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 Innovative Response to Marginalized Victims Program
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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 $197,372 in grant funding for the Marginalized Victims Program for the term January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021.
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Executive Summary:
On March 2, 2021, the District Attorney’s Office was notified its project was selected to receive funding, for a third year, for the Innovative Response to Marginalized Victims Program of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES). Board approval and authorization is requested to allow the District Attorney to accept the grant award of $197,372 for FY 2020/2021 and 2021/2022.
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 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, in collaboration with Social Advocates for Youth (SAY), will continue to focus on foster-care youth. Young people, especially those experiencing homelessness, are among the most criminally vulnerable population. 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.
SAY operates the only youth shelters between San Francisco and southern Oregon, providing safe and stable shelter and housing with comprehensive services, which are the foundation for healing. 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, including increasing SAY’s ability to designate housing for foster youth victims of crime and to complete the critical continuum of victim services.
This program makes funding available for SAY to provide direct mental health therapy and case management services to clients. There is a 20% match requirement for grant. Five percent of the funding will be provided though the staffing of the 24-hour Youth Crisis Line operated by SAY. CalOES will waive the remaining 15%. The District Attorney is working with County Purchasing on a professional service agreement with SAY, an agreement for $79,874.00 for 2021 calendar year.
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 the SAY 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 50% of the salary and benefits of the Senior Victim Advocate and ten percent of the salary and benefits of the Victim Services Director.
Notification of award for Calendar Year 2021 was received in March 2021. The program has continued to operate and a portion of the award has been spent. The District Attorney’s Office is requesting retroactive approval from the Board to officially accept the California Office of Emergency Services award in the amount of $197,372, for the term January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021.
Prior Board Actions:
The Board of Supervisors granted approval to accept the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the Marginalized Victims Program second year grant award on April 28, 2020.
The Board of Supervisors granted approval to accept the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the Marginalized Victims Program initial grant award on January 29, 2019.
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY 21-22 Adopted |
FY22-23 Projected |
FY 23-24 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
$98,686.00 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
$98,686.00 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
$98,686.00 |
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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 |
$98,686.00 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
The term of the grant is January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021. CalOES Marginalized Victims Program funds of $197,372 will be split evenly between the FY 2020/21 and 2021/22 Adopted Budgets. Grant revenue was included in the FY 20-21 Approved Budget and grant funds for that period of time have been invoiced and received.
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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):
This grant will continue to provide partial funding for the Senior Victim Advocate and Victim Services Director.
Attachments:
Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
Marginalized Victims Program Award Letter