Title
District Attorney's Office recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Authorize the District Attorney to accept a grant from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) for the Violence Against Women Vertical Prosecution Program with a total project cost of $270,060, for the period of January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027;
2) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 153-2026, designating the District Attorney, or his designee, as the Authorized Agent for the purposes of submitting, accepting, and executing award documents via the CalOES Grants Central System;
3) Approve and authorize the District Attorney, and/or his designee, to electronically agree to and accept the associated grant 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 that do not increase Net County Cost, contingent upon review and approval by County Counsel.
FUNDING: Services Training Officers Prosecutors Violence Against Women Formula (75%) and General Fund (25%).
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On August 21, 2023, the District Attorney’s Office received notification from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) that it had been selected to receive funding for the Violence Against Women Vertical Prosecution (VV) Program for a one-year term, with eligibility for non-competitive renewal for up to four additional years (Legistar file 23-1820). For the 2027 program cycle, the District Attorney’s Office has been awarded $202,545 in Services Training Officers Prosecutors (STOP) funds. This award requires a local match of $67,515, bringing the total program budget to $270,060. This represents the District Attorney’s ninth consecutive award under this grant program. The program’s primary purpose is to support the vertical prosecution of violent crimes committed against women.
Funding provided by this program will continue to support 1.0 FTE Limited-Term Associate Attorney and 1.0 FTE Victim Advocate through a service agreement with The Center for Violence-Free Relationships (The Center). The goals of the program include improving the criminal justice system’s processing of violent crimes against women through a coordinated, multi-disciplinary, prosecutorial response, including specialized units with a highly qualified prosecutor and victim advocate.
Due to the continuation of this grant program, the associated Limited-Term Deputy District Attorney position expiration date has already been extended through December 31, 2027 during the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Recommended Budget process.
As part of the current Non-Competitive Funding Opportunity process, CalOES requires the acknowledged Certification(s) of Assurance of Compliance to be included with the submitted application.
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, 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 VV Program grant agreement and related documents for period of January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027, including any future grant modifications/amendments that do not increase Net County Cost, upon review and approval by County Counsel.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could decline to accept the grant, but the County would be ineligible to participate in the program.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
Legistar file 23-1820 - October 24, 2023 - The Board approved the District Attorney to accept the VV Program funding in the project cost of $270,060 for period January 1, 2024-December 31, 2024.
Legistar file 25-1809 - November 4, 2025 - The Board approved the District Attorney to accept the VV Program funding in the project cost of $270,060 for period January 1, 2026-December 31, 2026.
Legistar file 24-1376 - November 12, 2024 - The 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.
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 $270,060 project award, $67,515 is earmarked as a local match requirement. The department anticipates using a portion of the assigned Associate Attorney salary and benefits as the cash match. Adequate funding is included in the department’s Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Obtain the Chair's signature on the Proof of Authority Resolution and return one certified copy of to the Chief Administrative Office, Central Fiscal, Attention: Justene Cline.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Vern Pierson, District Attorney