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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Memorandum of Understanding for Grant Funding Under the 2022 Department of Justice Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Program (JAG) RESOLUTION NO. 22-407 RESOLUTION APPROVING MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR GRANT FUNDING UNDER THE 2022 DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (JAG) FOR THE CITY OF AMES,IOWA WHEREAS,in June 2022,the Ames Police Department received notice that it is eligible for grant funds through the 2022 Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant(JAG) Program; and, WHEREAS, grant funds may be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training,personnel,equipment,supplies,contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice, as well as research and evaluation activities that will improve or enhance law enforcement programs related to criminal justice; and, WHEREAS,because the Story County Sheriffprovides jail services for the County,the grant conditions require that the Sheriff participate in the grant application for funding under this JAG program; and, WHEREAS, the Police Department proposes that the City enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Story County for acquisition and use of the funds; and, WHEREAS,total funding potentially available to the Ames Police Department and the Story County Sheriff's Office through this grant offering is $16,121; and, WHEREAS,this year,the two law enforcement agencies propose to use the funds in a proj ect to continue a project that enhances the capabilities and expertise in mental health and wellness;and, WHEREAS,additionally,a portion of the funds would be used to outfit officers with external bulletproof vest carriers, which promote healthier backs and improved comfort for officers; and, WHEREAS, if awarded, grant funds will be used by the City to: • Provide mental health programming for the Ames community titled,"Mental Health First Aid." Mental Health First Aid is a groundbreaking public education program that helps the public identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The program is very popular with the community and the funding would be used to purchase participant course materials. • Send several staff members to "LivingWorks Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training" (ASIST). After completing the training, staff would be able to provide a two-day interactive workshop to the community in suicide first aid. ASIST teaches participants to recognize when someone may have thoughts of suicide and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety. • Send two staff members with the appropriate skills and abilities to advanced crisis intervention training as well as "Law Enforcement Resiliency and Peer Support (LERPS). LERPS is designed to prepare first responder peer supporters with the ability to conduct individual psychological debriefings,provide peer support,make appropriate professional intervention referrals for peers and their family members, as needed. Those staff members would provide support to individual law enforcement personnel who need assistance in coping with demanding duties of the law enforcement profession. • Purchase outer bulletproof vest carriers.Vest carriers can promote good back and hip health by providing necessary support to the person wearing them. They also can reduce the heat and discomfort experienced by other armor systems that are designed to go under clothing or are otherwise"hidden."Officers who are comfortable and in good shape are more likely to be able to do their jobs safely and without causing or incurring injury. The funds from this grant would outfit 12 officers with outer vest carriers. This for the carrier only, not the ballistic vest itself. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa, that the Memorandum of Understanding with Story County to apply for grant funding under the 2022 Department of Justice,Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant(JAG)Program is hereby approved. ADOPTED THIS 26th day of July, 2022. Diane R. Voss, City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor Introduced by: Corrieri Seconded by: Betcher Voting aye: Betcher, Corrieri, Gartin, Junck, Rollins Voting nay: None Absent: Beatty-Hansen Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 26t1i day of July, 2022.