department had recorded 23 emergency mental health hospitalizations, and MHET had conducted 428 mental health-related contacts.
In March 2023, the Department submitted an application to the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Community Project Funding (CPF) award program to expand its Mental Health Evaluation Team (MHET) program by adding a second full-time licensed clinical social worker POLICE
DEPARTMENT
2 (LCSW). Congressman Schiff selected the application and successfully secured the funding during the FY24 appropriations process. The Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance is the agency responsible for disbursing the award funds.
DISCUSSION
The MHET program has been highly successful in intervening with individuals experiencing mental health crises, as well as supporting family members and friends in navigating the complex behavioral health care system. In numerous cases, t he program has worked with high utilizers of police, fire, and other City resources to achieve favorable outcomes by connecting individuals with the necessary mental health care. The City’s MHET program distinguishes itself from other law enforcement/mental health collaborations by offering a broader range of services beyond crisis response. In addition to addressing emergency calls, the program focuses on case management, homeless outreach, consultation services, training, and community engagement, taking a holistic approach to the community’s mental health needs. The team regularly partners with the Burbank Unified School District, local non- profits, community members, service providers, and other stakeholders to deliver services that support sustained care for individuals and families, helping to prevent future emergency hospitalizations and law enforcement interventions.
Expanding the MHET program will enhance the City’s ability to address growing mental health needs, improve public safety, and ensure individuals receive appropriate care and services. With increasing calls related to mental health crises, adding a second full -time LCSW will allow MHET to respond more efficiently, reduce response times, and provide comprehensive support. Paired with a trained police officer, the second LCSW will form a second team, extending response capacity to more hours and days per week. Patrol officers will be relieved from extended interventions requiring specialized expertise by MHET, ensuring individuals receive appropriate care and allowing officers to focus on their core duties . This expansion will also alleviate pressure on local hospitals and emergency services, as well as improve the Department's ability to connect individuals with long-term care and resources.
For the past three years, t he Department has been in discussion with DMH regarding program expansion. DMH had previously indicated that additional resources could not be provided without supplemental funding for the requested personnel. Following notification of this grant award, staff contacted DMH to request a second LCSW, which DMH has now approved. Staff is working closely with DMH to amend the current Memorandum of Understanding to include the second LCSW, pending Council ’s adoption of this resolution. The Department anticipates that the second team will be deployed by the end of the year.
3 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Approval of the Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance grant agreement has no potential to result in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and as such, is not a “project” subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 14 Cal.
Code Regs § 15378.
FISCAL IMPACT
This is a reimbursement grant and will not require any matching funds from the City. Staff requests Council authority to amend the FY 2024- 2025 budget by accepting Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) grant funds and appropriating $200,000 from revenue account 121.PD000.48010.1037.25066 (General City Grants, Police Department General, Other Intergovernmental Revenues, DOJ Block Grant, BJA 2024) to expenditure accounts 121.PD91B.62135.0000.25066 (General City Grants, Police Department Grants – DOJ, Governmental Services, BJA 2024). Initially, funds will be drawn from 121.ND000.30011.0000.00000 (General City Grants, Non-Departmental Assigned Fund Balance) until reimbursed.
CONCLUSION
Approval and acceptance of this grant agreement aligns with the City’s goal of addressing the growing mental health needs of our community members. As communities across the nation evaluate response models for evolving environments and complex situations, the City’s MHET program has proven to be an effective service delivery model tailored to the needs of the Burbank community. Over the years, t he Burbank City Council, Police Commission, and community members have expressed support for expanding the program.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 – Resolution
Attachment 2 – Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grant Agreement