Title
District Attorney recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to execute Agreement 5316 with H.O.P.E: Health Outcomes for Personal Enrichment Counseling Center (HOPE) in the amount of $160,440 with an agreement term effective January 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022, to provide one full-time equivalent Psychotherapy Clinician to the District Attorney’s CalOES Child Abuse Treatment (AT) Program;
2) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 197-2020 amending the current Authorized Personnel Allocation Resolution for the District Attorney to add 1.0 FTE Victim Witness Program Specialist - Limited Term; and
3) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Fiscal Year 2020-2021 budget transfer increasing appropriations and revenue under the District Attorney’s General Fund for the CalOES (AT) grant award. (4/5 vote required)
FUNDING: California Governor's Office of Emergency Services Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Assistance Formula Grant Program (Formula Grant Program) funds.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
CalOES Child Abuse Treatment (AT) Program
On November 10, 2020, the Board approved the District Attorney’s acceptance of the CalOES Child Abuse Treatment (AT) Program in the amount of $321,875 for grant period January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021. The $321,875 award amount includes a $64,375 cash match requirement. This is the District Attorney’s first award under this grant Program. The purpose of the AT Program is to provide comprehensive psychotherapy services to children victimized by abuse and/or neglect.
The budgetary focus of this program is to fund one full-time equivalent Psychotherapy Clinician(s) through service agreement 5316 with HOPE Counseling using grant funds, in addition to funding a Limited-Term Victim Witness Program Specialist, per the pending approval of Resolution xxx-2020 updating the District Attorney’s Personnel Allocation. Additionally, the Program will allocate a District Attorney Investigator, a Deputy District Attorney, and a Program Coordinator on a part-time basis to meet the cash match requirement.
HOPE Agreement 5316:
Contract 5316 with HOPE Counseling will provide one full-time equivalent Psychotherapy Clinician(s) dedicated to meeting AT Program objectives. The agreement term will be effective January 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022. Compensation article III of the agreement establishes the billing service period being January 1, 2021- December 31, 2021, mirroring the AT Program grant cycle. The contractor shall only bill for services provided during the grant cycle period. The additional 6-month agreement term through June 30, 2022 is included as a grace period should the grant cycle be extended.
Contractor will provide the equivalent of 1.0 FTE Psychotherapy Clinician(s) to work specifically with child abuse victims and their families (secondary victims) by providing trauma-informed mental health services. The billing rate for therapy services is $75/hr, not exceeding $156,000 for the full grant cycle. Furthermore, the contractor may bill up to $3,000 for grant program related training costs and up to $1,440 for cell phone stipend (to cover up to two clinicians). All contractor costs will be directly funded by the grant award.
Limited-Term Victim Witness Program Specialist Request:
The District Attorney’s Victim Witness Unit plans to add one Limited-Term Victim Witness Program Specialist to commit to the AT Program. The Program Specialist will provide specialized direct advocacy services to victims of crime, including case management, criminal justice support, assistance with crime compensation benefits, counseling coordination, and referrals. The cost associated with the Program Specialist is approximately $68,690 and anticipated to be fully funded by the grant award.
ALTERNATIVES
Should the Board decline to approve the agreement and the position request, the District Attorney's Office will be unable to effectively meet the CalOES AT Program objectives servicing children victimized by abuse and/or neglect.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
Legistar 20-1402, November 10, 2020 - Board approved the acceptance of the CalOES Child Abuse Treatment (AT) Program for the January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021 grant period.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Human Resources
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost associated with the AT HOPE agreement and the AT Limited-Term Program Specialist request. Both will be completely funded by the CalOES grant award. The enclosed budget transfer accounts for the $275,500 increase in grant award revenue and corresponding appropriations under the District Attorney’s Department budget for FY 2020-2021.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Upon approval, Clerk of the Board to:
1) Obtain the Board Chair’s signature on two copies of Agreement 5316 with HOPE and return one certified copy to the Chief Administrative Office, Central Fiscal Unit, Attention: Justene Cline;
1) Return one certified copy of the personnel resolution to Katie Lee in Human Resources; and
2) Forward executed budget transfer to the Auditor Controller’s Office.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Safety
CONTACT
Vern Pierson