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 Grant Program
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a resolution authorizing the District Attorney or their designee to execute a contract with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to accept $202,794 in grant funding for the Marginalized Victims Program for the term January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.
end
Executive Summary:
On January 11, 2023, the District Attorney’s Office was notified its project was selected to receive a fifth year of funding from 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 in the amount of $202,794 for the term January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023, spanning both FY 2022/2023 and 2023/2024.
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, VOICES, LifeWorks, and the Human Services Department 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.
Young people, especially those experiencing homelessness, are among the most criminally vulnerable populations. The District Attorney’s Victim Services Division continues its collaboration with Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) and VOICES to focus on foster-care youth. 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. A new partnership is beginning with LifeWorks to provide trauma-informed and culturally responsive mental health services to foster-care youth or those at-risk youth. Contracts for these collaborative efforts fall under the delegated signature authority for the District Attorney and will not require Board approval.
Founded in 1971, SAY operates the only youth shelters between San Francisco and southern Oregon, providing safe and stable shelter and housing with case management services.
VOICES supports 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.
Since 1996, LifeWorks vision is to build a stronger community where access to effective mental health services supports individuals and families throughout their lifespan. They work collaboratively with city, county and state programs, other service providers, and the community to support the wellbeing of Sonoma County.
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.
CalOES has waived the 20% local match requirement.
Two District Attorney staff, the Senior Victim Advocate and the Victim Services Director will be actively involved in supporting this victim service program. The Director is ultimately responsible for oversight of the program and grant reporting requirements and will be the liaison with LifeWorks. 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.
The District Attorney’s Office requests Board authorization for the District Attorney or their designee to sign a contract with the California Office of Emergency Services to accept the grant award for $202,794 for the term January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Prior Board Actions:
April 5, 2022: Board approved the acceptance of California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services’ Marginalized Victims Program for the grant term January 2022 through December 2022.
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 22-23 Adopted |
FY23-24 Projected |
FY 24-25 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$101,397 |
$101,397 |
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$101,397 |
$101,397 |
|
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
$101,397 |
$101,397 |
|
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$101,397 |
$101,397 |
|
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Budgetary expenditure appropriations were approved for calendar year 2022 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, funds for the 2023 program were anticipated and included in the department budget for Fiscal Year 2022/23. The revenue and appropriations for FY 2023/24 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 five percent of the salary and benefits of the Victim Services Director.
Attachments:
Program Resolution
Grant Award Document
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A