Title
District Attorney's Office recommending the Board:
1) Authorize the District Attorney to accept a grant from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the Victim Witness Assistance Program with a total project amount of $475,787 for the period of October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2025, based on the received Letter of Intent;
2) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 158-2024 designating the District Attorney, or his designee, as the Authorized Agent for the purposes of submitting, accepting, and executing award documents via the new CalOES Grants Central System;
3) Approve and authorize the District Attorney, and/or his designee, to electronically agree to and accept the Certification(s) of Assurance of Compliance; and
4) Authorize the District Attorney, and/or his designee, to electronically submit the grant application and execute the Grant Award Agreement and required documents, including any extensions or amendments thereof which would not increase net county cost, contingent upon review and approval by County Counsel.
FUNDING: California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Victims of Crime Act Fund.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The District Attorney's Office has operated the Victim Witness Assistance (VW) Program since 1980. The purpose of the VW Program is to provide comprehensive services to victims and witnesses of all types of violent crime. The advocates funded under this grant are required to provide the following services: crisis intervention, emergency assistance, resource referral and assistance, direct counseling and therapy, claim assistance, property return, orientation to the criminal justice system, court escort, presentations and training for criminal justice agencies, public presentations and publicity, case status/disposition, notification of family and friends, employer notification/intervention, and restitution.
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services grant programs funding typically run for multi-year cycles with annual renewals. During the first year, a Request for Proposal (RFP) is submitted. In the subsequent years, a Request for Application (RFA) is submitted based on the funding amount Cal OES has advised each agency is eligible to apply for. The District Attorney's Office is currently beginning the eighth year for this program's RFP cycle. For grant period October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025, the District Attorney's Office was advised funding may be requested for a total project cost up to $475,787.
With the grant award, the office plans to continue funding 3.0 FTE Victim Witness Program Specialist positions, 0.55 FTE Victim Witness Program Coordinator position to demonstrate a lead role, as well as 0.70 FTE Victim Witness Program Manager position. Operating expenses include, but are not limited to, memberships, travel, training, outreach/office supplies, minor equipment, vehicle maintenance/fuel, cell phones/phone lines, and facility lease. No new FTEs are being added. The grant is funding positions already allocated to the District Attorney's Office.
Similar to the prior grant awards, the FY 2024-25 project award includes funds to support Mass Victimization Advocate (MVA) initiatives. The funding for the MVA is to be dedicated to further the objectives of supporting response readiness to mass victimization/terrorism incidents, which includes, but is not limited to, duties such as strengthening a comprehensive crisis response plan and victim assistance crisis response protocols, continue engaging in mutual-aid memorandums of understanding with neighboring counties and within crisis response regions, conducting outreach, participating in community meetings, and maintaining a modified victim witness caseload. The following percentages of combined workload for each position category will be dedicated towards MVA-related tasks: 40% of the Victim Witness Program Specialists, 10% of the Victim Witness Program Coordinator, and 10% of the Program Manager.
As part of the RFA process, CalOES requests the acknowledged Certification(s) of Assurance of Compliance be included with the submitted application. For the purpose of this Board item, CalOES has provided a letter of intent to fund the program. Additionally, as of July 15, 2024, CalOES has implemented a new Grants Central System (GCS) for applicants to manage their grants. It is via this online portal that the grant application shall be submitted, along with certifications complying with assurances and proof of authority. The Certification of Assurance of Compliance includes details regarding Federal Grant Funds, Equal Employment Opportunity Program, Drug Free Workplace Compliance, California Environmental Quality Act, Lobbying, Debarment and Suspension requirements, Proof of Authority from the Governing Board, Civil Rights Compliance, and the special conditions of Subaward. The attached resolution is being requested for adoption by the Board Chair, designating the El Dorado County District Attorney, or his designee, the Authorized Agent role under the GCS, resulting in granted permissions consisting of initiating, submitting, and accepting the VW Program grant agreement and related documents for period October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2025, including any future grant amendments that do not increase Net County Cost, upon review and approval by County Counsel.
ALTERNATIVES
Should the Board decline to accept the grant, the County would be ineligible to participate in the program.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
06/27/2023 Legistar file 23-1165 - Board accepted Federal FY 2023-24 CalOES Victim Witness Assistance Program (VW) in the total project amount of $503,891 for the period of October 1, 2023 - September 30, 2024.
06/21/2022 Legistar file 22-1044 - Board accepted Federal FY 2022-23 CalOES Victim Witness Assistance Program (VW) in the total project amount of $501,982 for the period of October 1, 2022 - September 30, 2023.
06/08/2021 Legistar file 21-0873 - Board accepted Federal FY 2021-22 CalOES Victim Witness Assistance Program (VW) in the total project amount of $496,181 for the period of October 1, 2021 - September 30, 2022.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost for accepting this grant award. Of the total $475,787 project award, $52,675 is earmarked as a local match requirement. The grant proposal identifies using a portion of the salary and benefits of the Program Manager as the cash match. Adequate funding is included in the department’s FY 2024-25 Budget and no amendments are necessary.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Upon approval, Clerk of the Board to return one certified copy of the resolution to the CAO Central Fiscal Unit, Attn: Justene Cline.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Vern Pierson, District Attorney