To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): District Attorney
Staff Name and Phone Number: Shane Lewis, 565-3150
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
District Attorney Marginalized Victims Program
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a resolution authorizing the District Attorney to execute a contract with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to accept $202,793 in grant funding for the Marginalized Victims Program for the term January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022.
end
Executive Summary:
On February 8, 2022, the District Attorney’s Office was notified its project was selected to receive funding, for a fourth year, for the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) Innovative Response to Marginalized Victims Program. Board approval and authorization is requested to allow the District Attorney to accept the grant award of $202,793 for the term January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022, spanning both FY 2021/2022 and 2022/2023.
The purpose of the CalOES Victim Services & Public Safety Branch, Underserved Victims Unit’s Marginalized Victims Program is to support innovative projects that serve marginalized victims of crime. The District Attorney’s Victim Services Division will work in tandem with Social Advocates for Youth and VOICES to provide services to victimized foster-care youth.
Discussion:
The program is supported with federal funds from the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Assistance Formula Grant Program. The Program Objectives include: a) Provide direct victim services to respond to the emotional, psychological and/or physical needs of marginalized crime victims; b) Assist victims to stabilize their lives after victimization; c) Assist victims to understand and participate in the criminal justice system; and d) Restore a measure of security and safety for the victim.
The District Attorney’s Victim Services Division continues its collaboration with Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) to focus on foster-care youth. A new partnership with VOICES began last year. Young people, especially those experiencing homelessness, are among the most criminally vulnerable populations. District Attorney staff will continue to liaison with Human Services Family, Youth & Children Division personnel to provide training, process claims though the California Victim Compensation Board, and provide all mandated services for cases that result in criminal prosecution.
Founded in 1971, SAY operates the only youth shelters between San Francisco and southern Oregon, providing safe and stable shelter and housing with mental health and case management services.
VOICES support youth through a comprehensive web of core resources offered through individual services and supports, classes, workshops, and events that are youth-friendly, easily accessible and responsive to youth needs. Services are organized around four key areas: education, employment, housing, and health and wellness.
The CalOES Marginalized Victim Program funding provides direct services to help victimized foster youth. The grant funding also helps improve outreach efforts and services available to foster youth in Sonoma County, to complete the critical continuum of victim services.
A 20% match is required for the grant. Five percent of the match funds will be provided though the staffing of the 24-hour Youth Crisis Line operated by SAY. CalOES will waive the remaining 15%.
Two District Attorney staff will also be actively involved in supporting this victim service program, the Director of Victim Services and the Senior Victim Advocate. The Director is ultimately responsible for oversight of the program and grant reporting requirements. The Senior Victim Advocate will work collaboratively with SAY and VOICES staff and with victims to provide program and victim support, and acts as the supervisor in the Director’s absence. This grant will continue to provide funding for approximately 50% of the salary and benefits of the Senior Victim Advocate and ten percent of the salary and benefits of the Victim Services Director.
The District Attorney’s Office requests Board authorization for the District Attorney to sign a contract with the California Office of Emergency Services to accept the grant award for $202,793 for the term January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Prior Board Actions:
September 14, 2021: Board approved the acceptance of California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services’ Marginalized Victims Program for the grant term January 2021 through December 2021.
April 28, 2020: Board approved the acceptance of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services’ Marginalized Victims Program for the grant term January 2020 through December 2020.
January 29, 2019: The Board of Supervisors granted approval to accept the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services’ Marginalized Victims Program for the grant term January 2019 through December 2019.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY 21-22 Adopted |
FY22-23 Projected |
FY 23-24 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$101,396 |
$101,397 |
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$101,396 |
$101,397 |
|
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
$101,396 |
$101,397 |
|
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$101,396 |
$101,397 |
|
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Budgetary expenditure appropriations were approved for calendar year 2021 when the Board of Supervisors granted approval to accept the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services’ Marginalized Victims Program. This grant is non-competitive and funds for the 2022 program were anticipated and included in the department budget for Fiscal Year 2021/22. The revenue and appropriations for FY 2022/23 will be included as part of budget development.
|
Staffing Impacts: |
|
|
|
|
Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
This grant will continue to provide funding for 50% of the salary and benefits of the Senior Victim Advocate and ten percent of the salary and benefits of the Victim Services Director.
Attachments:
Program Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
Marginalized Victims Program Award