To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): District Attorney
Staff Name and Phone Number: Shane Lewis, 565-3150
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
District Attorney 2023 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Community Awareness Project
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Adopt a resolution authorizing the District Attorney to execute a contract with the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators to accept $5,000 in grant funding for the 2023 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) Community Awareness Project. (Majority)
B) Adopt a resolution adjusting the District Attorney’s Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Adopted Budget in the amount of $5,000 for the Victim Services Division to accept and program funds awarded by the National Association of Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Assistance Administrators. (4/5 vote)
(4/5th Vote Required)
end
Executive Summary:
On January 26, 2023, the District Attorney’s Office was notified its project was selected to receive funding for the 2023 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) Community Awareness Project. Board approval and authorization is requested to allow the District Attorney to accept the grant award of $5,000 for FY 2022-2023.
The National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) Community Awareness Project seeks to raise public awareness for and during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 23 - 29, 2023.
Discussion:
Beginning in 1981, the observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) during the month of April has provided the opportunity for communities across the United States to honor survivors and to promote crime victims’ rights and services.
This week is dedicated to learning about victimization, the effect victimization has on individuals, families, friends, and the community, and to promote laws, policies, and programs to help victims of crime. The annual event highlights the important voices of crime survivors and the countless service providers and first responders who work tirelessly to support them. Every year, thousands of communities across the nation honor the dedication of those that established victim rights and renew the commitment to guarantee that all victims have the rights and services they need to recover from crime.
The National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators, in cooperation with the Office for Victims of Crime, sought proposals for innovative and collaborative approaches to promoting community‐wide public awareness of the rights and available services for victims of all types of crimes during NCVRW, April 23-29, 2023. The 2023 NCVRW theme is “Survivor Voices: Elevate. Engage. Effect Change.”
Approximately 47 communities are awarded up to $5,000 each in reimbursement for approved NCVRW public awareness activities through the NCVRW Community Awareness Project. Over the past 14 years, the NCVRW Community Awareness Project has supported more than 1,000 community projects to raise public awareness about victims’ rights and services. The “traditional” NCVRW events are enhanced by the collaborative partnerships that are formed during the planning phase of the project.
Project funds will be used to host a community event on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Courthouse Square in downtown Santa Rosa. The event will honor victims of crime and those lost as a result of crime and will highlight the efforts of providers to improve services for all in the community. District Attorney Victim Services Division will partner with YWCA, Verity, California Parenting Institute, Council on Aging, and Family Youth and Children’s Services Division of the Sonoma County Human Services Department to create a countywide campaign to highlight National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. The events will target the Sonoma County population at large to increase awareness of services available to all victims of all crimes. Utilizing the ability of social media’s reach to cities and smaller communities in isolated areas, like the town of Sonoma or Healdsburg, the goal of the campaign is to encourage agencies and community members from more distant and isolated county areas to participate in the community event. At the event, partner agencies, along with health care centers, Sonoma County’s Department of Public Health, Human Services Department, Social Advocates for Youth, VOICES, and other community agencies, will have booths for the public and service providers to engage with agency staff and obtain information. The community event will symbolize the conclusion of Victims’ Rights Week and offer an opportunity for victims to see the supportive nature of the community. The event will include local tribal ceremonies, Ballet Folklorico show, local food trucks, as well as various lawn games and raffle prizes. Local law enforcement agencies and the fire department will join the event to showcase their service vehicles.
Funds from this grant will be utilized to advertise the community event and pay fees associated with hosting the event in Downtown Santa Rosa. Advertising will occur over radio, social media, newspapers, and school district newsletters throughout the month of April and during NCVRW.
Funds will also be used to collaborate with Lideres Campesinas, a network of Sonoma and Napa County women farmworker leaders, to create a short story pamphlet highlighting Victims’ Rights Week and Victim Services. The pamphlets will be distributed throughout the month of April at every Sonoma-Napa Farmworker informational meeting hosted by Lideres Campesinas.
Targeted mailings and event posters will be shared with various organizations and locations to increase awareness of the community event. The mailings will include an introduction letter and posters for display. Information and posters will be provided to Santa Rosa Junior College, and Sonoma State University as well as local schools, senior centers, child development centers, City of Santa Rosa Metro Chamber website, and victim-centered service providers.
Additional funds will be used to advertise general information about District Attorney Victim Services Division and its partner agencies on large bus posters, virtual newspaper ads, and informational pamphlets. Posters and flyers will be available in multiple languages including Spanish, Punjabi, Cantonese, Chinese and Eritrean. The goal is to create consciousness about services available in the local area and to reach diverse populations by having multiple visuals for individuals on the road. Funds will also be utilized to purchase giveaways such as small tote bags, pencils, etc. Each advertisement item or purchase will include the NCVRW colors or logos.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Prior Board Actions:
April 19, 2022: The Board approved the acceptance of grant funds from the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators to fund the 2022 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Community Awareness Project.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY 22-23 Adopted |
FY 23-24 Projected |
FY 24-25 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
$5,000 |
$0 |
$0 |
|
Total Expenditures |
$5,000 |
$0 |
$0 |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
$5,000 |
$0 |
$0 |
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$5,000 |
$0 |
$0 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
The award provides reimbursement for certain activities held during NCVRW, April 23-29, 2023. The After-Action Report/Reimbursement request is due no later than June 30, 2023.
|
Staffing Impacts: |
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|
Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
|
|
|
|
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
A. Resolution - Grant Acceptance
B. Resolution - Budget Allocation
C. 2023 NCRVRW Community Awareness Project Award Agreement
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A