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Adopt a resolution accepting a grant award from the California Highway Patrol, Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program in the amount of $145,199 to create an educational campaign directed toward high school students, for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025; Authorize the District Attorney, with County Counsel concurrence, to sign and submit all grant documents, including, but not limited to applications, agreements, amendments, and payment requests, which may be necessary for the completion of the grant scope within the current award amount; and Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request increasing State Grant Revenue offset by grant related expenditures in the amount of $145,199 (4/5 vote required)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ___ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ___ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The District Attorney’s Office recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1) Adopt a resolution accepting a grant award from the California Highway Patrol, Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program in the amount of $145,199 to create an educational campaign directed toward high school students, for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025;
2) Authorize the District Attorney, with County Counsel concurrence, to sign and submit all grant documents, including, but not limited to applications, agreements, amendments, and payment requests, which may be necessary for the completion of the grant scope within the current award amount; and
3) Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request increasing State Grant Revenue offset by grant related expenditures in the amount of $145,199. (4/5 vote required)
SUMMARY:
The Solano County Office of the District Attorney (DA), has received a California Highway Patrol, Cannabis Tax Grant Fund Program (CHP) grant award in the amount of $145,199 to create an educational campaign directed toward high school students that increases knowledge and awareness of the inherent dangerousness of the consumption of controlled substances which are contributing factors to impaired driving.
This project focuses on the creation of an outreach program in Solano County high schools where the department coordinates and facilitates in-school assemblies, accompanying social media and online education, and access to increased information about impaired driving, illegal and legal controlled substances and the fentanyl epidemic targeting today’s youth.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Acceptance of the grant award has no General Fund cost. The $145,199 grant award will be utilized to develop the content and messaging for the school assemblies, the creation of a videos for use in the assemblies and social media, and educational materials reminding students of the dangers of driving while impaired. An Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) is required to recognize the grant revenue offset by the grant expenditures.
DISCUSSION:
Death and injury due to substance abuse and impaired driving is both tragic and preventable. Solano County is actively working to increase awareness in order to reduce the number of deaths caused by impaired driving, substance abuse, and the unknowing consumption of fentanyl. Fentanyl is the leading cause of death in this country for young people and so the Solano County District Attorney’s Office is engaged in a cooperative effort with justice partners and the schools to increase education about this dangerous behavior.
The CHP partners with local agencies of the state to address California’s highway safety needs using California Cannabis Tax Grant program funds. On June 6, 2024, the DA received notification that the Bureau of Forensic Services (BFS) received a $145,199 California Cannabis Tax grant award administered by the CHP to create an educational campaign directed toward high school students that increases knowledge and awareness of the inherent dangerousness of the consumption of controlled substances which are contributing factors to impaired driving.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose to not accept this grant. This is not recommended as this funding will allow the District Attorney’s Office to promote awareness of the dangers of impaired driving to high school students.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION