Title
District Attorney recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Authorize the District Attorney to accept a grant from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the Child Abuse Program with a total project cost of $321,875 for the period of January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022, based on the received Letter of Intent;
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Certification of Assurance of Compliance as authorized by the Victims of Crime Act Victim Assistance Formula Grant Program; 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, contingent upon review and approval by County Counsel.
FUNDING: California Governor's Office of Emergency Services Victims of Crime Act funds.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On May 24, 2021, the District Attorney's Office received notification from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal EOS) that they intend to fund the department for participation in the Child Abuse Treatment (AT) Program, pending the submission of an application. This will be the District Attorney’s second consecutive award under this grant Program. The purpose of the AT Program is to continue providing comprehensive psychotherapy services to children victimized by abuse and/or neglect.
As part of the Request for Application (RFA) process, CalOES requests the signed Grant Subaward Face Sheet and Certification of Assurance of Compliance be included with the submitted application.
The primary focus of this program remains to fund Psychotherapy Clinicians through a service contract with Hope Counseling and 1.0 FTE Victim Witness Program Specialist - Limited Term using the grant award. Additionally the grant will fund a District Attorney Investigator, a Deputy District Attorney, and a Program Coordinator on a part-time basis to meet the cash match requirement.
The Objective of this Project is to enhance existing services for child victims of crime and/or child abuse and/or neglect. Psychotherapy services will be provided by the most qualified clinicians who have applicable education and experience working with this population. Furthermore, the Program will keep family therapy available for family members of abused/neglected children as part of the child’s treatment. To aid with these services, the Program Specialist will provide specialized direct advocacy services to victims of crime, including case management, criminal justice support, assistance with crime compensation benefits, counseling coordination, and referrals.
ALTERNATIVES
Should the Board decline to accept the funding, the County would be ineligible to participate in the program.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
Legistar 20-1402, November 10, 2020 - Board accepted Cal OES Child Abuse Program (AT) in the amount of $321,875 for the period of January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021
Legistar 20-1523, December 15, 2021 - Board executed agreement 5316 with Hope Counseling to provide services supporting the CalOES Child Abuse Program; and approved a resolution adding 1.0 FTE Limited-Term Victim Witness Program Specialist to the department allocation.
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 $321,875 includes a match requirement of $64,375. The grant proposal to be submitted identifies using the salary and benefit costs from the part-time allocation of the assigned Deputy District Attorney, the District Attorney Investigator, and the Program Coordinator (partial) along with a portion of the Child Advocacy Center Fausel House facility lease rental cost to fulfill the match requirement. In the event the combination of these expenses is not sufficient to satisfy the match requirement, the County would be responsible for the difference. Revenue and appropriations are included in the Recommended FY 202-22 department budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk of the Board to obtain the Board Chair's signature on two Certification of Assurance of Compliance Violence Against Women Act forms and return one certified copy to the Chief Administrative Office, Central Fiscal Unit, Attention: Justene Cline.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Safety
CONTACT
Vern Pierson, District Attorney