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District Attorney recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Approve and authorize the acceptance of a grant award in the amount of $270,060 from the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services for the Violence Against Women Vertical Prosecution (VV) 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 Services*Training*Officers*Prosecutors Formula Grant Program as authorized by the Violence Against Women Act; 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 net county cost.
FUNDING: California Governor's Office of Emergency Services Violence Against Women Act Services*Training*Officers*Prosecutors Formula Grant Program Funds.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On October 13, 2020, the District Attorney's Office received notification from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) that they intend to fund a third year of the Violence Against Women Vertical Prosecution (VV) Program. The purpose of this program is to vertically prosecute violent crimes against the vulnerable adult population.
The primary focus of this program is to continue funding one Deputy District Attorney (limited-term), one Victim Advocate through a contract with the Center for Violence-Free Relationships using the grant award, and a District Attorney Investigator on a part-time basis to meet the cash match requirement.
The objective of this project is to improve the prosecution of Violent Crimes Against Vulnerable Adult Victims by creating a project team with a reduced caseload that can expeditiously conclude cases, reduce victim trauma, and enhance our services to victims.
ALTERNATIVES
Should the Board decline to accept the funding, the County would be ineligible to participate in the program.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
Legistar 20-0724, June 9, 2020 - Board approved extension of service agreement 3370 with the Center for Violence-Free Relationships due to the District Attorney’s Office receiving notice from CalOES that they intend to extend the (VV) grant through December 31, 2020.
Legistar 19-0836, June 4, 2019 - Board approved the acceptance of Federal FY 2019-20 Cal OES Violence Against Women Vertical Prosecution Program (VV) in the amount of $270,060 for the period of July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost. Funding is included in the FY 2020-21 Budget. The total project award of $270,060 carries with it a match burden of $67,515. The grant proposal submitted identified using a portion of the Deputy District Attorney’s salary, the District Attorney Investigator's salary and benefits applicable to the program, and cell phone service cost to fulfill the match requirement. In the event the combination of these expenses is not sufficient to fulfill the match requirement, the County would be responsible for the difference.
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