Title
District Attorney recommending the Board:
1) Accept a grant from the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Child Advocacy Center Program for the total project cost of $218,750 for the period of April 1, 2019 - March 31, 2020, based on the received Letter of Intent;
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Certification of Assurance of Compliance; and
3) Authorize the District Attorney to execute the Grant Award Agreement and required documents, including any extensions or amendments thereof which would not increase net county cost.
FUNDING: California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Victims of Crime Act Fund.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The District Attorney's Office is currently in year two of a three-year grant cycle for the Child Advocacy Center (KC) program. During the first year, a Request for Proposal (RFP) is submitted. In the subsequent two years, a Request for Application (RFA) is submitted based on a funding amount established by the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CalOES). For the period of April 1, 2019 - March 31, 2020, the District Attorney's Office has been advised funding up to $218,750 may be requested.
In 2018, KC program funding was accepted and used to create The Fausel House Child Advocacy Center (CAC) in Placerville, a free-standing building next door to the District Attorney’s Office. The downstairs floor of the Fausel House CAC is composed of a comfortable family waiting area, a victim program specialist desk for families to review paperwork, a bathroom, and a video and audio recorded interview room. There are drawing materials, multiple age appropriate toys and books, and comfortable furniture for children and families to feel at-ease during their time at the CAC. Additionally, a South Lake Tahoe (SLT) satellite location was also created. The SLT location contains two interview rooms, which have been remodeled (one for small children and another for older/teenage children), and a family waiting room has been created complete with toys, drawing materials, and other child and family friendly toys. All CAC facilities ensure a comfortable, private setting for families visiting the CAC.
The renewal of the KC Program will allow staff to continue working to meet all necessary National Children's Alliance (NCA) accreditation components and standards for The Fausel House Child Advocacy Center as well as continue to enhance the coordinated team approach to the investigation and prosecution of child sexual and physical abuse cases. With this round of funding, the District Attorney will continue fund a .85 FTE CAC Coordinator (District Attorney Investigator) and renew an existing contract with The Center for Violence Free Relationships to provide a part-time counselor.
As set forth in the Request for Application (RFA), the District Attorney is required to obtain written authorization from the Board of Supervisors that the official executing the agreement is authorized to do so. The District Attorney recommends the Board approve the acceptance of the grant award, authorize the Chair to sign the Certification of Assurance of Compliance (Rev. 9/2018) for the Victims of Crimes Act (VOCA) Fund and authorize the District Attorney to execute the grant award agreement and any additional required documents.
ALTERNATIVES
Should the Board decline to accept the grant award, the County would be ineligible to participate in the program.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
The Board initally approved the acceptance of the Child Advocacy Center Program grant for the period of April 1, 2018 - March 31, 2019 on February 2, 2018, Agenda File 18-0164, Item #15.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost. The total project award of $218,750 carries with it a match burden of $43,750. The grant proposal submitted identified using a portion of the salary and benefits for the Lead Deputy District Attorney and Program Coordinator, equipment rental, facility lease and related travel expenses as the cash match. In the event the combination of these services is not sufficient to fulfill the match requirements, 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 the Certification of Assurance of Compliance Victim of Crime Acts forms and return one certified copy to the Chief Administrative Office, Central Fiscal Unit, Attention: Megan Arevalo.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Safety
CONTACT
Vern Pierson, District Attorney