Item 5 - DACC Service_Data Overview_Community News — original pdf

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Downtown Austin Community Court Advisory Board DACC Service and Data Overview Board Packet – May 16, 2025 Community Services  Community Services Program (CS) – Participants fulfill community service hour requirements through public space cleaning, beautification projects, graffiti abatement, and working at DACC’s Edgar Fincher III Program Garden, which donates all food and eggs to local providers who feed the homeless community. o Number of Community Services Requests Completed  FY 2025 (Oct. 2024-Apr. 2025): 443*  FY 2024 (Oct. 2023- Apr. 2024): 627 o Acreage of Work Completed  FY 2025 (Oct. 2024- Apr. 2025): 13.36*  FY 2024 (Oct. 2023- Apr. 2024): 18.9 o *These are missing information regarding work completed from February 1, 2025-February 10-2025, stemming from technical issues from system updates around these measures. While data during this time period cannot be retrieved, issues have been corrected to ensure data will be accurate moving forward.  Violet KeepSafe Storage Program (VKS) – Free storage located downtown with secure bins to store vital documents, family memories, clothing, bedding, and more. Operates 7:00am- 11:00am and 1:00pm-7:00pm, seven days a week. Program employs people with lived experience to improve service experience and create workforce opportunities. o Number of Active VKS Participants  FY 2025 (Oct. 2024- Apr. 2025): 461  FY 2024 (Oct. 2023- Apr. 2024): 492 o Number of Interactions with VKS Participants  FY 2025 (Oct. 2024- Apr. 2025): 17,620  FY 2024 (Oct. 2023- Apr. 2024): 14,330 Court Services  Problem-solving court – Fine-only court with emphasis on alternative resolutions, and provides an immediate connection to onsite case managers, basic needs, and social service resources. DACC resolves Class C criminal offenses in catchment area, and Proposition B and State camping ban cases citywide. o Number of Cases Filed  FY 2025 (Oct. 2024- Apr. 2025): 1,821  FY 2024 (Oct. 2023- Apr. 2024): 1,395 o Number of Cases Docketed  FY 2025 (Oct. 2024- Apr. 2025): 4,766  FY 2024 (Oct. 2023- Apr. 2024): 3,026  Clinical Diversion Program (CDP) – Dedicated case managers serve people engaging in Court Services to improve connection to case management and social services, while also improving appearance and case completion rates. o Number of CDP Clients:  FY 2025 (Oct. 2024- Apr. 2025): 210  FY 2024 (Oct. 2023- Apr. 2024): 147 o Number of Cases Resolved through Participation in CDP:  FY 2025 (Oct. 2024- Apr. 2025): 289  FY 2024 (Oct. 2023- Apr. 2024): 246  DACC Mobile Court – This program, initiated by Council Resolution 20230816-016, is intended to connect people in the community with solutions for resolving cases while providing immediate connection to services and resource navigation through case managers onsite. o Warrants Cleared during Mobile Court:  FY 2025 (Oct. 2024- Apr. 2025): 65  FY 2024 (Oct. 2023- Apr. 2024): 60 o Cases Docketed during Mobile Court:  FY 2025 (Oct. 2024- Apr. 2025): 87  FY 2024 (Oct. 2023- Apr. 2024): 84 Homeless Services  Walk-in Case Management – Provides assistance obtaining identification documents and signing up for public benefits, access to basic needs, and linkages to mental health, physical health, and substance misuse services. o Number of Walk-in Case Management Interactions  FY 2025 (Oct. 2024- Apr. 2025): 9,940  FY 2024 (Oct. 2023- Apr. 2024): 10,260 o Average Daily Walk-in Case Management Interactions  FY 2025 (Oct. 2024- Apr. 2025): 69.51  FY 2024 (Oct. 2023- Apr. 2024): 71.76  Intensive Case Management – Person-centered, housing-focused services with low caseloads and wrap around supports. DACC’s Intensive Case Management and Walk-in Case Management programs both serve as a diversion from criminal justice involvement by meeting people’s needs before situations escalate to involve law enforcement. o Number of Clients Connected to Housing  FY 2025 (Oct. 2024- Apr. 2025): 27*  *Includes 10 people housed through ESG RRH Program  FY 2024 (Oct. 2023- Apr. 2024): 32*  *Includes 4 people housed through ESG RRH Program Support Services - Responsible for special projects and support for all DACC units, administration for the department, internal and external communications, community engagement, support for the DACC Advisory Board and the Austin Homelessness Advisory Council, and social service contracting.  DACC-funded social service contracts –Long- and short-term housing solutions, SOAR application assistance and representative payee services, and substance misuse, mental health, and peer support services for clients served directly by DACC. Also includes contracts that serve the Austin Community such as the Expanded Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (EMCOT) and funding six Integral Care mental health and peer support staff that serve on the Homeless Outreach Street Team (HOST). o Number of Social Service Contract Payments Processed  FY 2025 (Oct. 2024- Apr. 2025): 81  FY 2024 (Oct. 2023- Apr. 2024): 68 o Amount of Social Service Contract Payments Processed  FY 2025 (Oct. 2024- Apr. 2025): $ 3,431,311  FY 2024 (Oct. 2023- Apr. 2024): $ 2,880,968  Austin Homelessness Advisory Council (AHAC) – Approximately 15 people with lived experience meet biweekly to provide input on policies, programs, and practices impacting people experiencing homelessness. DACC provides facilitative and administrative support to ensure AHAC can continue to serve as a vital and ongoing resource for City departments and the community. o Hours of Input Gathered from Austin Homelessness Advisory Council Members  FY 2025 (Oct. 2024- Apr. 2025): 281  FY 2024 (Oct. 2023- Apr. 2024): 311 COMMUNITY COURT NEWS A newsletter brought to you by DACC’s Communications Team Top stories in this newsletter JAN. - MAR. 2025 It’s My Park Day Kansas City Missouri Site Visit Council Visits to DACC Leading with Compassion Community Service Crews Help with It’s My Park Day DACC’s Community Service Crew picked up brush from 11 locations for the Spring 2025 It’s My Park Day. Community volunteers cleaned up the locations and DACC’s crew came behind them and removed all the brush piles that were created over March 1st and 2nd. There were several tons of brush removed and taken to Hornsby Bend to be recycled. All crew participants. leaders participated with Community Service Parks services include: House Park Skatepark, Cherrywood Pocket Park, Georgian Acres Neighborhood Park, Beverly S. Sheffield Northwest District Park, Perry Neighborhood Park, Buttermilk Branch Greenbelt, Brentwood Park, PEAS Cunningham School Farm, Armadillo Neighborhood Park, Ponciana Park and Reed Park. DACC Advisory Board Budget Recommendations The DACC Advisory Board is a Council-appointed body of community volunteers tasked to, “advise the Downtown Austin Community Court on policy and operational issues and advise City Council about the operations and policies of the court.” During their meeting on March 28, they passed the following budget recommendations: Recommendation 20250328-004A – DACC Budget Recommendation: In previous years, the Board recommended an array of program enhancements. “Keeping in mind the anticipated limitations the City faces in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget process, and the urgency of top need for DACC, the DACC Advisory Board is focusing budget recommendations this year on one item to continue a critical grant-funded rapid rehousing and case management program that’s at risk of ending without investments from the City.” This recommendation to continue programmatic funding for the currently ARPA-funded RRH program has been sent to City Council. Recommendation 20250328-004B – Community Program Budget Recommendation: The Board passed a separate, secondary recommendation highlighting the need for funding for two community programs whose contracts are managed by DACC, including the continuation of 24/7 operations for the Expanded Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (EMCOT) field response operations and continuation of funding for the second year of the Therapeutic Diversion Program component of the Mental Health Diversion Pilot. This recommendation noted that the highest priority is Recommendation 20250328-004A for DACC’s grant-funded RRH program, but also highlighted the importance of continuing these programs for the broader community. Kansas City Missouri Site Visit DACC was grateful to host a group from the City of Kansas City Missouri for a two and a half day site visit, covering a broad array of topics such as DACC Court and Mobile Court services, Community Services, Homeless Services, Support Services, community engagement and partnership development, and client behavior plans, as well as sessions with staff from the Homeless Strategy Office and Austin Police Department. Visitors included staff from the City of Kansas City Municipal Court, Kansas City Police Department, and their Office of Unhoused Solutions. DACC welcomes opportunities to continue to share best practices as a Criminal Justice Mental Health Learning Site . Council Visits to DACC Council Harper-Madison and her team came to tour DACC and another facility in partnership with the Homeless Strategy Office. DACC had the opportunity to share about our operations overall, as well as progress around DACC’s Mobile Court Program, which CM Harper-Madison helped to create and then fund for implementation with actions she sponsored over the last two budget cycles. Council Member Laine and her team visited DACC to get an overview of our services and tour the facility, with additional discussions around how DACC can help connect constituents in her district to services through Mobile Court and sharing information about DACC’s walk-in services, available for anyone experiencing homelessness in the community. Leading with Compassion So Yong Kim presented to DACC’s leadership team on compassion. Key takeaways include: • Compassion is an, “emotional response to another’s struggles that involves and authentic desire to help.” Compassion = empathy + action • Benefits of compassion:  Receivers of compassion have less burnout, their brans respond more positively to leaders who show compassion, and compassionate work cultures lead to lower exhaustions and absenteeism  Givers of compassion have lower risk of cardiovascular disease, maintain vitality and cognitive function, experience pain relieving effects, and have more professional success • Ways to grow compassion skills:  Start small – giving 40 seconds of compassion can lower another person’s anxiety  Be thankful – gratitude makes us more other-focused and motivates us to serve others  Be purposeful – ask the right questions. “What can I do to be helpful” rather than yes/no questions such as, “Do you need help?”  Find common ground – show compassion to colleagues outside of immediate social circle  See it – Celebrate compassion in your organization Thanks to So Yong Kim for bring a research-based perspective around compassion, with attainable workplace examples of how we can all build upon compassion to benefit ourselves and everyone around us! City Council Action During Q2, we’ve taken the following two items for City Council consideration, both of which were approved: • Bridge Housing Services: On February 13, 2025, Council approved Item 20250214-004 to authorize an agreement with The Other Ones Foundation for bridge housing services. DACC clients have had access to bridge housing the previous 3 years, which had been funded through one-time funds. With the additional resources added in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget process, DACC was able to conduct a competitive solicitation process to continue bridge housing services on an ongoing basis. Thanks to Edna Staniszewski and Chris Anderson for leading us through another successful solicitation process to ensure access to these services continue for our clients! • Expanded Mobile interventions Crisis Outreach Team (EMCOT) Expansion: EMCOT works with City of Austin first responders to divert jail bookings and emergency department (ED) admissions, provide short-term community-based to stabilize a person in a psychiatric crisis, and link these individuals to Integral Care services or other appropriate care in the community. On March 6, 2025, Council approved Item 20250306-004 to expand the EMCOT Field Team to 24/7 operations after Council approved Council Amendment Alter-5 during the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget process. This agreement is funded through one-time funding; continuation of 24/7 field operations will be contingent on resources allocated during the upcoming FY 2025-26 budget process. In Remembrance Gregory Williams – Founding AHAC Member - It’s with great sadness that we’re sharing that one of our founding AHAC Members, Gregory Williams, passed away on February 26, 2025. Greg had a deep passion for helping people who were unhoused, as well as those who had involvement with the criminal justice system. He believed everyone deserved compassion, dignity, and a helping hand and went above and beyond to show this directly in his work on AHAC and in the help he gave others he engaged with in the community. He focused on ensuring people had connections to critical resources to help them end their experience with homelessness, as well as sharing his own journey with people to instill hope in those who needed it most. Greg’s honesty, warmth, sense of purpose and deep laugh will be greatly missed. There is no doubt that the immense, positive impact he had helping people through AHAC and directly in the community will continue to be felt for many years to come. Paul Chavis – Previous Violet KeepSafe Storage Employee – We are deeply sorrowful to announce that former longtime Violet KeepSafe Storage (VKS) employee Paul Chavis died in February 2025 at his home here in Austin. Paul worked at VKS for almost three years and was a one-of-a-kind individual. Paul was genuinely hilarious and brought levity and wit to a challenging work environment. He was a strong advocate for himself, his colleagues, individuals experiencing homelessness, and the community at large. While at VKS, Paul’s presence commanded attention and the enormous amount of effort he invested into serving those that came to VKS was nothing short of admirable. He was a great colleague, and a good and decent man that showed his tenderness through his special love for his dog Coco. Paul will be deeply missed by his DACC and VKS colleagues as well as our community of program participants at VKS. Success Stories technology conference hosted by DACC Representation Shines at CTM Conference : On February 4, 2025, Bailey Gray gave a presentation at a the citywide Communications & Technology Manage. Following the conference, CTM staff reached out to DACC leadership with this glowing feedback about Bailey’s presentation and how well it was received by attendees: “I wanted to let you know that Bailey’s presentation was commendable yesterday. She did a wonderful job of reminding the IT department that it is not the technology that is important and that the important part is the people that we help. I am not exaggerating at all when I say that her presentation was so powerful that the CIO was teared up, and I have been contacted multiple times by people who were impacted by the presentation. If she was a CTM employee I would be putting her in today for an on-the-spot award that would without a doubt be approved for 2 hours of ARL from the department. I don’t know if your group has something similar, but I wanted you to be aware of the impact she had, along with the praise your department is receiving from CTM.” Thank you, Bailey Gray, for representing DACC well and helping other departments understand the importance in technology of centering the people innovations! impacted Starside Starside Security Officer Goes Above and Beyond to Help DACC Client: Security Officer Iverson went above and beyond to make DACC a place where clients want to come to receive Services. Officer Iverson, who besides being a wonderful member of the DACC security team, is also a barber. At Officer Iverson’s request to Operations Manager Chris Anderson, she gave one of DACC clients a fresh haircut. The client was beyond thrilled and grateful for the generosity of Officer Iverson. This act of service and generosity sparked a conversation and has led the DACC Management team to begin exploring additional opportunities to provide haircuts in house on a regular basis for our clients. Homeless Services Reunites Client with Out-of-State Family: An individual traveled to Austin as he often travels for door-to-door sales. Something happened with the friend he traveled with. He was referred to DACC by an APD officer after he got stranded in Austin and lost all his belongings on one of his first nights. This was individual was referred to DACC by an APD officer, after becoming stranded in Austin and losing all of his belongings. After speaking with Chris Anderson and Laura Torres, Jennifer O’Bannon and another member of the Homeless Outreach Street Team picked him at a north Austin Starbucks, which had helped make the connection by allowing use of their phone. Jennifer spoke with his mother and confirmed he had a place to stay in North Carolina if we were able to get him back. Jennifer transported him back to OTC , purchased the Greyhound ticket, and provided a ride to the transit center. He was so grateful and surprised DACC was able to provide this assistance and so quickly, and has now been successfully reunified with his mother . Message from the Court Administrator As we welcome the season of spring, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the spirit of renewal, growth, and fresh beginnings — both in the world around us and in the work we do every day at DACC. Spring reminds us that change is not only possible but natural. Every day at DACC, we witness the seeds of change take root in the lives of the people we serve. Whether it’s helping someone find stable housing, access healthcare, reconnect with their community, or navigate the next step in their journey, our work fosters hope and second chances. Just like the season itself, we are here to encourage new starts and brighter futures. Thank you for the compassion, resilience, and dedication you bring to our mission. Your efforts make it possible for individuals to grow beyond their current circumstances and into the possibilities ahead. Let’s carry the energy of spring with us — nurturing change, celebrating progress, and continuing to plant the seeds of hope in our community. Wishing you all a season full of growth and inspiration! Homeless Services: • Walk-In Case Management Interactions: 8,095 • Average Daily Walk-in Case Management Interactions: 66.9 • Clients Connected to Housing: 21 Support Services: • Social Service Contract Payments Processed: 78 • Social Service Contract Payments Processed: $3,229,827 • Hours of Input Gathered from Austin Homelessness Advisory Council Members: 241 DACC by the Numbers DACC’s Numbers This section is intended to show a small snapshot of the great work being done across our department. We’ll continue to update the information shared here as DACC’s data practices are enhanced through the Data Maximization Project. All the numbers below are fiscal year to date. Community Services: • Community Services Requests Completed: 386 • Acreage of Work Completed: 13.15 • Violet KeepSafe Storage (VKS) Participants: 434 Interactions with VKS Participants: 14,560 • • Average Daily VKS Interactions: 15.05 Court Services: • Cases Filed: 1,494 • Cases Docketed: 3,746 • Clinical Diversion Program (CDP) Clients: 165 • Cases dismissed through participation in CDP: 246 • Court case checks during Mobile Court: 431 • Cases docketed during Mobile Court: 47 • Warrants cleared during Mobile Court: 64 Employee of the Quarter Ony’ea Davenport is DACC’s Q2 Employee of the Quarter. Ony’ea was nominated under the Diversity and Inclusion PRIDE Value. Her nomination is below, please congratulate her and thank her for positive impact for our clients and team alike! Ony'ea is the epitome of a ray of sunshine. Her presence, and knowledge and enthusiasm, are infectious and reverberate throughout the building as inspiration for others to step up and seize the day. Ony'ea consistently demonstrates how leadership is incremental and inclusive, and how even a seemingly small TEAMS message is so much more in the greater scheme of things. To say we are grateful to have Ony'ea at DACC is an understatement. Staff Updates New Staff & Promotions: • Judge Randy Ortega, a native of Austin, performs magistrate duties for Travis County as well as judicial duties at Austin Municipal Court and Downtown Austin Community Court ("DACC"). Previously, Judge Ortega spent 18 years in the criminal court system, with felony, misdemeanor, mental health, juvenile, Child Welfare, administrative law, and miscellaneous civil case experience derived in South and Central Texas, most recently with the City of Austin Law Department 2015-2022 with a focus at DACC, and the Travis County District Attorney's Office 2022-2024. Prior to his judicial appointment, Judge Ortega previously served on the 2024 Charter Review Commission and the Travis County Behavioral Health and Criminal Justice Advisory Committee. Committed to equity and justice, Judge Ortega views the law as a tool to bring about a new chapter for those who need a fresh start. Judge Ortega is thankful for the staff and case management team at DACC who help make that vision a reality for so many people in our community who have special needs and challenges. • Allison Gardner joined DACC as Court Operations Supervisor on March 25th, 2025. Allison celebrates 15 years with the City of Austin, bringing all of her experience to DACC from Austin Municipal Court Operations, having served as a Court Clerk Assistant, Court Clerk Lead, and Court Operations Supervisor in multiple operational units including Customer Service, Central Booking Support, Magistrate Support, Warrants Processing, Caseflow Management, and Courtroom Support Operations. Allison grew up in the San Antonio-Austin corridor and has been a resident of Austin since 2002. Allison focuses on continuing her education in her free time. She is eager to learn her new role, learn about the entire DACC team, learn firsthand how DACC serves our community through individual case management, and strive to support Community Court operations with a collaborative and constructive spirit. Joshua Smith joined DACC as an IT Support Specialist on February 24th. He has his Bachelor in Cybersecurity from the University at Albany. Joshua transferred from Austin Communications and Technology Management department where he was also working as a support specialist. He is very excited to be here and feels fortunate to have ended up with such an incredible group people. • • Nick D'Agostino joined DACC as a Social Work Intern this January. Nick earned his Bachelors degree from Colby College and will graduate with a Masters of Science in Social Work from UT this spring. Prior to joining DACC, Nick worked in a number of different school-based roles, from English tutor to career counselor. Nick is grateful for the chance to learn more about homeless services in Austin and support the DACC team. • Robin Campos rejoined City of Austin on January 21, 2025 as a temporary Court Clerk Assistant in Community Court Operations. Robin most recently retired from Austin Municipal Court on June 30, 2024, after 23 years of service which began on June 11, 2001. Robin enjoys spending time with her four grandkids, ages 9, 8, 3 and 1! When Robin isn’t providing support to Community Court Operations she especially loves travelling with her husband and following Texas Rangers, Dallas Cowboys, and Texas Longhorns sports teams Staff Departures: None Years of Service Joe Chavez celebrates 15 years of service Kimberly Lauriston celebrates 5 years of service Reminders Nominate a colleague for Employee of the Quarter - Please take a moment and recognize one of your colleagues for the standout job they are doing by submitting your nomination for Employee of the Quarter. By recommendation from the Celebrations and Activities Committee, nominations for EOQ will now be open year-round, and your nomination will be included in the voting process of the quarter in which it was submitted. The link for the nomination form is available at: https://forms.office.com/g/5RmWWfSZLV Opportunities for Input Suggest an activity - The Celebrations and Activities Committee is planning our quarterly DACC team activities and other events. Please feel free to send to Robert Kingham. for group activities any ideas you have Submit topics for staff email updates and/or annual report • Staff email updates – We want staff across all DACC Units to know about the good and significant work happening across our department. If you have significant program changes or any small or big success stories, please send them to Laura Williamson to be included in these email updates • Annual Report – We’re looking to expand and redesign how we report about our work annually. There’s flexibility on both format and content. Laura Williamson is working on meeting with all the units to share more about these efforts; please send any formatting or subject ideas you have directly to her. This report is something we can share with all stakeholders to educate about and celebrate DACC’s work. Upcoming Events Quarterly DACC Midday Mixer • What: Quarterly staff gathering, please plan to attend in person. • When: Tuesday, July 15th, 1:30p-2:30p • Where: DACC Training Room • 2024 City Holidays: • Memorial Day - Monday, May 26 Juneteenth - Thursday, June 19 • Independence Day - Friday July 4 Labor Day - Monday, September 1 • • Veterans Day - Tuesday, November 11 • Thanksgiving Day - Thursday, November 27 • Thanksgiving Friday - Friday, November 28 • Christmas Eve - Wednesday, December 24 • Christmas Day - Thursday, December 25 Empowering people to thrive by providing impartial justice and compassionate community-based services