COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

District Attorney’s Office

DATE:

July 22, 2003

BOARD MEETING DATE:

August 12, 2003

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

James P. Fox, District Attorney

SUBJECT:

Application for Renewal of Victim/Witness Program Grant for FY2003-2004, 2004-2005, 2005-2006

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution authorizing the District Attorney’s Office to submit an application for and execute a three year Victim/Witness Grant Award Agreement.

Background

The Victim/Witness Program was implemented in San Mateo County in 1974. It was a division of the Adult Probation Department until February 2002, and then became a division of the District Attorney’s Office. The program offers comprehensive assistance to victims and witnesses of violent crimes.

Discussion

The District Attorney’s Office has applied for continued State funding through an Office of Criminal Justice Grant. The amount allocated to San Mateo County for fiscal year 2003-2004 is $376,302. Funding for fiscal years 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 will vary depending on the amount available in the California Victim Fund.

The funding level remains the same as last fiscal year, and allows us to operate the program, without additional county cost. The baseline functions of the program remain in operation with the assistance of volunteers and Senior Employment Program trainees.

County Counsel has reviewed the grant, and finds no prohibitive terms or conditions.

Vision Alignment

The Victim/Witness Assistance Program provides assistance to all crime victims within San Mateo County in conjunction with Goal #8: Help vulnerable people – the aged, disabled, mentally ill, at-risk youth and others – achieve a better quality of life. The goal of the program is to reduce the trauma of crime, and to facilitate quicker recovery for a victim.

Fiscal Impact

Since the budget for the Victim/Witness Assistance Program is limited to available grant funds, expenditure of these funds are fully reimbursable with no Net County Cost.