The Houston Health Department (HHD) requests City Council approval of an ordinance authorizing acceptance of an award from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Reentry and Integration Division to establish and operate a program for reentry services for people returning to the Houston area after release form a Texas Department of Criminal Justice facility. The total budget and project cost is $1,000,000.00. The performance period is from September 1, 2021 through August 31, 2023. City matching funds are not required.
HHD also requests City Council to authorize the Mayor to execute all related contracts, agreements and documents with the approval of the City Attorney in connection with the grant contract and to authorize the Director or his designee to act as the City's representative with the authority to accept and expend the grant funds if and as awarded, and to accept and expend all subsequent supplemental awards, if any, and to extend the term and/or budget and project period not to exceed five years, if extended by TDCJ during the contract period and does not require cash matching funds.
HHD, through its Community Re-Entry Network Program (CRNP), will provide and refer program participants to healthcare services, supplemental food services, supportive housing, life skills training opportunities, cognitive and restructuring programs and workforce development assistance. The CRNP offers innovative programs and linkage to services designed to meet the needs of formerly incarcerated people. An estimated 300 ex-offenders per year will benefit from the services to include identifying physical and behavior health needs.
More than 12,000 ex-offenders are released from incarceration back into the greater Houston area annually. The CRNP collaborates with non-profit entities, faith-based organizations, community groups and the private sector to provide reentry services to reduce recidivism. CRNP in partnership with the community will assess, plan, and implement effective strategies to reduce recidivism, increase public safety, and successfully assist and support ex-offenders in their transition in becoming productive, contributing members of the Houston community.
Fiscal Note
No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.
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Stephen L. Williams, M.Ed., M.P.A.
Director, Houston Health Department