CM Brooks-Powers presses OMB on JISH funding timeline and RFP status

So let me start first writ large about Rikers in terms of

Riker's closure and the borough-based jails projects and we're committed to those and we know there are various locations that are in progress in terms of the different sites.

At the same time, we made sure that we made investments in Riker's now in terms of maintenance.

So we invested in cell doors, for example, to make sure that they're workable and other maintenance that is required at the facilities.

With respect to justice-involved supportive housing,

As you noted, we have currently 120 units, and we hope to bring the city's total number to more than 350.

We know that the health department has updated an RFP for the new units, and we urge providers to be able to apply.

And so our goal is to basically

increase the number of units that are there.

And again, we encourage providers to apply.

With respect to DOC technology...

I'm sorry, Commissioner, before you move on, the question was when does the administration, because I know the administration has been

verbally supportive, but when does the administration plan to fund and bring the remaining 380 promised units online for the reimbursement rate, at the higher reimbursement rate?

Sure, we're going to stay close with the health department because that RFP is out there, and so we need to understand what the responses are and be able then to plot a plan forward based on those responses to say when will these contracts be in place and when we can move forward with funding.

So will the funding be included in this fiscal year budget?

At all?

It depends on what the outcome is with the health department and the RFP.

When is the RFP done to you?

The RFP is...

Patrick, do you know what it is?

The RFP was put out already last year.

When does it do that?

$4.8 million was funding.

I believe it's rolling, so you can apply as...

As the applications come in, you fill all the units and the dollars available.

So if it's rolling, it's into perpetuity, so there's no timeline in terms of the funding, and we're in the fiscal year right now.

Well, it's been, my understanding is in the past, there's been RFP on the street, but there haven't been responses.

So we need to basically find out how we can invite people.

And please, with your assistance and partnership, please get out the word using, of course,

your committee to basically say, look, we need providers to be able to respond to this RFP, and then we can get there faster.

I don't want to compare you to the last administration because, you know, this is a new administration.

So, again, if you're saying that the funding is going to be tied to the RFP, but the RFP does not have a deadline,

There's no commitment for the funding.

I'm trying to get an understanding as to when the administration plans to fund and bring the remaining 380 promise units online at a higher reimbursement rate.

So the funding was added in the baseline.

So the funding exists.

As the applicants come in and are awarded,

They will be awarded such till we reach the funding limit.

So the money is there, it's just a matter of when the RFP...

When applicants come in.

When they come in, then you'll release the funding.

Yes, when they sign a contract.

Thank you for that clarification.

Sorry, Director.

Technology.

No worries.

So the DOC technology, we're assessing the funding availability and the necessary upgrades.

We've been in conversations with DOC.

I think that during the executive plan, the department is able to self-fund a new project ID for visitation software for the request of $2.1 million.

So we're glad that that's going forward.

And we've also approved certificates to proceed for various technology projects, like the offender and jail management system to manage PICs from intake through discharge as well.

And then we also also have a new system for the

have a workday software platform which replaces the old agency legacy system for HR and payroll system.

So we're working with DOC on their technology needs.

We've made some improvements.

More to do.

And then the ATI funding, do you anticipate more money by the final budget?

We're happy to talk to you about that in the next few weeks as we look forward to the adopted budget.

Thank you, Chair.

Great.

Okay, so we have Councilmember Wong followed by Jay Sanchez.