Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1684FY0001 Homeless Assessment Referral and Tracking (H.A.R.T.)
Requester:		Hilda M. Fernandez			Organization:		Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust
Project Title:		Homeless Assessment Referral and Tracking (H.A.R.T.)			Date Submitted:		02/08/2001 10:07:11 AM
Sponsors:		Manuel Prieguez
Statewide Interest:		Reduces criminal justice intervention costs.
Recipient:		Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust			Contact:		Hilda M Fernandez
		111 N.W. 1st Street			Contact Phone:		(305) 375-1490
		Miami 33128
Counties:		Dade
Service Area:		Government Entity
Project Description:
This program provides pre-trial intervention for homeless, bondable offenders who would otherwise be incarcerated due to lack of a verifiable address. This program provides referral to appropriate housing and case management, and tracks clients' participation in assigned programs as required by the courts. The H.A.R.T. program supports the efforts of the existing Drug Court and Pre-Trial Diversion system. H.A.R.T. staff includes five social workers and one clinical social worker. Staff provides on-side (in-jail) eligibility assessment interviews, represents clients in court, arranges placement services, monitors compliance with requirements of conditional release, and report clients progress to courts. Additionally, they transport clients to court appointments and assist treatment case managers in developing service plans. This intervention program indentifies individuals who would benefit from treatment services and provides an alternative to incarceration. Reduced recidivism by program participants prevents subsequent criminal justice interaction that can be elevated to State level charges (requiring state prison). In addition to costs savings to the criminal justice system (court cost, public defenders, etc.) Cost savings are achieved from a reduction in individuals entering the State correction system, or State-Funded treatment services.
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
Increased community placements, reduced length of stay in correction facilities, increased completion of treatment services; reduced recidivism into criminal justice system.
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:						$500,000
Identify item(s) in the Appropriations Bill to be reduced:
Specific Appropriation #:			Ln#723A
Specific Appropriation Title:			Special Category/ Local Community Control Projects
Amount to be reduced:			$500,000
Fund Source:			Trust Fund
Total cost of the project:			$769,000
Request has been made to fund:				Operations
Type of funding match:		Local
	Total Cash Amount:		$269,000
Was this project previously funded by the State?							Yes
	Fiscal Year:		99-00		Amount:		$333,333
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?							Yes
	Amount:		$500,000
	Purpose for future year funding:					Recurring Operations
	Will this be an annual request?						Yes
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?							Yes
	Agency:		Corrections, Department Of
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?							Yes
Is there a documented need for this project?							Yes
	Documentation:		HART Program Report 2000
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?							Yes
	Hearing Body:		Board of County Commissioners; MD Delegation
	Meeting Date:		01/17/2001