After months of waiting and analysis, millions in additional Jacksonville Journey funding likely will be decided this month.
It was one of Mayor Lenny Curry’s priorities for his first budget, pledging an additional $3 million for the crime prevention and intervention programs.
Although a library program and a study chipped away at it, $2.3 million remains.
Curry and his administration didn’t know where the money would best be spent, so they hired a Jacksonville-based advanced analytics firm for $150,000 in November to review the Journey programs. Twice weekly meetings followed.
Data on quality and quantity of resources for programs has been one focus, said Kerri Stewart, Curry’s chief of staff.
Pulling information from partner agencies that focus on neighborhoods, education, law enforcement and other areas and then making it all speak the same language for evaluation has been difficult, she added.
“We know good work is being done,” said Stewart of Journey programs.
However, raw data from an organization doesn’t always tell the complete story of how individuals are fully served.
Despite having more questions than answers, Stewart said NLP Logix’s work has been significant enough that the administration plans to make recommendations to the Journey Oversight Committee at its Jan. 28 meeting.
There is no draft report and recommendations haven’t been solidified, she said.
However, Stewart said some of the more helpful information to this point shows re-entry and at-risk youth programs could be in line for funding.
Which individual programs might receive money is too early to say, she said.
Current programs that could be in line for additional money would receive it after City Council approval. Any new programs would need to be bid out.
Journey analysis doesn’t end with the recommendations, though.
NLP Logix in February will continue to review the programs to find more efficient ways to measure successes.
Stewart said that will provide more clarity for future administrations — which is ensured to have Journey as part of its priorities.
Council on Tuesday approved adding new ordinance code to the city books that cemented the Journey initiative. It was just an executive order before.
“It’s a way to ensure that every youth intervention and crime prevention program has a place from administration to administration,” said Stewart.
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