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 $250,000 for the period of April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2024, 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; 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
On August 18, 2022, the District Attorney’s Office submitted a response to a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Child Advocacy Center (KC) Program, administered by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES). The purpose of the Child Advocacy Center Program is for Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) to provide direct victim services to child abuse survivors and their families through a multidisciplinary team approach. These services are to include victim-centered, trauma-informed forensic interviews, advocacy, direct or referral to therapy/counseling, and referrals for medical exams. The District Attorney's Office has participated in this program over the past five consecutive grant cycles. On October 28, 2022, the office received an Intent to Fund letter from CalOES, confirming that the agency will be awarded $200,000 in Federal Victims of Crime Assistance (VOCA) funds for the Grant Subaward performance period beginning April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024.
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 recent award funding the KC Program will allow staff to maintain 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 cycle of funding, the District Attorney will fund a 0.75 FTE CAC Coordinator (District Attorney Investigator) and a 1.0 FTE Victim Witness Program Specialist, in addition to membership/accreditation fees, program-related training, interviewing/case tracking software agreements, as-needed office supplies, cell phone lines for program staff, and office equipment rental. The Program will also allocate a 0.05 FTE Program Manager to meet the 25% cash match requirement.
As set forth in the RFP, 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. 12/2021) 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 and would lose the grant funding in support of the CAC.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
Legistar 22-0035, January 11, 2022 - Board accepted CalOES Child Advocacy Center Program (KC) in the amount of $209,334 for the period of April 1, 2022 - March 31, 2023.
Legistar 21-0240, March 9, 2021 - Board accepted CalOES Child Advocacy Center Program (KC) in the amount of $225,313 for the period of April 1, 2021 - March 31, 2022.
Legistar 20-0343, March 17, 2020 - Board accepted CalOES Child Advocacy Center Program (KC) in the amount of $218,750 for the period of April 1, 2020 - March 31, 2021.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost. Funding is included in the FY 2022-23 Budget. The total project award of $250,000 carries with it a match burden of $50,000. The grant proposal submitted identified using a portion of the CAC Coordinator and the Program Manager’s salary and benefits to fulfill the match requirement. In the event the combination of these services is not sufficient to fulfill the match requirement, the District Attorney would be responsible for identifying additional savings in his department to cover the match requirement.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Upon approval, Clerk of the Board to obtain the Board Chair's signature on two copies of the Certification of Assurance of Compliance form 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