TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Allison Haley - District Attorney
REPORT BY: Sophie Johnson - Staff Services Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution for Violence Against Women Vertical Prosecution Program
RECOMMENDATION
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Adopt a Resolution authorizing the District Attorney to apply for, execute and sign grant subaward documents, including amendments, extensions and modifications, thereof, for the Violence Against Women Vertical Prosecutions (VV) Program. (Fiscal Impact: $202,545 Revenue; General Fund; Budgeted; Discretionary)
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BACKGROUND
California Office of Emergency Services offers a Violent Crimes against Women grant program to encourage and support counties’ adoption of a vertical prosecution model for the handling of violent crimes against women, including the most egregious domestic violence and sexual assault crimes. The purpose of this grant program is to improve conviction rates and minimize victim trauma.
With this funding, the District Attorney’s Office will establish a true vertical prosecution and victim advocate program for a specialty caseload involving serious felony domestic violence and sexual assault crimes. The specialized prosecutor along with the assigned bilingual Victim Witness Advocate, will receive and handle each referral to the specialty caseload from case inception to conclusion. The vertical prosecution model will yield better victim service, intake, referral and court service outcomes for victims and will provide a higher level of coordination between law enforcement agencies and prosecution staff. Grant funding will be used toward the salary and benefits of the District Attorney Staff assigned to this grant.
The County was awarded this grant January 1, 2024, through to December 31, 2024, for a total project cost of $270,060. The program is continuing to be offered in the coming period of January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025 is with federal funds of $202,545. This grant requires a match of $67,515, that is equal to 25% of the total project cost, $270,060.
Approval of the Resolution will authorize the District Attorney to continue the Violence Against Women Vertical Prosecutions (VV) Program for the calendar year of 2025. Today's recommended action will authorize the District Attorney to apply and sign for these grant subawards, including acceptance of additional funding, extensions, modifications or amendments thereof.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
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Where is it budgeted? |
District Attorney |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
This item is discretionary, there is not mandate for the County to establish a Vertical Prosecution program for Violence Against Women. However, there is an opportunity to receive grant funding to improve the criminal justice process, improve conviction rates and minimize victim trauma. The in-kind match required for these grant funds, will not result in a net increase to the General Fund. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
Appropriations for future fiscal years will be budgeted accordingly |
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Consequences if not approved: |
If this item is not approved, the District Attorney’s office will no longer be receiving funding for the efforts of establishing and maintaining a formal vertical prosecution program, further impacting the vulnerable victims of crime |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.