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County health department to accept $245,337 Michigan State Police SCIP grant for mentoring program
Summary
The Finance Committee approved recommending the county accept a two-year $245,337 SCIP grant to fund Realism is Loyalty's intensive mentoring program targeting youth involved in or at risk of gun violence.
The Kent County Finance Committee recommended that the full Board of Commissioners accept and appropriate a $245,337 grant from the Michigan State Police under the State Crime Intervention Program (SCIP) to the county health fund.
The grant is a two-year award for 05/01/2025 through 03/31/2027 and will fund a partnership between the Kent County Health Department and community-based organization Realism is Loyalty to deliver an “Each 1 Teach 1” intensive mentoring program focused on youth at risk of involvement in gun violence. The health department presentation said funds will support the contractual agreement with Realism is Loyalty, staff oversight and indirect costs and authorize the board chair or designee to execute and amend the agreement up to 15% of the original award.
Program details presented: The health department described the program as combining intensive mentoring with mental-health services. Staff said each year the program will serve up to 17 youth and involve caregivers through parenting workshops, with a projected reach of roughly 34 youth over two years. Program participants will receive 6–9 hours per week of direct engagement with trained mentors, weekly group activities and a minimum of two hours of one-on-one mentoring therapy with a mental health clinician for a period of approximately 36 weeks.
Selection and referrals: Commissioner Stack asked how the partner was selected; the health department responded that the county selected Realism is Loyalty because the grant required a governmental applicant to partner with a local CBO with an existing program to reduce gun violence. Health department staff said they met Mr. Chapman at a community-safety meeting and were impressed with the program’s fit for the SCIP funding. Realism is Loyalty representatives said the program accepts open referrals from schools and community sources and serves families, not just the identified youth.
Measures and experience: Program representatives said intake and exit assessments are administered to measure changes in risk related to substance use, family dynamics and other factors; staff said prior program outcomes include increases in stability and reductions in risk-taking behavior. Commissioner Sparks voiced support based on the organization’s track record in the community.
Committee action: Commissioner Sparks moved and Commissioner Oliver King supported the recommendation to accept and appropriate the grant award. The motion passed on a voice vote.
