To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): District Attorney
Staff Name and Phone Number: Tatiana Lopez 565-2822
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
District Attorney Victim/Witness Assistance Program
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a resolution to authorize the District Attorney to sign a contract with the California Office of Emergency Services to continue participation in the Victim/Witness Assistance Program and accept $810,189 in grant funding for the term October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022.
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Executive Summary:
Board approval and authorization is requested to allow the District Attorney to continue participation in the Victim/Witness Assistance Program funded by the California Office of Emergency Services, in the amount of $810,189.00 for the 2021-22 Federal fiscal year. These grant funds have been accessed by the county since 1986 and are designated to pay for 5.0 full-time equivalent Victim Witness Advocate II positions, 50% of the salary and benefits of the Senior Victim Witness Advocate, as well as salary and benefits for one Extra Help Victim Advocate II. The Senior Victim Advocate and one Advocate are the Mass Victimization Advocates. The grant will also provide funding for an annual Victim Services training, outreach events, cell phone minutes to support communication with clients, and supplies.
Discussion:
The purpose of this grant is to ensure advocacy is provided to all adult and juvenile crime victims going through the criminal justice system and to do so as soon as possible after a crime has occurred; to reach out and offer services to victims even if the decision is made to not pursue prosecution; to collaborate with law enforcement, community based organizations, and other victim service organizations to provide a comprehensive response to meeting the needs of crime victims in Sonoma County; and to provide community outreach and training to law enforcement, community based organizations, and the community at large on the services available to crime victims through the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Victim Services Division.
The District Attorney’s Office has participated in the Victim Witness Assistance Program annually since 1986, and receives an award amount based on available combined State and Federal pass-through funds. The Victim Witness Assistance grant helps the County of Sonoma meet the victim and witness service mandates under California Penal Code Section §13835 and allows the County of Sonoma to provide comprehensive and optional services to crime victims and witnesses for all types of crime, whether or not a suspect has been identified.
As a result of an ever-changing environment, Victim Services Division has evolved to ensure victims’ needs are met. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, victim advocates, restitution specialists, and support staff have been equipped to telework to continue providing support and guidance in an already stressful time a victim might be facing. Advocates continue to make services available to victims in our community, including accompaniment to court, and have successfully transitioned to providing virtual support.
Despite limitations due to the pandemic, over the past year we have been successful in increasing outreach to the Hispanic community by building a collaborative relationship with our local non-profit Spanish-speaking radio station, KBBF. We plan to continue to have on-air discussions promoting awareness of Human Trafficking, Child Abuse, Sexual Assault, Victims’ Rights, Elder Abuse, Domestic Violence, and Homelessness throughout 2022. We will also continue to participate in the Latino Health Forum where, at the 2020 event, Spanish-speaking advocates had the opportunity to speak with 250 participants. We were able to attend the 2021 event that was held virtually, and look forward to hosting a table should the event return to in-person in 2022. During the FFY 2021-22 grant cycle, an advocate will attend the monthly Latino Service Providers meeting, which includes many local agencies that serve our local Hispanic community.
Victims of crime often suffer emotional, mental and/or material losses. As a society, it is imperative we help mend and restore these citizens to help prevent further harm to them, their families, and their communities. The Victim Advocates provided for under this grant deliver important victim advocacy services, helping victims understand and navigate the criminal justice system and help make their voices heard throughout the prosecutorial process. They assist with Victim Impact Statements at the end of court proceedings, which is one of greatest tools in helping victims heal. Victim Advocates also work closely with the Family Justice Center Sonoma County (FJCSC) to better serve victims of family violence, providing referrals to agencies who can help with housing and financial needs, counseling and medical services, legal assistance, translation and immigration services, and more. Together with FJCSC partners, including YWCA; Verity; Council on Aging; Legal Aid; Catholic Charities; Sonoma County Sheriff; Santa Rosa Police Department; Sonoma County Human Services- Redwood Children’s Center; Family, Youth, and Children Services; Adult Protective Services; and Sonoma County Health Services, Victim Advocates ensure that victims obtain the supportive services they need.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Prior Board Actions:
The Board of Supervisors has granted approval to accept the Victim/Witness Assistance Program funds every year since 1986. Most recently, on 10/20/2020 the Board approved the acceptance of the Federal Fiscal Year 2020-2021 grant in the amount of $810,601.
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY 21-22 Adopted |
FY22-23 Projected |
FY 23-24 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
$607,642 |
$202,547 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
$607,602 |
$202,547 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
$607,602 |
$202,547 |
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Fees/Other |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$607,602 |
$202,547 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
The current District Attorney budget includes salary and benefit appropriations as well as grant revenue so no additional budget action is required. Funding for this program has been consistent over the past several years; however, without any increase in grant funding, General Fund may be utilized in future years to cover increases in salary and benefits.
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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):
No Staffing Impacts
Attachments:
Program Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
Grant Award Document