The Houston Health Department (HHD) requests City Council approval of an ordinance to accept a grant award in the amount of $500,000.00 from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) for the continued administration of the City of Houston's Re-Entry Services for ex-offenders from the TDCJ Program. The contract shall be in effect 09/01/2023 to 08/31/2024 with a one-year renewal option period unless terminated sooner than the original contract year. The current budget and period amount is amount is $500,000.00 from 09/01/2023 to 08/31/2024.
HHD also requests City Council authorize the Mayor to execute all related contracts, agreements, amendments and documents with the approval as to form of the City Attorney in connection with the grant program 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 as awarded, and to apply for, 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 project period, and which does not require cash matching funds.
Funding from this grant is cost reimbursement for meeting objectives of operating a program for re-entry services for ex-offenders returning to the Houston area after being released from a Texas Department of Criminal Justice facility. The goal of the program is to provide re-entry programs to reduce the recidivism rates and support ex-offenders in their transition to becoming productive, contributing members of the Houston community.
Funding will allow HHD to continue to provide services to combat rising recidivism rates through multi-sector collaboration and strategic, evidence-based interventions for individuals, groups, and communities with higher vulnerability.
Grant Source
The funding for this project is from a state grant through the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
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