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District Attorney recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Approve and authorize the acceptance of a pending grant award in the amount of $272,667 from the California's Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) for the Sexual Assault Law Enforcement Specialized Units Program for the period of October 1, 2021 - September 30, 2022, contingent upon notification of grant award from CalOES;
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Certification of Assurance of Compliance Services Training Officers Prosecutors Formula Grant Program as authorized by the Violence Against Women Act;
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 notification of grant award from CalOES and approval of County Counsel and Risk Management; and
4) Approve and authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute Amendment II to Agreement 4458 with The Center for Violence-Free Relationships in the updated amount of $177,793 extending the service period covering October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022, to provide one full-time Sexual Assault Counselor to the grant program, contingent upon notification of grant award from CalOES.
FUNDING: California Governor's Office of Emergency Services: Services*Training*Officers*Prosecutors Formula Grant Program as authorized by the Violence Against Women Act.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On August 25, 2021, the District Attorney's Office submitted a response to a request for proposal of a grant opportunity for the Sexual Assault Law Enforcement Specialized Units (ST) Program, administered by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES). The purpose of the Sexual Assault Law Enforcement Specialized Units Program is to support and enhance specialized units to provide a coordinated response to adolescent (age 11 and older) and adult victims of sexual assault, through compassionate investigative interviewing, immediate victim advocacy, training for patrol officers/first responders, and the development/updating of effective protocols and practices. At this time, the District Attorney’s Office is still pending notification of award results from CalOES. Being that there is a quick turnaround period from the time of result notification and the time of the grant cycle start date of October 1, 2021, the District Attorney is requesting approval to accept the award and execute all required documents, only in the event the agency is deemed a successful applicant for award. It is expected results will be published prior to the grant cycle start date.
The plan for the ST Program is to continue funding 1.0 FTE District Attorney Investigator, 0.10 FTE Program Coordinator and 1.0 FTE Sexual Assault Counselor (SAC) through a participating staff contract with The Center for Violence-Free Relationships. A portion of the District Attorney Investigator and Program Coordinator’s salary/benefits, program vehicle maintenance costs, dedicated Investigator phone line, training material expenses, and a facility lease amount assigned to the project will be used to meet the 25% cash match requirement.
Amendment II to The Center for Violence-Free Relationships agreement #4458, extends the service period for the Sexual Assault Counselor (SAC), increases the monthly service rate from $4,893.67 to $4,924.25, adds an additional $3,000 for training related expenses and $720 for cell phone stipend, and increases the total not to exceed amount of the contract to $177,793. The amendment will allow the dedicated Sexual Assault Counselor to continue to work specifically with the ST Investigator through the term of the anticipated grant award period, October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022.
The objective of this project is to continue to dedicate personnel to enhance our ability to effectively provide services to adolescent and adult sexual assault victims and to thoroughly investigate the sexual assault crimes against them. Having a dedicated project team allows the District Attorney's Office to expeditiously conclude cases, reducing victim trauma.
Grant funding gives an organization the funds to develop or enhance a new or existing program for the betterment of the community. CalOES grant funding typically runs on a three-year grant cycle. If awarded, the FY 2021-22 grant is anticipated to be the first funding year within a three-year cycle.
ALTERNATIVES
Should the Board decline to accept the funding in the event the District Attorney’s Office receives the grant award, the County would be ineligible to participate in the program.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
Legistar 20-1104, September 22, 2020 - Board accepted Federal FY 2020-21 Cal OES Sexual Assault Law Enforcement Specialized Units Program (ST) in the amount of $272,667 for the period of October 1, 2020 - September 30, 2021 and executed Amendment I to Agreement #4458 with The Center for Violence-Free Relationships.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Procurement & Contracts
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost. Funding is included in the FY 2021-22 Budget. The total project award of $272,667 carries with it a match burden of $68,167. The grant proposal submitted identified using a portion of the Program Coordinator and the District Attorney Investigator's salary and benefits, program vehicle maintenance costs, dedicated Investigator phone line, and a facility lease to fulfill the match requirement. In the event the combination of these services is not sufficient to fulfill the match requirement, the County would be responsible for the difference.
Should the District Attorney’s Office find they were not selected to receive this grant award, budget adjustments will be made accordingly at a later date.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Safety
CONTACT
Vern Pierson, District Attorney