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District Attorney recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Approve and authorize the acceptance of a grant award in the amount of $65,000 from the California's Governor's Office of Emergency Services for the Domestic Violence American Rescue Plan Program for the period of January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2023 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 Family Violence Prevention and Services/Domestic Violence Shelter and Supportive Services Grant; and
3) Authorize the District Attorney to execute the Grant Award Agreement and required documents, including any extensions or amendments thereof which do not increase the Department's Net County Cost.
FUNDING: Family Violence Prevention and Services/Domestic Violence Shelter and Supportive Services Grant - Supplemental Funding American Rescue Plan of 2021. This funding is authorized by 42 U.S.C. § 10401 et seq.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On December 10, 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 Domestic Violence American Rescue Plan (RP) Program. This will be the District Attorney’s first award under this grant Program. The purpose of the RP Program is to ensure the continuity of domestic violence services and/or response to COVID-19 by providing funding for non-shelter supportive services and/or prevention activities.
The focus of this program is to fund up to 440 hours of domestic violence telehealth counseling services through a service contract with Julia Vanderschaaf (LMFT) using the grant award. Julia has been providing the District Attorney’s Office Victim Witness Unit with counseling services over the past three years and is familiar with their programs. Additionally the grant will fund a Program Coordinator on a part-time basis. The Program Coordinator will assist in preparing all required reports, provide grant management, communicate with the Domestic Violence Therapist, coordinate regular meetings with the Therapist to discuss progress in counseling services, and provide overall supervision of the program.
The Objective of this Project is to provide telehealth counseling services to adult victims of domestic violence. Services include crisis intervention, comprehensive therapy plans, case management, and prevention activities.
ALTERNATIVES
Should the Board decline to accept the funding, the County would be ineligible to participate in the program.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A - This is the initial request for Board approval under the CalOES Domestic Violence American Rescue Plan (RP) Program.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost. This grant program does not require a match burden. The department anticipates incurring $16,500 during the remainder of Fiscal Year 2021/22. Associated revenue and appropriations for Fiscal Year 2022-23 will be included in the recommended 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 forms and return one certified copy to the Chief Administrative Office, Central Fiscal Unit, Attention: Justene Cline and Audra Anderson.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public safety
CONTACT
Vern Pierson, District Attorney