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 (CalOES) for the Victim Witness Assistance Program with a total project amount of $477,424 for the period of October 1, 2025 - September 30, 2026, based on the received Letter of Intent;
2) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 127-2025 133-2025 designating the District Attorney, or his designee, as the program Authorized Agent for the purposes of submitting, accepting, and executing award documents through the CalOES Grants Central System;
3) Approve and authorize the District Attorney, or his designee, to electronically agree to and accept the program Certification(s) of Assurance of Compliance; and
4) Authorize the District Attorney, 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 (88%) and General Fund Match (12%).
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, California Victims Compensation Board (CalVCB) 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 District Attorney's Office is currently beginning the ninth year for this program's Request for Proposal (RFP) cycle. For grant period October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026, the District Attorney's Office was advised funding may be requested for a total project cost up to $477,424.
With the grant award, the office plans to fund 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.
As part of the current Request for Application (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 enclosed resolution is being requested for adoption by the Board Chair, designating the El Dorado County District Attorney, or his designee, the Authorized Agent role in GCS, resulting in permission to initiate, submit, and accept the VW Program grant agreement and related documents for period October 1, 2025 - September 30, 2026, including any future grant modifications/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
09/24/2024 Legistar file 24-1537 - Board accepted Federal FY 2024-25 CalOES Victim Witness Assistance Program (VW) in the total project amount of $475,787 for the period of October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2025.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost for accepting this grant award. Of the total $477,424 project award, $56,154 is earmarked as a local match requirement. The grant proposal identifies using a portion of the salary and benefits for all staff assigned as the cash match. Adequate funding is included in the department’s FY 2025-26 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