AGENDA #5h

MEMORANDUM

TO: Mayor and Town Council

FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

SUBJECT: Status Report on Drug Elimination Grant

DATE: February 28, 2000

This memorandum responds to a request for information from a Council member at the January 31, 2000 meeting.

BACKGROUND

The Public Housing Drug Elimination Grant program, funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, began in 1991. The Town has continued to apply for the grant and has been awarded six grants to date. The grant awards are usually around $100,000; the amount is based on how much HUD offers in a given year for each unit of public housing. In 1997, the Town received $99,992 and in 1998, $100,500. This year the Town was awarded only $73,900, because the per unit amount was lower. Funds from the grants are used to continue existing drug elimination activities and develop new initiatives for residents.

DISCUSSION

The purpose of the Drug Elimination Grant program is to provide a comprehensive approach to reducing or eliminating drugs and drug-related crime in public housing communities. Activities of the Drug Elimination program have varied through the years and are determined by resident input and needs of the public housing communities.

The program has two major components, law enforcement/crime prevention and drug prevention activities. Areas of the program have included physical improvements to enhance security, employment of a police investigator, drug prevention programs and youth activities.

Drug prevention programs focus on factors that lead to drug abuse such as poverty, unemployment or lack of educational opportunities. The program includes collaborations with many local agencies such as the Orange-Person-Chatham Mental Health Center, the Dispute Settlement Center, the Orange County Literacy Council, the Women’s Center, the Department of Social Services, Chapel Hill Training Outreach and the Residents’ Council. Many of the programs developed for adult residents have been planned to assist in Work First or Welfare to Work requirements. These programs emphasize education and employment opportunities. Youth programs stress academic activities and structured cultural/recreational activities. Significant activities and successes of the program are outlined in the following sections. The list includes both completed activities and ongoing programs.

Crime Prevention/Law Enforcement

· Physical improvements to enhance security including the installation of security fencing at Trinity Court, Lindsay Street and Church Street communities

· Grant funds provide the salary for a Police investigator to investigate all criminal activity in public housing, track/analyze crime statistics, and provide information to Housing staff.

· Police department and Housing staff have collaborated to improve applicant screening for all prospective tenants in public housing.

· Funds for residents, Police and Housing staff to attend crime prevention training.

· Provided supplies for Police Crime Prevention activities for public housing.

Drug Prevention

· Employment of the Resident Services Coordinator to develop programs, provide individual drug abuse assessment and referral and assist Community Police officers with community activities.

· Funds for adult residents to attend Durham Technical Community College classes in General Education Development (GED) and Adult Basic Education classes. Provided child care for attendees. Five residents have graduated from the program.

· Development of Computer Literacy Labs in the Trinity Court and South Estes Drive communities in collaboration with the Orange County Literacy Council. The computer labs offer residents access to computers and trained tutors to assist them in developing both literacy and computer skills. Five new computers were purchased through grant funds. The Police department donated 10 used computers that were upgraded by students at East Chapel Hill High school. Since the program began in January of 1999, the tutoring program has served 19 residents.

· Funds from the grants provide scholarships for adults and youth to attend college. Last year, two high school seniors and three adult residents received scholarships.

· Provided conflict resolution training for 6 residents and 3 Housing staff through the Dispute Settlement Center.

· Provided stipends to 6 resident advisors who distribute information to other residents, assist in planning the Family Self-Sufficiency Program (ACHIEVE), and perform community outreach.

· Funded research project on resident concerns and suggestions on methods to address substance abuse problems within housing communities.

· Provided fees for programs by the Community Financial Counseling program of the Women's Center. These programs are open to all residents.

Youth Activities

· Provided drug intervention programs with Community Oriented Police officers such as summer basketball camps (35 participants), holiday events (last year 100 youth and 50 adults attended) and cultural activities.

· Collaborated with OPC Mental Health Center Intervention Specialist to develop a Kwanzaa program that focused on the importance of avoiding drugs, self-determination and cooperation. Thirty-one public housing youth participated.

· Co-sponsored Back-To-School programs with Community Police Officers, Crime Prevention Officer and school administrators. Included distribution of information and school supplies in all 13 housing communities.

· Provides academic incentive programs for youth that make the honor roll. Provided support for four of the eligible youth to attend a leadership-training institute this past summer in Charleston, South Carolina.

· Provide scholarships for youth that are admitted into college programs.

· Subsidized fees for youth to attend the summer camps sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department. Eighty-eight public housing youth pre-registered for camp this past summer.

· Provide support for the South Estes Drive Cub Scout troop jointly supervised by a Community Police Officer and a resident parent. Sixteen youth enrolled in the program. Provided funds for 12 youth to attend Scout Camp this past summer.