Department
District Attorney
Requested Action (Identify appropriate Action or Motion, purpose, cost, timeframe, etc.)
title
Request approval of an award without competition - District Attorney, 2023 Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) FY 23 Improving Adult and Youth Crisis Stabilization and Community Reentry Program Award Number 15PBJA-23-GG-02254-CSCR, in the amount of $750,000.00 with Morehouse School of Medicine named as a sub-awardee in the Grant in an amount not to exceed $300,000.00. Effective upon BOC approval through the term of the Grant. 100% grant funded. (APPROVED UPON ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA)
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Requirement for Board Action (Cite specific Board policy, statute or code requirement)
In accordance with Purchasing Code Section 102-384, after conducting a good faith review, the Purchasing Department has determined there is only one source available for the required supply, service or construction item, the request shall be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners for approval.
Strategic Priority Area related to this item (If yes, note strategic priority area below)
Justice and Safety
Commission Districts Affected
All Districts ☒
District 1 ☐
District 2 ☐
District 3 ☐
District 4 ☐
District 5 ☐
District 6 ☐
Is this a purchasing item?
Yes
Summary & Background: District Attorney, 2023 Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) FY 23 Improving Adult and Youth Crisis Stabilization and Community Reentry Program Award Number 15PBJA-23-GG-02254-CSCR, in the amount of $750,000 with Morehouse School of Medicine named as a sub-awardee in the Grant in an amount not to exceed $300,000. BJA seeks to implement programming and services in response to the Crisis Stabilization and Community Reentry Act of 2020. Reentry-focused grant funding is designed to help communities develop and implement comprehensive and collaborative strategies that address the challenges posed by reentry and recidivism reduction. “Reentry” is not a specific program but rather an ongoing process that starts from the moment an individual is initially incarcerated and continues throughout that individual’s transition from incarceration and reintegration into the community.
Scope of Work: Morehouse School of Medicine, located in Atlanta, Ga., was founded in 1975 as the Medical Education Program at Morehouse College and in 1981, became an independently chartered institution. MSM is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, Liaison Committee on Medical Education, Council on Education for Public Health, Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education and Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Morehouse School of Medicine will hire a licensed health care provider who specializes in mental and behavioral health to develop individualized plans for individuals identified by the FCDA as candidates for sentence modification, early release based on a provable unjust sentence claim. Using a variety of assessment tools, these plans will include mental health support and/or substance use treatment and will ensure the identified specific physical and mental health concerns will be addressed.
Community Impact: According to the American Psychological Association, 54% of people in state prisons have a history of mental health problems and, according to the National Institutes of Health, 85% of prisoners are dependent on or abusing drugs. The Georgia Department of Corrections reports 12,035 inmates with serious mental health issues. Inmates from Fulton County, the most populous county in the state, account for over 13% of those inmates. Considering these statistics represent only inmates who self-report or have been diagnosed, it is easy to believe the number of inmates suffering with mental health or substance use issues is much greater than we know. Many inmates are undiagnosed. In addition to mental health and substance abuse issues, challenges to reentry for justice-involved persons include loss of housing, unemployment, isolation, and, maybe worst of all, lack of medical services. People reentering communities after incarceration are sicker than the general population and face barriers to accessing health care and other supports. Returning residents who lack adequate resources to support reentry are often more likely to reoffend, putting our communities in danger of future crimes. Communities also pay in the long term in the form of lost tax revenue from unemployment and other ripple effects which the Justice Policy Institute estimates costs state and local governments nationwide somewhere between $8 billion and $21 billion annually.
Department Recommendation: The Department recommends approval
Project Implications:
Funding from this grant will allow individuals who get out of prison early the chance to have their needs addressed in a way which leads to a lower recidivism rate. By working with the Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Department of the Morehouse School of Medicine, this innovative program will provide individualized reentry plans for individuals selected for an early second chance. This new reentry program will also tools to identify wraparound services so returning residents with a reduced sentence coming out of prison will not fail. Each case is specific to the participant and assessment tools will be used based on recommendations of community partners.
Community Issues/Concerns: The District Attorney is not aware of any community concerns regarding the sub recipient partner
Department Issues/Concerns: The District Attorney is not aware of any community concerns regarding the sub recipient partner
Contract Modification: New Procurement
Contract & Compliance Information (Provide Contractor and Subcontractor details.)
Not Applicable
Exhibits Attached
Exhibit 1: Subrecipient Contract with Award Letter and Award Project Description.
Contact Information (Type Name, Title, Agency and Phone)
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Natalie Zellner, JD, Deputy District Attorney of Grants, Programs and Government Affairs, Office of the Fulton County District Attorney, (404) 612-4639
Contract Attached
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Yes
Previous Contracts
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No
Total Contract Value
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Original Approved Amount: |
$300,000 |
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Previous Adjustments: |
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This Request: |
$300,000 |
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TOTAL: |
$600,000 |
Grant Information Summary
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Amount Requested: |
$300,000 |
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Cash |
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Match Required: |
NA |
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In-Kind |
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Start Date: |
Upon BOC Approval |
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Approval to Award |
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End Date: |
September 30, 2026 |
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Apply & Accept |
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Match Account $: |
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Fiscal Impact / Funding Source
Funding Line 1: 461-480-CSCR-1160: Grants, District Attorney. Professional Services
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Key Contract Terms |
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Start Date: Upon BOC Approval |
End Date: September 30, 2026 |
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Cost Adjustment: NA |
Renewal/Extension Terms: . |
Overall Contractor Performance Rating:
Would you select/recommend this vendor again?
Yes
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Report Period Start: |
Report Period End: |
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Upon BOC Approval |
9/30/2026 |
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District Attorney
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