Staff recommends Council approve the agreement with the YWCA to provide funding for the establishment of the Northern Lights Family Justice Center.

In February 2023, the City began hosting an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer to serve for one year to research the funding and planning process of an FJC as well as network with community partner agencies and to evaluate community support for the concept. In June 2023, the City contracted with the Family Justice Center Alliance (“Alliance”) to assess community readiness for and assist in the development of an FJC to serve victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and their children. The Alliance provided a strategic planning report which included several recommendations to move forward with planning an FJC to serve Yellowstone County. 

The YWCA is housing an FJC in a vacant building on its campus and employs a full-time position to serve as coordinate the planning process for a FJC in partnership with the City. Council appropriated $200,000 for fiscal year 2024 from the crime prevention fund to launch the FJC. In December 2023, the City agreed to partner with YWCA for up to four years to provide funding assistance to hire a full-time position to coordinate the planning for an FJC in Billings. That agreement provided $55,000 annually to the YWCA.

If approved, the proposed agreement will replace the December 2023 agreement and will provide $200,000 in FY 2025 and FY 2026. In FY 2027, the contribution will be "not less than" the value of one (1) mill to the FJC.

Northern Lights will utilize a $200,000 investment from the City of Billings in the following ways:

1.  Personnel – YWCA will continue to employ Taya Keith as the Northern Lights Coordinator to coordinate the continued implementation and growth of the project. In addition, a full-time Services Navigator will be hired. The Services Navigator will be responsible for conducting intakes will all guests at Northern Lights to include collection of demographic data and victimization data, an evidence-based risk assessment, and an assessment of the guests level of hope. After intake, the Services Navigator will work with the guest to develop a personalized safety plan and service plan. The Services Navigator will serve as a liaison between the guest and the on- and off-site partners the guest receives services from.
    
2. Office expenses and occupancy supplies – A portion of the office and occupancy supplies for YWCA will be covered to accommodate on-site partners working in the building and the increase in guests using services in the building. This will be distributed based on FTE of people working in the building.
    
3. Outreach – Northern Lights will be hosting a soft-opening event in late summer/early fall to invite the community to tour and learn about the project. Printing of business cards and outreach brochures will be under this umbrella also.
    
4. Training – Funding will cover registration fees and travel expenses for five Northern Lights partners to attend the annual Alliance for HOPE Annual Conference. Additionally, it will cover costs for partners to be trained and certified to administer the Danger Assessment tool.
    
5. Equipment – Purchase of two computer set-ups. One for the Services Navigator and one for the Northern Lights soft interview room.
    
6. Direct client support and VOICES incentives – Funds will be available to provide assistance with basic needs for Northern Lights guests. Examples include cell phones/phone cards that abusers don’t have access to, transportation assistance (bus passes, Uber rides, gas cards), child care during court hearings or meetings with partner agencies, and other need related to safety. Also, there will continue to be small incentives for members of the VOICES committee to honor their volunteer commitment and participation in the project.
    
7. Indirect costs – A portion of the indirect costs of operation being paid by YWCA – for example, annual audit and tax return filing, insurance, administrative and bookkeeping support, internet and utilities, office space, and meeting space.

City Council may:

• Approve; or,
• Not Approve

$200,000 will be provided to the Northern Lights Family Justice Center in two distributions (1st Half in July and the second half in December) in FY 2025 and in FY 2026.  In FY 2027, the contribution will be "not less than" the value of one (1) mill to the FJC.  Currently, the value of a mill is $269,767.