Title
Community Assistance: Respond, Engage, and Support (CARES) Team
Action
ACTION:
1) Receive Community Assistance: Respond, Engage, and Support (CARES) Presentation.
2) Recognize, receive and appropriate the award amount of up to $963,000 to the General Grant fund (G001) within Public Health.
3) Approve the creation of six (6) full-time, time-limited positions within Public Health.
4) Adopt the required grant project ordinance for Community Assistance: Respond, Engage, and Support (Cares) Team grant in the General Grant Fund (G001).
Staff Contact: Raynard Washington, PhD, MPH, Health Director
Presentation: Yes
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
1. Dr. Raynard Washington, Public Health Director, and Stacey Butler, LCSW, Senior Health Program Manager, will present information on the 2024 CARES Proposal.
2. This funding and positions will allow Mecklenburg County to become a sub-recipient to the City of Charlotte’s Edward Byre Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) funded by the Department of Justice. The funds will be used to support the Community Assistance: Respond, Engage, and Support (CARES) program, an initiative providing civilian response to low-level 911 calls for service, will transition from the City of Charlotte to Mecklenburg County Public Health. County operational plans expand the service geography, add additional hours and staff, and ensure uninterrupted service delivery during the transition period and through June 30, 2026. These teams will respond to low-level 911 calls, direct requests from police officers, and conduct proactive visits and follow-ups. Staff will offer care coordination and service linkages and will coordinate linkages to partners including mental health and substance use providers, CSS, Roof Above and the local network of street outreach providers, shelters, and housing resource agencies.
PROCUREMENT BACKGROUND:
N/A
POLICY IMPACT:
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
General Grant Fund (G001) increase of up to $963,000 in revenue and associated expenses