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District Attorney's Office recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Make findings that it is appropriate to engage an independent contractor to provide advocacy services, as Agreement 7881 requires specialty skills and qualifications not expressly identified in County classifications in accordance with County ordinance code 3.13.030(b);
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to execute Amendment II to Agreement 7881 with The Center for Violence-Free Relationships for advocacy services, increasing the amount by $79,864 to $239,592 and extending the agreement term one year, through December 31, 2026; and
3) Approve and authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute any future amendments to Agreement 7881, which do not increase the amount or the term of the agreement, contingent upon County Counsel and Risk Management approval.
FUNDING: Services Training Officers Prosecutors Violence Against Women Formula. (100%)
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The District Attorney’s office has had an Agreement with The Center for Violence-Free Relationships (The Center) for victim advocacy services since 2018. Associated funding for Agreement 7881 is provided by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) through the Violence Against Women Vertical Prosecution (VV) Program.
Agreement 7881 was originally executed in October 2023, with Legistar file 23-1820, for victim advocacy services beginning January 1, 2024. Amendment I was approved by the Board on November 12, 2024, with Legistar file 24-1376, to increase the amount by $159,728 and extend the agreement term one year, through December 31, 2025.
On November 4, 2025, with Legistar file 25-1809, the Board approved the District Attorney to accept VV Program funding in the total project cost of $270,060 for the period of January 1, 2026-December 31, 2026. As a direct result of continued program funding, proposed Amendment II to service Agreement 7881 with The Center shall extend the existing advocacy services another year through December 31, 2026, and increase the amount by $79,864, for an updated total agreement amount of $239,592, to cover services provided through the extended grant period.
ALTERNATIVES
Should the Board decline to execute Amendment II to Agreement 7881, the County would need to look at alternative options for victim advocacy services as required under the VV Program.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
11/04/2025 Legistar file 25-1809: Board approved the District Attorney to accept the VV Program funding in the project cost of $270,060 for the period of January 1, 2026-December 31, 2026.
11/12/2024 Legistar file 24-1376: Board approved the District Attorney to accept the VV Program funding in the project cost of $270,060 for period January 1, 2025-December 31, 2025, executes associated Limited-Term Deputy District Attorney extension, and executed Amendment I to Agreement 7881 with The Center for continued Victim Advocacy services.
10/24/2023 Legistar file 23-1820: Board approved the District Attorney to accept the VV Program funding in the project cost of $270,060 and executed agreement 7881 with The Center.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Procurement and Contracts, County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost. Adequate funding and expenses are included in the department’s FY 2025-26 Budget and will be included in the department’s FY 2026-27 Budget, as applicable.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Upon approval, Clerk of the Board to return one certified copy of the fully executed Amendment II to Agreement 7881 to the CAO Central Fiscal Unit, Attn: Kelley Lawrie.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Vern Pierson, District Attorney