Title
District Attorney recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Approve and authorize the acceptance of a grant award in the amount of $321,875 from the California's Governor's Office of Emergency Services for the Child Abuse Treatment (AT) Program for the period of January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021 based on the received Letter of Intent;
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Certification of Assurance of Compliance as authorized by the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Assistance Formula Grant Program; and
3) Authorize the District Attorney to execute the Grant Award Agreement and required documents, including any extensions or amendments thereof which do not increase the net county costs.
FUNDING: California Governor's Office of Emergency Services Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Assistance Formula Grant Program (Formula Grant Program) funds.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On October 5, 2020, the District Attorney's Office received notification from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal EOS) that they intend to fund the department for participation in the Child Abuse Treatment (AT) Program. This will be 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 focus of this program is to fund Psychotherapy Clinicians through a service contract with Hope Counseling using the grant award. Additionally the grant will fund a District Attorney Investigator, a Deputy District Attorney, and a Program Coordinator on a part-time basis to meet the cash match requirement.
The Objective of this Project is to enhance existing services for child victims of crime and/or child abuse and/or neglect. Psychotherapy services are expected to be provided by the most qualified clinicians who have applicable education and experience working with this population. Furthermore, the Program will drive towards having family therapy available for family members of abused/neglected children as part of the child’s treatment.
ALTERNATIVES
Should the Board decline to accept the funding, the County would be ineligible to participate in the program.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A - This is the initial request for Board approval under the CalOES Child Abuse Treatment (AT) Program.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approved as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost. The total project award of $321,875 includes a match requirement of $64,375. The grant proposal submitted identified using the salary and benefit costs from the part-time allocation of the assigned Deputy District Attorney, the District Attorney Investigator, and the Program Coordinator along with a portion of the Child Advocacy Center Fausel House facility lease rental cost to fulfill the match requirement. In the event the combination of these expenses is not sufficient to satisfy the match requirement, the County would be responsible for the difference. Staff will return to the Board with a budget transfer to increase revenues and appropriations.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk of the Board to obtain the Board Chair's signature on two Certification of Assurance of Compliance Violence Against Women Act forms and return one certified copy to the Chief Administrative Office, Central Fiscal Unit, Attention: Justene Cline.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Safety
CONTACT
Vern Pierson, District Attorney