To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Human Services
Staff Name and Phone Number: Paul Dunaway (707) 565-3673, Laura Rania (707) 565-4031
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Victims of Crime Act XE Grant for Elder Support Services
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a resolution authorizing the Director of the Human Services Department to accept Victims of Crime Act XE grant funding from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services in the amount of $217,444 for a one-year grant to provide elder support services.
end
Executive Summary:
The Human Services Department (HSD), Adult and Aging Division was awarded a Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) XE grant in the amount of $217,444 for a one-year period from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023 from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). This Cal OES grant through the VOCA XE program funds contracted services for an elder advocate, an elder law attorney, and an elder justice coordinator to provide advocacy, community coordination, care coordination and legal assistance for elder and dependent adult victims of crime. Cal OES requires a Board Resolution to accept the funding.
Discussion:
Beginning in 2017, the Cal OES VOCA XE grant has helped elder and dependent adults obtain safety and shelter. Demand for services and supports continues to be high and is anticipated to increase due to both demographic changes in the aging population and an increase in public awareness of services available to victims of elder abuse. California’s over-60 population is projected to diversify and grow faster than any other age group, increasing from 16% of the population in 2010 to 25% by 2030. Older adults aged 60+ currently account for 27% of Sonoma County’s total population, a number that is projected to increase to 33% by 2030.
The HSD Adult & Aging Division has many relationships in place with community organizations to serve elder and dependent adult victims of crime. The VOCA XE project is designed to support the goal of increasing access to services for elder and dependent adult victims of crime in Sonoma County by achieving the following objectives:
1. Providing contracted case management, outreach, and advocacy to victims through on-site services at the Family Justice Center of Sonoma County (FJCSC);
2. Providing contracted legal services for victims through an on-site Legal Aid attorney and assistant;
3. Coordinating systems work between organizations such as regular elder abuse training, community outreach and collaboration, advocacy and public awareness through ongoing funding of the Sonoma County Elder Justice Coordinator;
4. Providing comprehensive health, housing, mental health and other services to victims through partners at the FJCSC and referrals to other organizations; and
5. Coordinating and leveraging existing community services for elders and dependent adults to improve and expand services to meet the needs of an expanding older adult population.
The VOCA XE funding is contracted to three community partners. The three contracts are under the $100,000 Board of Supervisors approval threshold and will be executed by the Human Services Department Director:
Council on Aging - An elder advocate will support victims of elder and dependent adult abuse through case management services.
Legal Aid - An elder law attorney will provide safety-based legal services to victims of abuse.
Senior Advocacy Services - An elder justice coordinator will facilitate the Elder and Dependent Adult Multidisciplinary Team meetings and the Financial Abuse Specialist Team meetings, while also enhancing communication and coordination around adult abuse awareness efforts throughout Sonoma County.
The VOCA XE grant project strengthens the safety net of community providers who serve elder and dependent adults and provides wrap-around support services for victims of elder and dependent adult abuse, which is vital to the health and safety of these vulnerable populations.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Prior Board Actions:
02.08.2022 Adopted a Resolution to accept funding for the VOCA XE grant
05.11.2021 Adopted a Resolution to accept funding for the VOCA XE grant
04.28.2020 Authorized the HSD to execute VOCA XE contracts with Senior Advocacy Services and Legal Aid of Sonoma County
09.25.2018 Adopted a Resolution to accept funding for the VOCA XE and VOCA KE Specialized Emergency Housing
08.14.2018 Authorized the Director of the HSD to execute agreements for VOCA grant funds with Council on Aging
04.17.2018 Approved new Cal OES VOCA grant funding for Housing and Case Management Services
01.24.2017 Authorized the Director of HSD to sign and execute agreements for VOCA grant funds
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY 22-23 Adopted |
FY 23-24 Projected |
FY 24-25 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$108,722 |
$108,722 |
0 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$108,722 |
$108,722 |
0 |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
$108,722 |
$108,722 |
0 |
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$108,722 |
$108,722 |
0 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
A total of $217,444 is funded by Cal OES for the 2023 calendar year. The current fiscal year 2022-2023 budget already anticipated and included appropriation for $108,722 in expenditures since 50% of total state funding was expected to arrive for the period January 1, 2023 through June 30, 2023. The remaining 50% will be spent in the subsequent fiscal year per the state’s calendar-year funding guidelines. The $108,722 remaining funds (50% balance) for the six-months starting July 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023 will be included in the FY23-24 recommended budget. There is no local match requirement.
|
Staffing Impacts: |
|
|
|
|
Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None
Attachments:
Attachment 1: Cal OES Resolution
Attachment 2: Cal OES Grant Award Document
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None