City of Sunnyvale
Agenda Item
24-0434 Agenda Date: 3/26/2024
2024 COUNCIL STUDY ISSUE
NUMBER
DPS 24-04
TITLE Explore the Creation of a Disability Awareness Program
BACKGROUND
Lead Department: Department of Public Safety
Support Departments: Office of the City Manager
Office of the City Attorney
Sponsor(s): Councilmembers: Klein, Srinivasan, Din, Sell, Cisneros, Melton, Mehlinger
History: 1 year ago: N/A
2 years ago: N/A
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
What precipitated this study?
At the January 23, 2024 City Council meeting, Mayor Klein sponsored a Study Issue to research implementing a Special Needs Awareness Program. The Study Issue was co-sponsored by Councilmembers Srinivasan, Din, Sell, Cisneros, Melton, and Mehlinger. At the February 15, 2024 Study Issues/Budget Proposals Workshop, a motion was made by Councilmember Mehlinger to update the title of the study issue paper to a Disability Awareness Program. The motion passed by unanimous vote.
The Disability Awareness Program is designed to improve first responder interactions with members of the community with disabilities. The program would provide Sunnyvale DPS with important information when responding to calls for service that involve individuals with disabilities. Registration in the program would be voluntary, and information collected would be stored in a confidential database. Public Safety Dispatchers would provide the information to public safety personnel during emergency or non-emergency calls for service.
What are the key elements of the study?
The Study will examine the City’s ability to create a Disability Awareness Program. It will identify general guidelines and criteria for the program, as well as determine the necessary resources for enrollment, data collection, training, and program administration. Legal requirements, waivers, and necessary forms for program implementation will also be evaluated.
The Study will determine effective methods of promoting the program to the community, identify
Attachment 4
24-0434 Agenda Date: 3/26/2024
outreach platforms and determine program information to be placed on the city website. Additionally, it will consider strategies for maintaining an updated database and determine the appropriate frequency for families to re-register in the program.
The Study will also examine the ability of our dispatch system to disseminate the disability alerts to first responders and the associated cost to train all professional staff and first responders.
Estimated years to complete study: 1 year
FISCAL IMPACT
Cost to Conduct Study
Level of staff effort required (opportunity cost): Moderate Funding Required for Non-Budgeted Costs: $0
Funding Source: N/A
Moderate staff time will be required to perform research.
Cost to Implement Study Results
Unknown. The Study would include an assessment of potential and anticipated costs resulting from program implementation.
EXPECTED CITY COUNCIL, BOARD OR COMMISSION PARTICIPATION Council-Approved Work Plan: No
Council Study Session: No
Reviewed by Boards/Commissions: No
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Support. This policy issue merits discussion at the 2024 Study Issues Workshop.
This Study supports General Plan Goal SN-3 Safe and secure city. Ensure a safe and secure environment for people and property in the community by providing effective Public Safety response and prevention and education services. This Study also supports the Council strategic priority of Equity, Access, and Inclusion.
Prepared by: Ava Fanucchi, Deputy Chief
Reviewed by: Phan S. Ngo, Director, Department of Public Safety Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager Approved by: Kent Steffens, City Manager
Attachment 4