To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): District Attorney
Staff Name and Phone Number: Carla Rodriguez, 565-2311; Shane Lewis 565-3150
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
District Attorney Family Justice Center Grant Program
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a position Resolution extending the 1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) Victim Witness Advocate II time-limited allocation from November 30, 2026 through June 30, 2028, to support continuation of Family Justice Center (FJC) Navigator services through the California Office of Emergency Services Family Justice Center Program.
end
Executive Summary:
The District Attorney is requesting to extend a 1.0 FTE Victim Witness Advocate II time-limited allocation at the Family Justice Center from November 30, 2026, through June 30, 2028. This allocation is funded by a grant through the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) and is currently approved through November 30, 2026.
The Family Justice Center (FJC) Grant Program is a two-year program that started on April 1, 2026, and expires March 31, 2028. The purpose of this board item is to request extension of the grant-funded position, supported by CalOES.
Discussion:
The CalOES Family Justice Center Program provides services to victims of sexual assault/domestic violence, child/elder abuse, dating violence, and stalking in Sonoma County. The purpose of the program is to support fully operational multiagency, multidisciplinary Family Justice Centers with State General Funds. Available funding for the April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2028 program is up to $312,500 per applicant. Grant funds will provide funding for one full-time time-limited Victim Witness Advocate II and the $10,000 membership cost for the California Family Justice Network. Salary and benefits for this position is estimated at $151,250 per year, based on budget projections, and grant funds will cover the entire amount.
At this time, The District Attorney’s Office is requesting to extend the end date of the time-limited Victim Witness Advocate II allocation from November 30, 2026 through June 30, 2028. Grant renewal is expected for April 1, 2028. Additional time is requested to allow for delays in the grant award notification process.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
N/A
Prior Board Actions:
April 28, 2026: The Board approved the extension of the 1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) time-limited Victim Witness Advocate II allocation November 30, 2026 through June 30, 2028 to support continuation of the Family Justice Center (FJC) Navigator services through the California Office of Emergency Services Family Justice Center Grant Program.
December 3, 2024: The Board approved the acceptance of additional funding from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services’ Family Justice Center Program for the grant term April 1, 2024 through March 31, 2026.
July 23, 2024: Board authorized the District Attorney to execute a contract with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to accept grant funding for the Family Justice Center Grant Program and authorized the addition of the 1.0 FTE time-limited Victim Witness Advocate position to the department allocation table for the grant term of April 1, 2024 through March 31, 2026.
March 12, 2024: Board approved Resolution Number 24-0078, the acceptance of additional funding from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services’ Family Justice Center Program for the grant term April 1, 2022 through March 31, 2024.
April 19, 2022: Board approved Resolution Number 22-0150, the acceptance of California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services’ Family Justice Center Program for the grant term April 1, 2022 through March 31, 2024.
March 19, 2019: Board approved Resolution Number 19-0114, the acceptance of California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services’ Family Justice Center Program for the grant term January 2019 through December 2020.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY26-27 Adopted |
FY27-28 Projected |
FY28-29 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$170,405 |
$120,376 |
$0 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$170,405 |
$120,376 |
$0 |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
$170,405 |
$120,376 |
$0 |
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
General Fund Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$170,405 |
$120,376 |
$0 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
The program is two years, from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2028. The funding is split between FY25-26 (Q4), FY 26-27, and FY 27-28 (Q1, Q2, and Q3). No local match is required. Remaining funds will be expended during the following two fiscal years for the California Family Justice Center Network membership and the full-time time-limited Victim Witness Advocate (Navigator). FJC grant funds were included in the Adopted FY26-27 budget and the remainder will be included in the FY27-28 budget.
|
Staffing Impacts: |
|
|
|
|
Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
|
Victim Witness Advocate II |
$6,976.20 - $8,480.66 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
The FJC program is expected to have sufficient funds to cover salary and benefits for the Victim Witness Advocate II allocation for the full grant term of April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2028, as well as two-year membership with the California Family Justice Network. This request is to extend the time limited end date for the 1.0 FTE Victim Witness Advocate II allocation from November 30, 2026 to June 30, 2028.
Attachments:
Position Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A