Title
District Attorney's Office recommending the Board:
1) Accept a grant from the Governor's Office of Emergency Services for the Child Advocacy Center Program for the total project cost of $225,313 for the period of April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022, based on the received Letter of Intent;
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the current Certification of Assurance of Compliance and any modified Certifications that may be required during the performance period;
3) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 002-2021 amending the current Authorized Personnel Allocation Resolution for the District Attorney to add 1.0 FTE Victim Witness Program Specialist - Limited Term; and
4) 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 four of an anticipated five-year grant cycle for the Child Advocacy Center (KC) program. During the first year, a Request for Proposal (RFP) is submitted. In the subsequent 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, 2021 to March 31, 2022, the District Attorney's Office has been advised funding up to $225,313 (total project cost) 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 fund a 0.75 FTE CAC Coordinator (District Attorney Investigator) and a 1.0 FTE Program Specialist. The addition of the Limited-Term Victim Witness Program Specialist, per the pending approval of Resolution xxx-2021 updating the District Attorney’s Personnel Allocation, will greatly advance the program objectives to have a dedicated child advocate and to be a fully accredited Center. Additionally, the Program will allocate a Deputy District Attorney and a Program Coordinator on a part-time basis to meet the cash match requirement.
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. 10/2020) for the Victims of Crimes Act (VOCA) Fund and authorize the District Attorney to execute the grant award agreement and any additional required documents. From the time the RFA was submitted to the time the Letter of Intent to Fund was received, CalOES updated the COAOC form. County Counsel has reviewed and approved the updated form for signature.
ALTERNATIVES
Should the Board decline to accept the grant award, the County would be ineligible to participate in the program and would lose the grant funding for the CAC.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
The Board initially 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.
The Board approved the second-year of funding for the Child Advocacy Center Program grant for the period of April 1, 2019 - March 31, 2020 on February 26, 2019, Agenda File 19-0229, Item #24.
The Board approved the third-year of funding for the Child Advocacy Center Program grant for the period of April 1, 2020 - March 31, 2021 on March 17, 2020, Agenda File 20-0343, Item #.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Human Resources
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost. The total project award of $225,313 carries with it a match burden of $45,063. The grant proposal submitted identified using a portion of the salary and benefits for the Lead Deputy District Attorney and Program Coordinator, equipment rental, a secure audio recording system, and office supplies as the cash match. The grant award is included in the department's budget. 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
Upon approval, Clerk of the Board to:
1) Obtain the Board Chair’s signature on two copies of 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: Audra Anderson; and
2) Provide a copy of the fully executed Resolution to Katie Lee in Human Resources.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Safety
CONTACT
Vern Pierson, District Attorney