Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Stephen M. Wagstaffe, District Attorney
Subject: Grant Award Agreements with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the Victim/Witness Assistance Program
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing the District Attorney to submit annual grant applications and execute grant agreements with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the Victim/Witness Assistance Program for the period of October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021, October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023.
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BACKGROUND:
The County has received funding for the Victim/Witness Assistance Program since 1974 from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). Cal OES requires the County Board of Supervisors to approve the application and executed agreement for grant funds for Victim/Witness Assistance Program. The District Attorney will submit an application for the grant funds for the period of October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021. Because Cal OES requires a new application and executed agreement each year, for the sake of efficiency, the District Attorney seeks Board approval to submit a grant application and execute a grant award agreement for the period of October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023.
DISCUSSION:
The Victim/Witness Assistance Program was established in 1974. The Program, administered at the local level by the Office of the District Attorney, provides comprehensive services to diminish the adverse effects of crime on victims and their families. Services include, but are not limited to, crisis intervention, emergency assistance, resource and referral assistance, claims assistance and court/escort support. The Program provides services to victims of child abuse, elder abuse, false imprisonment, kidnapping and attempted kidnapping, criminal threats, robbery and attempted robbery, hit and run, drunk driving and driving under the influence, attempted homicide as well as survivors of homicide victims. The Program works collaboratively with the Keller Center, Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse, Rape Trauma Services, Children & Family Services, and various other agencies that provide assistance to crime victims.
There are several notable trends in San Mateo County that continue to impact crime victim services in our community, such as the lack of affordable community based counseling agencies as well as a lack of an adequate number of shelter beds designated for crime victims.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Resolution as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The current grant funding received from Cal OES for the period of October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020 is $926,901. The funds for this existing grant are included in the District Attorney’s Office FY2020-21 Adopted Budget.