HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC RES 2017-28RESOLUTION NO. 2017- 28
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, PROCLAIMING SUPPORT
FOR THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH RESOURCE
PROGRAM (CORP) FOR EXPANSION IN THE COACHELLA
VALLEY REGION
WHEREAS, in an effort to utilize community policing strategies and address the
growing homeless population in the Coachella Valley, Indio Police Chief Richard Twiss
(Retired) called together representatives from various public and private agencies to
discuss the resources available in establishing a homeless court in November 2013; and
WHEREAS, members of the program committee included representatives from the
Indio Police Department Quality of Life Team, Riverside County Department of Public Social
Services, Riverside County District Attorney's Office, Riverside County Public Defender's
Office, Conflict Panel, Probation, Judges, and Commissioners for the Riverside Superior
Court, and Riverside University Health System -Behavioral Health; and
WHEREAS, the Community Outreach Resource Program (CORP) also includes
additional partner providers including the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, ABC Recovery
Center, Martha's Village and Kitchen, Mama's House, and Victory Outreach; and
WHEREAS, recognizing the stigma of the word "homeless" and the often negative
experiences of homeless persons in the justice system, the program was given the name of
Community Outreach Resource Program; and
WHEREAS, the CORP is designed to reward positive change and assist participants
with reentry into society by alleviating financial burdens and eliminating obstacles to future
job prospects; and
CORP:
WHEREAS, there are two ways in which a person can become a participant in
(1) By currently participating in a partner provider program and being referred by
their case manager; and
(2) Through an officer in the Palm Desert Police Department making contact in the
field, taking the time to explain CORP, and the person agreeing to begin
participation in one of the partner provider programs; and
WHEREAS, once the individual is actively participating in a partner program, their
case manager can submit an application on their behalf to the Public Defender's Office,
which application is then reviewed for any open cases or convicted matters with fines and
fees owed; and
WHEREAS, if the individual appears appropriate, their case is referred to the District
Attorney's Office for a background check; and
Resolution No. 2017- 28
WHEREAS, at a quarterly meeting, the individual's application is reviewed by all
members of the Committee to determine if they are ready for CORP through a series of
topics; and
WHEREAS, if the individual is accepted into CORP, their low-level misdemeanors
and infractions are dismissed, and qualifying fines and fees already owed for convicted
cases are forgiven; and
WHEREAS, since implemented, there have been 89 graduates of 91 participants
with 27 misdemeanors/infractions dismissed, equating to $234,830.08 in fines and fees
dismissed; and
WHEREAS, a research partnership was developed with Dr. Cody Telep, Assistant
Profession for the School of Criminology & Criminal Justice with Arizona State University, to
survey participants and determine and document the success of the program; and
WHEREAS, the CVAG Executive Committee would like to encourage its member
jurisdictions to participate and implement the CORP program in their cities; and
WHEREAS, CORP can be utilized by all residents of the Coachella Valley and can
include additional partner providers to assist individuals out of homeless ness that qualify
through the CORP stakeholder groups; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Palm
Desert, California, supports the CORP for expansion in the Coachella Valley and commits
to partnering with the program.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 23rd day of March, 2017, by the City
Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: JONATHAN, BELLY, NESTANDE, WEBER, and HARNIR
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ATTEST:
jRACHELLE
D. KLASSEN, CITY CLERK
CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA
G7
N C. HARNIK, MAYOR
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