Item Description:
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Amds to two agmts with local providers to facilitate DWI one-day educational/cognitive workshops for individuals with first time offenses, ext end dates to 03/21/26, incr the combined NTE to $1,103,220
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that Amendments to the following agreements to provide DWI one-day educational workshops through the Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCCR), extending the contract end dates to March 31, 2026, and increasing the combined not to exceed amounts to $1,103,220 be approved:
• PR00004184 with Building Bridges, LLP, Amendment 1, increasing the not to exceed amount from $220,000 to $441,320.
• PR00004185 with Accurate Testing, Inc., Amendment 1, increasing the not to exceed amount from $345,500 to $661,900.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the department will manage the contract expenditures with this funding allocation; that the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the Amendments on behalf of the County; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse the funds as directed.
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Background:
The Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCCR) established the driving while intoxicated (DWI) one-day educational workshops in 2007 based upon recommendations from the Hennepin County Chemical Dependency (CD) Task Force, focused on individuals with first time DWI offenses with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of less than 0.16 percent. In May 2015, a DWI one--day program evaluation was conducted by DOCCR’s Policy, Planning and Evaluation unit which reported that conviction rates decreased by half over a two-year period when compared to utilizing traditional probation services.
The purpose of the educational workshops is to decrease recidivism among clients with first time DWI offenses. Clients with first time DWI offenses are required to participate in a one--day class which combines aspects of alcohol education, cognitive therapy, self-assessment, and a victim impact panel.
The selected providers responded to a Request for Proposal issued in January 2022. Proposals were evaluated by a panel of DOCCR Client and Community Restoration Division and contracting staff. Providers will facilitate the DWI one-day educational classes through virtual programming. Providing DWI one-day educational classes virtually has increased accessibility and removed transportation as a barrier to participation which aligns with Hennepin County’s disparity reduction efforts.
Program participants pay $135.00 for the workshop through court-imposed client fees, and DOCCR reimburses the vendors for each client who completes a class. The agreements mandate that client class fees are waived for up to thirty-two clients each year, who are deemed to be indigent.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval