CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
                 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA



 Agenda Date:         February 6, 2023

 Action Required:     Appropriation of grant funds

 Presenter:           Susan Morrow - Offender Aid and Restoration, Jen Scott - Offender Aid and
                      Restoration

 Staff Contacts:      Krisy Hammill, Director of Budget

 Title:               Appropriating Supreme Court of Virginia Behavioral Health Docket Grant
                      in the amount of $61,500 for operations of the therapeutic docket
                      program (1 of 2 readings)


Background
The City of Charlottesville, on behalf of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Therapeutic Docket program,
has received a Supreme Court of Virginia Behavioral Health Docket Grant in the amount of $61,500
for operations of the therapeutic docket program, which is operated by Offender Aid and Restoration
(O.A.R.). The City of Charlottesville serves as fiscal agent for the Supreme Court of Virginia
Behavioral Health Docket Grant.

Discussion
In its fourth year of operation, the Charlottesville-Albemarle Therapeutic Docket program is a
supervised 8 to 12 month treatment program that serves as an alternative to incarceration for
offenders. The Therapeutic Docket is a specialized docket within the existing structure of the court
system given the responsibility to handle cases involving non-violent adult misdemeanor offenders
who suffer from serious mental illness. The program uses the power of the court to assist non-
violent offenders to achieve wellness and recovery through a combined system of intensive
supervision, medication management, mental health treatment, and regular court appearances.

The total program budget is $228,700 and includes three funding sources:

Supreme Court of VA:          $61,500
City of Charlottesville:     $110,000, (previously appropriated)
Albemarle County:             $57,200, (previously appropriated)

Alignment with City Council's Vision and Strategic Plan
This relates to the City of Charlottesville’s priority area of safety/criminal justice. The Therapeutic
Docket is a valuable, less expensive alternative to incarceration for certain criminal offenders with
serious mental illness which utilizes a blend of court-ordered supervision, mental health treatment
services, court appearances, and behavioral sanctions and incentives to reduce recidivism and
enhance personal accountability and mental health and wellness among participants.
Community Engagement
The Therapeutic Docket is a direct service provider and is engaged daily with non-violent criminal
offenders with serious mental illness who are at a high level of risk for reoffending and have a high
level of need due to mental illness. By collaborating with the Court system, Region Ten Community
Services Board and Partner for Mental Health, the Therapeutic Docket provides these offenders with
a highly structured, rigorously supervised system of treatment and criminal case processing that
results in a significant reduction in recidivism rates for program participants and graduates.
Participants gain access to the Therapeutic Docket through referrals from police, probation,
magistrates, defense attorneys and other local stakeholders. Participants have active criminal cases
pending in the General District Court. If they successfully complete the program, which takes a
minimum of 6 months, participants may have their pending charges dismissed. If participants are
unsuccessful and have to be terminated from the program, they return to court to face their original
charges. Successful Therapeutic Docket participants return the community’s investment in them by
improving their mental health status, maintaining compliance with treatment regimens, including
medications, and reducing their criminal behaviors in the community.

Budgetary Impact
No additional City funding is required as the City’s match for this grant, $110,000, was appropriated
within the FY 2023 Council Approved Budget as part of the City’s contribution to Offender Aid and
Restoration.

Recommendation
Staff recommends approval and appropriation.

Alternatives
Council could choose to not approve the grant.

Attachments
1.   Resolution_FY23 TD Appropriation 1900499