ORDINANCE approving and authorizing the submission of an application for grant assistance to the OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR OF TEXAS FOR THE GENERAL VICTIM ASSISTANCE – DIRECT SERVICES PROGRAM (“Grant”) by the City of Houston Mayor’s Office; declaring the City's eligibility for such Grant; authorizing the City of Houston Mayor to act as the City's representative in the application process, with the authority to accept and expend such Grant Funds, as awarded, and to apply for, and accept, all subsequent awards, if any, pertaining to the program

In 2020 Council approved an ordinance which provided one year of continuation funding for 3 anti-human trafficking case managers to leverage the Mayor's Office of Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence's systems-level approach in meeting the need for comprehensive, victim-centered services including emergency shelter, intensive case management services, and referrals for healthcare and legal services.

Since our direct services program's inception in 2017 we served 357 confirmed and potential victims of human trafficking and provided 14,718 units of service. Because of our unique bridge to the shelter system, 93 clients also achieved longer-term housing. Victims served were diverse across gender, race, and age lines, and many had intersecting vulnerabilities, such as having experienced domestic violence and/or homelessness. Because of our program, case managers were able to rehabilitate victims by providing advocacy and accompaniment, offering emotional support and safety services such as crisis intervention, connecting victims with shelter and housing services, and making referrals. Our work is especially urgent now because of COVID-19's disproportionate economic impact on the most vulnerable including confirmed and potential victims of human trafficking. We mitigate this impact and support survivors' long-term economic security and resiliency through our in-house Common Good Workforce Agency, which unlike our OOG grant is open also to domestic violence survivors. Since January 2021 during the pilot phase, we engaged 21 survivors and 10 jobs were secured with the goal of scaling our efforts now that we have identified best practices.

Council is now asked to approve an Ordinance authorizing a grant application for $150,000 to the Office of the Governor of Texas for the General Victim Assistance - Direct Services Program by the City of Houston Mayor's Office to fund the program for 1 additional year (grant period is October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022 but not to exceed 5 years). The application does require, and this ordinance authorizes, the allocation of $94,311.01 as the City's cash match contribution.

Fiscal Note:

• Funding for this item is included in the FY22 Adopted Budget. Therefore, no Fiscal Note is required as stated in the Financial Policies.
• Funding for this item will be included in the FY23 Adopted Budget. Therefore, no Fiscal Note is required as stated in the Financial Policies.
• No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.

______________________________________________________

Minal Patel Davis

Director, Mayor's Office of Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence

Ordinance 2020-933 - October 28, 2020

Ordinance 2018-938 - November 28, 2018

Resolution 2017-0031 - December 12, 2017

$94,311.01    General Fund (1000)

$244,311.01  Total

Minal Patel Davis, Director

Mayor's Office of Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence

Phone: 832-393-0977 or 832-596-9965

E-Mail: minal.davis@houstontx.gov