To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Human Services
Staff Name and Phone Number: Angela Struckmann, 707-565-5800; Regina de Melo, 707-565-4346
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services funding for the Redwood Children’s Center
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Director of the Human Services Department to accept Victims of Crime Act grant funding from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, Victims Services Branch, in the amount of $200,000 for the grant period of April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026, and execute the grant subaward on behalf of the County of Sonoma, including any extensions or amendments, subject to review and approval as to form by County Counsel.
end
Executive Summary:
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Victims of Crime Act Child Advocacy Center Program awards funding to develop and support accredited Child Advocacy Centers throughout California. The Redwood Children’s Center is the accredited Child Advocacy Center in Sonoma County operated by the Human Services Department. The Redwood Children’s Center has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services that will be used to provide therapy, advocacy, and other supportive services for child victims of abuse and their families. The grant will also support the continuing professional development of involved staff and agency partners.
Discussion:
The Family, Youth and Children’s Services (FYC) division of the Human Services Department (HSD) provides services to families with active child welfare cases, as well as an array of child abuse prevention services to support families prior to or as a diversion from formal involvement with the child welfare system. Within the FYC division is the Redwood Children’s Center (RCC), which is available to any child, teen, or adult with developmental disabilities that is the victim of sexual abuse, exploitation, physical abuse or witness to a violent crime.
RCC is an accredited Child Advocacy Center and is the coordination hub for investigation and intervention services for victims of sexual and physical abuse or assault. In addition to providing forensic interviews, RCC staff coordinate an array of related services for victims including forensic sexual assault exams, victim advocacy, and therapy and case management services for victims and their families. RCC is housed in the Family Justice Center so victims can easily access services with other onsite service providers, including Verity’s rape crisis center, law enforcement, Adult Protective Services, the Department of Health Services, the District Attorney’s office, and various mental health providers. RCC utilizes a multidisciplinary team approach in which committed staff from partner agencies work closely together on every case to ensure that services and follow up are well coordinated to minimize impact for victims.
RCC has utilized the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) funding since 2018 to improve and increase services for victims in a trauma-informed setting. Over the last several years, $200,000 has been received annually and been used for trauma-informed and evidence-based mental health treatment, victim support and advocacy, and support to maintain the multi-disciplinary approach to service delivery. In fiscal year 2025-2026, Cal OES funding will be used to continue providing clients with evidence-based therapy services through contracted providers and will fund additional professional development opportunities for the multidisciplinary team.
Strategic Plan:
Not Applicable
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
Accepted Cal OES funding for the Child Advocacy Center Program annually since 2020
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY25-26 Adopted |
FY26-27 Projected |
FY27-28 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
$150,000 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
$150,000 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
$150,000 |
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Fees/Other |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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General Fund Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$150,000 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
HSD received a $200,000 grant from Cal OES to administer the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) KC grant. Because the Cal OES grant cycle overlaps two fiscal years, funding of $50,000 was included in the HSD FY24/25 adopted budget and $150,000 is included in HSD’s FY25/26 budget. No County general fund local match is needed for this grant.
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Staffing Impacts: None |
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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):
No Staffing Impacts
Attachments:
1) Resolution Accepting Cal OES Child Advocacy Center Program Grant Funding
2) Notification of Subaward
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None