TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Allison Haley – District Attorney
REPORT BY: Sophie Johnson – Staff Services Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution for Victim Witness Assistance 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 Victim/Witness Assistance Program. (Fiscal Impact: $376,543 Revenue; General Fund; Budgeted; Discretionary)
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BACKGROUND
California Penal Code Sections 13835 through 13835.10 mandate that every county in the State of California be provided funding for comprehensive services for victims and witnesses. Funding is designed to help victims and witnesses of all types of crime by maintaining local centers that provide comprehensive assistance, including all legislatively mandated services. Victim/Witness Assistance Centers (VWACs) arose in 1983 in an effort by the Legislature to reduce the trauma and insensitive treatment that victims and witnesses experienced in the criminal justice system. Today, State and Federally funded VWACs operate in each of the 58 counties and in the City of Los Angeles and play a vital role in California’s criminal justice system. Napa County District Attorney's Office began providing victim witness services in Fiscal Year 2010-2011.
Each VWAC is required to perform 14 mandatory services: crisis intervention, emergency assistance, resource and referral assistance, direct counseling, victim of crime claims, property return, orientation to the criminal justice system, court escort, presentations and training to local criminal justice agencies, public presentations and publicity, case status and case dispositions, notification to family and friends, employer notification and intervention, and assistance with restitution. The following 10 optional services may be provided if they do not preclude the efficient provision of mandatory services: employer intervention, creditor intervention, child care, notification to witnesses of any change in the court calendar, funeral arrangements, crime prevention information, witness protection, assistance in obtaining temporary restraining orders, transportation, and provision of a waiting area during court proceedings separate from defendants and families and friends of defendants. The Victim/Witness program staff offers and provides mandated and optional services to an average of 1,500 victims each fiscal year.
The County's funding for October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026 is $376,543 for continuation of the Victim/Witness Assistance Program. The funding includes $202,713 of federal victims of crimes act (VOCA) funds and $173,830 of state funds.
Approval of the Resolution will authorize the District Attorney to continue the Victim/Witness Assistance (VW) Program for October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. 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 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? |
Mandatory |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
Appropriations have been included in the District Attorney’s budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 and 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 will not be able to obtain continued funding from the State of California for provision of mandated victim and witness services to victims of crime. Additionally, the County would need to identify another department or non-profit to serve as the victim and witness services provider within the County |
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.