Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P Callagy, County Executive
Subject: Measure K: Second Amendment to the Agreement with Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA) for the Domestic Violence Emergency Response Team Program
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing a second amendment to the Agreement with Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA) for the Domestic Violence Emergency Response Team (DVERT) Program, extending the term of the Agreement through December 31, 2027, and increasing the maximum fiscal obligation under the Agreement by $381,149, for a new total amount not to exceed $1,181,149 funded by Measure K.
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BACKGROUND:
Domestic violence remains a significant public health and safety issue in San Mateo County, impacting over 10,000 residents annually. In December 2023 to respond to the urgent need for improved support and intervention, this Board of Supervisors authorized and directed the County Executive to design and implement a Domestic Violence Co-Response Pilot Program, in which trained survivor advocates would be embedded within law enforcement agencies to provide immediate crisis intervention alongside officers responding to domestic violence incidents. Each survivor advocate in partnership with law enforcement responders would assist in the first response by providing early and specialized engagement, intervention, guidance, and connection to support services for those involved. The proposed program recognized the importance of ongoing support for victims beyond the initial response, a capacity that survivor advocates can uniquely provide, complementing law enforcement’s efforts.
On June 25, 2024, this Board authorized an agreement with CORA to administer the Domestic Violence Emergency Response Team (DVERT) Program for a term from September 5, 2024, through December 31, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $800,000 (Resolution No. 080471). On July 13, 2025, the parties executed a First Amendment to reallocate the budget, with no change to the term or not-to-exceed amount. The County also executed an agreement with RDA Consulting, SPC, to evaluate the program.
CORA has been administering the DVERT Program since September 2024, providing three full-time survivor advocates co-located at the North Fair Oaks Sheriff’s Office Substation, the Daly City Police Department, and the San Mateo Police Department, respectively. Advocates respond to domestic violence incidents alongside law enforcement, offering immediate crisis intervention, safety planning, and connections to legal assistance, emergency shelter, and other community resources.
The formal program evaluation will be completed in Fall 2026. Early program data and feedback from law enforcement partners indicate that DVERT has already demonstrated meaningful impact in connecting survivors with services and improving the likelihood victim-survivors engage in services.
DISCUSSION:
This proposed Second Amendment would extend the contract term through December 31, 2027, and increase the maximum fiscal obligation by $381,149, for a new total not to exceed $1,181,149, and would allow the pilot program to continue operating while the County evaluates outcomes. In connection with the extension, Exhibit A (the scope of work) has been revised to clarify that once the independent program evaluator has completed the evaluation, CORA will take over all data tracking, outcome measuring, and reporting responsibilities. Exhibit B (regarding payment) has also been revised to incorporate payment information through December 31, 2027.
The County Attorney's Office has reviewed and approved the resolution and amendment as to form.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
The DVERT Program serves residents of North Fair Oaks, Daly City, and the City of San Mateo, jurisdictions selected in part due to their multicultural and multilingual populations. Efforts are made to hire multilingual advocates and telephonic interpretation services are provided to address language barriers.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Second Amendment to the Agreement increases the maximum amount paid by the County under the Agreement by $381,149, to a total amount not to exceed $1,181,149.00. The increase in costs will be covered by Measure K funds.