City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: MAY 10, 2022 FROM: RIVERSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT WARD: ALL SUBJECT: RECEIPT OF GRANT FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT UP TO $106,667.66 FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION – FY 2022 FIRST RESPONDERS-COMPREHENSIVE ADDICTION AND RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES ACT GRANT TO PROVIDE RESOURCES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT TO TRAIN, CARRY, AND ADMINISTER FEDERAL FOOD, DRUG, AND COSMETIC ACT APPROVED DRUGS AND DEVICES FOR EMERGENCY REVERSAL OF KNOWN OR SUSPECTED OPIOID OVERDOSE – SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUES:
Approve the acceptance of grant funds in an amount up to $106,667.66 from the Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration – FY 2022 First Responders-Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Support Services Act Grant for the period of June 30, 2022, through June 29, 2026, and authorize a supplemental appropriation in the amount of the grant award.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Approve the acceptance of grant funds in the amount up to $106,667.66 from the Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration – FY 2022 First Responders-Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Support Services Act Grant; With five affirmative votes, and upon receipt of the grant award, authorize an increase in revenues and appropriation expenditures in an amount up to $106,667.66, or in the amount of the grant award, in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Police-Field Operations, 22-First Responders Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Support Services Act (CARSSA) Program; and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary grant documents with the Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, including making minor and non-substantive changes as needed.
BACKGROUND:
In April of 2022, the Riverside Police Department (RPD) applied for funding from the Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The purpose of this program is to provide resources to first responders and members of other key community sectors at the state, tribal, and other government levels to train, carry and administer Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act approved drugs and devices for emergency reversal of known or suspected opioid overdose. Because of a very short timeline between notification of funding availability and submission deadline, and a known government grantor, the Police Department applied for the grant with approval of the Chief of Police.
DISCUSSION:
The effect of the opioid crisis in our community is only growing in number, intensity, and diversity. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid with a potency level 50 times that of most street heroin, and 100 times that of morphine. Along with the alarming increase in overdose related calls for service and the prevalence of fentanyl in many forms, comes a dramatic increase in the risk of exposure to fentanyl to law enforcement officers.
An intervention that can reduce overdose deaths is naloxone. Naloxone is a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose. It is an opioid antagonist. This means that it attaches to opioid receptors and reverses and blocks the effects of other opioids. Naloxone can quickly restore normal breathing to a person if their breathing has slowed or stopped because of an opioid overdose.
With funds from the FY 2022 First Responders-Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Support Services Act Grant, RPD will institute a program (RPD Narcan Deployment Program) to allow their officers and supervisors to carry naloxone on patrol, on special teams, in schools, at the stations, and by detectives. RPD has applied for $106,667.66 for a four-year grant period.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority No. 2 Community Well-Being and Goal number No. 2.4 – Support programs and innovations that enhance community safety, encourage neighborhood engagement, and build public trust.
This item aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – The Riverside Police Department is dedicated to improving quality of life by creating a safe environment in partnership with the people it serves. RPD’s ability to administer naloxone and serve the public interest benefits the City’s diverse population, and results in the greater public good.
Equity – RPD provides public safety services to all residents in the City of Riverside. The addition of law enforcement personnel carrying naloxone assists in the achievement of this goal and ensures safer streets for everyone.
Fiscal Responsibility – This grant will provide naloxone and other related materials to RPD, lessening the financial burden on the City’s General Fund.
Innovation – RPD must constantly evolve and adapt to meet the community’s changing needs and prepare for the future. This grant provides funding for the Police Department to implement the Riverside Police Department Narcan Deployment Program that might not otherwise be implemented.
Sustainability & Resiliency – The additional funding from this grant ensures the Police Department has the capacity to preserve, adapt, and grow with the needs of the community.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of this action is up to $106,667.66. No City matching funds are required.
Upon grant award and City Council approval, an increase will be recorded in revenues and appropriations in an amount up to $106,667.66, or in the amount of the grant award, in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Police-Field Operations, 22-First Responders Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Support Services Act (CARSSA) Program, revenue account number 9176100-331100 and expenditure account number 9176100-426800.
Prepared by: Larry V. Gonzalez, Chief of Police
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Chief Financial Officer/City Treasurer Approved by: Lea Deesing, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra Norton, City Attorney
Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration – FY 2022 First Responders-Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Support Services Act Grant - Page 3