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October 13, 2015 <br /> <br />“ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIAE $28,750.45 IN THE FY 2015-16 GENERAL FUND <br />T <br />FROM THE UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE OF THE GENERAL FUND FOR USE BY <br />THE DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARIES FOR THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE SCHOOLS <br />AND LIBRARIES PROGRAM.” <br /> <br />Ayes: Cherry, Edmonds, Meeks, Moody, Psimas, Whitaker, Wright <br />Nays: None <br /> <br />15 - 358 - Adoption of an ordinance accepting funding from the Virginia <br />Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services in the amount of <br />$50,000 and appropriating said amount in the FY 2015-16 Behavioral Healthcare <br />Services Fund for the purpose of funding a Crisis Intervention Team Peer Support <br />Position. <br />Vision Principle: Neighborhoods and a Sense of Community. <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br /> The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) assessment sites serve as a therapeutic, <br />non-criminal justice places to which trained law enforcement officers can bring <br />individuals in mental health crisis as an alternative to incarceration. Sites are <br />accessible 24hours/day-7days/week for law enforcement custodial hand-off, clinical <br />assessment for possible civil commitment, referrals and linkage to services for acute <br />and sub-acute mental health treatment needs. The site provides a safe, therapeutic <br />environment for de-escalation of emotional crises. The current site for Portsmouth is <br />Safe Harbor, which is located at Maryview Hospital. <br /> <br /> The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services <br />(DBHDS) awarded funding to the City to hire a CIT Peer Support person to be housed <br />at the CIT Site. The position is intended to offer support, motivate, advocate and provide <br />linkage of services to individuals coming through the CIT Assessment Sites. <br /> <br />Discussion: <br /> <br /> The Peer Support position will be housed at the CIT site and offer support to <br />individuals experiencing a crisis and follow-up to ensure linkage for continuum of care. <br />The CIT program will be enhanced by the use of a peer who can more directly relate <br />their own personal experiences and offer support at a different level then trained officers <br />and Crisis Intervention Professionals. <br /> <br />Financial Impact: <br /> <br /> There is no financial impact to the city. With ongoing support from the <br />Commonwealth, DBHS will continue to include the position in future fiscal years. <br /> <br />Recommended Action: <br /> <br /> Adoption of a resolution to approve appropriation of $ 50,000 to the Department <br />of Behavioral Healthcare Services. Vision Principle: Neighborhoods and a Sense of <br />Community. <br /> <br />Next Steps Following Council Action: <br /> <br /> If the requested appropriation is approved, the Director of BHS will ensure the <br />proper disbursement of funds for the CIT Peer position and implementation of Services. <br /> <br />Motion by Mr. Moody, and seconded by Mr. Meeks, to adopt the following <br />ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: <br /> <br />“ORDINANCE ACCEPTING FUNDING FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF <br />BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF <br />$50,000 AND APPROPRIATING SAID AMOUNT IN THE FY 2015-16 BEHAVIORAL <br />HEALTHCARE SERVICES FUND FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING A CRISIS <br />INTERVENTION TEAM PEER SUPPORT POSITION.” <br /> <br />Ayes: Cherry, Edmonds, Meeks, Moody, Psimas, Whitaker, Wright <br />Nays: None <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />