Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Nicole Pollack, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Measure K: Agreement with Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution waving the Request for Proposals process, and authorizing an agreement with Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse to provide legal support services to domestic violence survivors for the term of July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2021, for a total obligation amount not to exceed $154,500.
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BACKGROUND:
Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA) works in collaboration with the Human Services Agency (HSA) and community partners to provide services to survivors of domestic violence. CORA utilizes a trauma-informed approach to provide a wide array of services to survivors, including homeless and housing support services, mental health services, legal services, a crisis hotline, and community education.
For survivors of domestic violence, navigating the legal system can be a challenging process. With legal support services, however, survivors may be able to more effectively navigate restraining orders, child custody, and other legal issues in a way that supports their own safety and well-being as well as the safety and well-being of their families.
DISCUSSION:
This agreement will provide comprehensive legal services to survivors of domestic violence which, in collaboration with County and other community programs, will form a safety net of services for survivors. Under this Agreement, CORA’s legal team will provide supportive services to survivors of domestic violence. 775 clients will receive direct legal services such as representation by an attorney in a domestic violence family law case, or preparation and support for legal proceedings. Services will be provided in a trauma informed manner that supports the client’s safety plan and aligns to other domestic violence survivor services that the clients may receive.
HSA recommends the Board waive the Request for Proposals process because CORA is the only agency in San Mateo County specializing in, and solely dedicated to, serving survivors of domestic violence and should therefore be considered a sole source.
This resolution contains the County’s standard provisions allowing amendments of the County’s fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
The agreement and resolution have been reviewed and approved by county Counsel as to form.
This agreement contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Healthy Community by assisting survivors of domestic violence in navigating the legal system so that they can avail themselves of restraining orders and other legal protections to help keep themselves and their families safe. It is anticipated that for FY 2019-20 and FY 2020-21, 85% of clients who receive legal representation services will demonstrate an increased understanding of their legal options (based on a pre and post-test score). In addition, CORA will provide 30 clients with full representation in court and 45 clients with accompaniment (hearing, mediation appointment, etc.) in FY 2019-20. The number of clients is expected to increase to 35 and 50 respectively for FY 2020-21. Accompaniment and emotional support will be provided in restraining order hearings, criminal proceedings, divorce proceedings, and child custody hearings and mediation appointments.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2019-20 Target |
FY 2020-21 Target |
|
Percentage of clients receiving legal representation services who increase their understanding of legal options (based on a pre and post-test score). |
85% |
85% |
|
Number of clients that will receive full representation in court or accompaniment (hearing, mediation appointment, etc.) |
30 (full representation) 45 (accompaniment) |
35 (full representation) 50 (accompaniment) |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of this agreement is from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021, for a total obligation amount not exceed $154,500. This agreement is 100% Net County Cost and funded through Measure K Sales and Use tax. Appropriation for this funding was included in the FY 2019-20 Recommended Budget and will be included in the FY 2020-21 Recommended Budget.