FARMINGTON — A city grant program administrator hopes to join forces with a local homeless advocacy group to find applicants for $99,000 in federal grant money and to get public input for an upcoming five-year plan.

The city's Community Development Block Grant program, a regional component of a federal program the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development administers, is in the last stage of its five-year plan. Now, the program will have to develop a plan for the next five years. The 2014 plan is due in 18 months.

"It's the next big five-year document," said Jay Peterman, the city's grant program administrator.

On Thursday afternoon, Peterman approached members of the Four Corners Comprehensive Homeless Assistance Providers, a homeless advocacy group that includes members of law enforcement, social workers and homeless shelter staff. He had two goals in mind — spread word about the available funds and generate interest in the planning process.

The $99,000 comes from leftover federal funds from the grant program's 2012 allocation, Peterman said. There could be as much as $350,000 in funding for the 2013 allocation, but final word from HUD on whether those funds will be available has been delayed by debate over the federal budget.

Discussion at Thursday afternoon's meeting branched out when Farmington Police Chief Kyle Westall updated the group on a police grant application aimed at addressing the area's substance abuse issues.

"If we

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worked it right, we could probably save the city a lot of money in jail fees," Westall said. "We're going to try and seek a grant for a case worker."

That case worker could be an integral part in changing the way Farmington treats those suffering from mental illnesses and substance abuse problems, said Georgette Allen, a victim advocate with the police department.

"Having a case manager would help," Allen said. "We have to start small, but a (case manager) would help coordinate follow-up services."

For Peterman, attending Thursday's meeting was an eye-opening experience. He recently found out about the group's goals, which he said could be compatible with his grant program's rules and regulations.

"There can be synergy," Peterman said.

Greg Yee may be reached at gyee@daily-times.com; 505-564-4606. Follow him on Twitter @GYeeDT.