TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Allison Haley - District Attorney
REPORT BY: Sophie Johnson, Staff Services Manager
SUBJECT: Application and Acceptance of Funding for County Victim Services (XC) Program
RECOMMENDATION
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District Attorney requests approval of and authorization for the Chair to sign a Certification of Assurance of Compliance document that authorizes the District Attorney to apply for and sign grant Subaward documents with the California Office of Emergency Services for the County Victim Services (XC) Program in the anticipated amount of $163,261 for the term of January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Approval of the recommended action will allow the District Attorney to apply for and sign grant subaward documents, including amendments, extensions, and modifications, thereof, for continuation of the County Victim Services (XC) Program. This subaward program, administered by the California Office of Emergency Services, provides Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding for continued services to crime victims and witnesses throughout the County.
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 as there is no mandate for the District Attorney’s office to provide additional local services above the mandatory victim services handled through the Victim/Witness Assistance Program. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
Yes |
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Future fiscal impact: |
Appropriations have been included in the District Attorney’s budget for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 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 additional local services for Victims of Crime. |
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County Strategic Plan pillar addressed: |
Effective and Open Government |
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.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
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. The District Attorney's Office began providing victim witness services in Fiscal Year 2010-2011. The Victim Services Division currently operates with funding provided primarily by grant subaward programs administered by the California Office of Emergency Services. Increased funding allocated under the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) allows for expanded services to targeted populations. The County Victim Services (XC) Program provides funding for local identified gaps and needs in victim services.
Victim Witness Programs are 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 Victim Services Program provides funding for gaps and needs in victim services as identified by a local steering committee in order for the County to better respond to the needs of crime victims.
The County's anticipated funding level for continuation of the County Victim Services Program focused on meeting local gaps and needs in the provision of victim services for the funding cycle of January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022 is $163,261. Today's recommended action will authorize the Chair to sign the Certificate of Assurance of Compliance (COAOC) documents, which authorizes the District Attorney to apply and sign for these grant subawards, including acceptance of additional funding, extensions, modifications or amendments thereof.