TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Allison Haley - District Attorney
REPORT BY: Sophie Johnson - Staff Services Manager
SUBJECT: Application and Acceptance of Funding for Violence Against Women Vertical Prosecution Program
RECOMMENDATION
title
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 in the anticipated amount of $202,545, with the California Office of Emergency Services for the term of January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 for the Violence Against Women Vertical Prosecution Program.
body
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 the Violence Against Women Vertical Prosecution Program. This subaward program grant in the amount of $202,545, administered by the California Office of Emergency Services, requires in-kind matching funds of $67,515 for a total project cost of $270,060.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
|
Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
|
Is it currently budgeted? |
No |
|
Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
|
Discretionary Justification: |
This item is discretionary, there is no 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. |
|
Is the general fund affected? |
No |
|
Future fiscal impact: |
Appropriations for future fiscal years will be budgeted accordingly. |
|
Consequences if not approved: |
If this item is not approved, the District Attorney’s office will be delayed in the efforts to establish a formal vertical prosecution program, further impacting the vulnerable victims of crime. |
|
County Strategic Plan pillar addressed: |
Healthy, Safe, and Welcoming Place to Live, Work, and Visit |
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 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's anticipated funding for the period of January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 is $202,545. This grant requires an in-kind match of $67,515, that is equal to 25% of the total project cost, $270,060.
Today's recommended action will authorize the Chair to sign the Certificate of Assurance of Compliance (COAOC) document, which authorizes the District Attorney to apply and sign for these grant subawards, including acceptance of additional funding, extensions, modifications or amendments thereof.