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Council approves short-term funding and grant applications for LA Bridges intervention services
Summary
The council approved three items to continue funding LA Bridges gang-intervention and case-management services and to pursue Department of Justice grant funding, while noting the city controller's audit of the program remains incomplete.
The City Council unanimously approved three related items to continue funding the LA Bridges youth intervention program and to pursue additional federal grant funding.
Speakers from several lead agencies and contractors described how LA Bridges case managers provide intensive, wraparound services for at-risk youth, their families and schools. Multiple program staff and community providers told the council they need additional case-management positions to sustain partnerships with schools, courts and other service providers and to prevent staff burnout. Providers described work ranging from home visits and parenting classes to school coordination and referrals to substance-abuse treatment.
Councilmember Hernandez explained there are three funding elements in play: a previously awarded $200,000 grant that must be spent within the award period, an application opportunity (about $500,000) with a March 17 submission deadline that would fund additional case-management staff if secured, and short-term gang-intervention funding of roughly $27,000 per division that expires June 30. Hernandez said the controller's audit and evaluation of the program is not yet complete and the Administration had asked the department to preserve flexibility in how any newly awarded federal funds are used.
After public testimony from lead-agency directors and case managers, the council approved the three items on the roster by roll call (recorded as 11 ayes). Councilmembers said they support submitting the federal application to secure available funds and requested the Administration and controller's office coordinate so audit findings can be addressed once available.
