Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Executive
Subject: Use of District-Discretionary Measure K Funds - Supervisorial District 2
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing a one-time grant of district-discretionary Measure K funds, not to exceed $50,000, to Sitike Counseling Center for Break the Cycle batterer intervention program expansion and authorizing the County Executive, or designee, to execute the grant agreement.
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BACKGROUND:
Measure K is the half-cent general sales tax initially approved by San Mateo County voters in November 2012 and extended in November 2016 for a total of thirty years.
The Board of Supervisors (Board) held study sessions on Measure K expenditures and approved funds for the fiscal year (FY) 2024-25 budget cycle, divided evenly among the five supervisorial districts, for one-time district-discretionary needs and projects. District 2 has submitted a request to use their district-discretionary Measure K funds as shown below and described in the Project Summary section of this memorandum:
|
District/Project |
Amount |
|
District 2 (Supervisor Noelia Corzo) - Sitike Counseling Center: Break the Cycle batterer intervention program expansion. |
$50,000 |
This item is consistent with the criteria for district-discretionary Measure K funds approved by the Board in December 2018. District 2 indicates that this organization is either a public agency operating within the county or a nonprofit organization registered and in good standing with the California Attorney General. District 2 indicates that the sponsoring Board member, member’s family, and member’s supervisorial staff do not serve as an officer, director, or play a policy role for the grantee organization.
PROJECT SUMMARY:
This is a request to authorize a grant to Sitike Counseling Center (“Sitike”), and resulting grant agreement, in an amount not to exceed $50,000 to provide for Break the Cycle batterer intervention program (BIP) expansion. The County Executive’s Office will administer and manage the proposed agreement.
District 2 indicates that this organization has not previously received Measure K district-discretionary funding.
Sitike Counseling Center was established in 1988 to provide specialized treatment and recovery services for those affected by violence, addiction, and mental illness. Sitike provides services including outpatient treatment for those recovering from alcohol and drug addiction, specific comprehensive programming to help women in recovery, first offender DUI reduction counseling and education, and more.
With this funding, Sitike specifically seeks to expand its Break the Cycle program, which fills a crucial gap as a BIP that seeks to reduce abusive behaviors by abusers. Break the Cycle teaches participants the skills they need to work through their anger and end their violence. Sitike’s programming examines belief systems, gender roles, socialization, the nature of violence, the dynamics of power and control, and the effects of abuse on children and others. Sitike believes and research supports that abusive behaviors are a learned response and that participants can improve their relationships with their partners, children, family, friends, and community and themselves by learning to recognize, stop, and unlearn violent behavior. Research indicates that holding batterers accountable through non-punitive measures is highly effective in reducing abusive behaviors and recidivism. To strengthen and expand the Break the Cycle program, Sitike has identified a need for additional bilingual counseling staff.
Break the Cycle is offered as both a 16-week program and a 52-week program and accepts self-referrals and referrals from Child and Family Services and Probation. The program is certified by the San Mateo County Probation Department.
District 2 has informed the grantee organization that this grant is one-time only, and that the grantee organization will need to find other sources of funding going forward.
Specifically, Sitike proposes to use the grant funds as follows:
• Service Expansion/Staff Salary: Sitike will expand existing BIP programming to include case management and individual counseling as clinically indicated.
• Staff Training: all staff will be trained in an initial 40-hour Core Batterer Intervention Facilitator Training Course or the Advanced Batterer Intervention Training.
• Marketing & Promotion: Sitike will increase public awareness of Break the Cycle to increase the number of participants enrolled in the program.
Materials & Supplies; Equipment & Technology: Support program expansion through language-accessible materials and services. Investment in this area ensures that Sitike can meet the community’s needs and ensures that everyone who needs treatment can access it.The Measure K funds will be expended by June 30, 2025.
Budget:
• Salary and Benefits - $37,000.00
• Staff Training - $6,000.00
• Equipment & Technology - $2,000.00
• Marketing & Promotion - $2,000.00
• Materials & Supplies - $3,000.00
Total Measure K Request: Not to Exceed $50,000
The release of funds will be contingent on the execution of an agreement providing for the County’s confirmation of the expenditure of funds for the purposes stated herein. The County will disburse the funds to the following organization for the purposes described above:
Sitike Counseling Center
306 Spruce Ave
South San Francisco, CA 94080
Keri Kirby
kkirby@sitike.org
650-589-9305
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
|
Description |
Target |
|
By the end of the grant period, Sitike will have trained 100% of its clinical staff in either A) the initial Batterer Intervention Training or B) the Advanced Batterer Intervention Training. |
Complete |
|
100% of clients admitted to the program will be screened for mental health and substance abuse care needs. |
Complete |
|
100% of clients who speak a threshold language (English, Spanish, Chinese, and Tagalog) will be provided with services in their preferred language. |
Complete |
|
No less than 65% of participants will have a successful treatment discharge, meaning completion of all program requirements and a reduction of violent behaviors/no additional domestic violence charges. |
Complete |
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the agreement and resolution as to form.
EQUITY IMPACT:
Domestic violence disproportionately impacts women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those experiencing economic hardships. Breaking the cycle of domestic violence reduces not only direct physical violence, but indirect effects such as higher rates of homelessness and intergenerational trauma, especially for marginalized groups. Additionally, BIPs help support rehabilitation and divert offenders from prisons, where people of color are disproportionately represented. Break the Cycle is provided in both English and Spanish, and serves clients of all genders, increasing access for Spanish-speaking individuals and members of the LGBTQ+ community who might not otherwise enroll in a BIP.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are sufficient Measure K funds for this specific FY 2024-25 Measure K request. These funds are budgeted in the Non-Departmental Services FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget.