COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Probation Department

DATE:

April 12, 2004

BOARD MEETING DATE:

April 20, 2004

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Loren Buddress, Chief Probation Officer

SUBJECT:

Resolution Waiving the Request for Proposal Process and Authorizing the President of the Board of Supervisors to Execute an Agreement with Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA)

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution waiving the Request for Proposal process and authorizing the President of the Board of Supervisors to execute an agreement with Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA).

Background

California Welfare and Institutions Code (W&I), Division 9, Part 6, Chapter 5, the Domestic Violence Centers Act declares that there is a present and growing need to develop innovative strategies and services which will ameliorate and reduce the trauma of domestic violence. The Act creates a domestic violence trust fund and pursuant to Penal Code 1203.097, funds collected from specified defendants are placed in that fund. The fees collected in this fund shall be disbursed to approved programs for the purpose of aiding victims of domestic violence.

Discussion

In response to the Domestic Violence Centers Act, we are asking you to approve an agreement with Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA). CORA is the only agency in the county with services solely dedicated to serving those affected by domestic violence meeting the requirements detailed in the Domestic Violence Act, including emergency shelter, transitional housing, legal representation, advice and accompaniment, a 24-hour hotline, counseling, and community outreach. We are therefore also requesting that you waive the Request for Proposal (RFP) process.

In 2002-03, CORA:

·

Received 3,761 crisis calls

·

Housed 189 survivors and their children in CORA's Emergency Shelter and Transitional Housing programs

·

Assisted 1,475 victims of domestic violence referred by local law enforcement agencies

·

Provided legal assistance with temporary restraining orders and protective and/or custody orders for 181 survivors

·

Conducted outreach and education to over 10,000 teenaged and adult members of the San Mateo County community.

In September of 2003, the county's two domestic violence agencies, Sor Juana Ines and the Center for Domestic Violence Prevention merged to form a new agency, Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA). This action strengthened the overall delivery of services. The first phase of the merger integrated programs, identified new leadership, acquired a new name, and doubled the size of the board.

This agreement supports the second phase of the merger, will solidify CORA's offerings to the domestic violence community, and will begin to fill gaps that are critical to ensuring full accessibility for those who turn to CORA for help.

Over a three-year period, this agreement will enable CORA to:

1)

Strengthen and enhance CORA's existing counseling and advocacy services provided by CORA's 24-hour programs including Client Support Services, Emergency Response Program and CORA's Housing Program;

2)

Provide support for the integration of services of the new combined agency; and

3)

Re-institute a Clinical Supervisor to enhance CORA's Client Support Services in order to address the need for services for children who come from homes where domestic violence is present.

Performance Measures

Performance measures for this agreement are as follows:

Client Services & Emergency Response Program (Number of Persons Served)

2002-03 Actual

2003-04 Projected

2004-05 Projected

2005-06 Projected

Crisis line contacts

3,761

3,850

4,100

4,150

Individual Counseling Services

546

580

745

800

Emergency Response Follow-Up Calls

1,500

1,550

1,850

1,900

Vision Alignment

The agreement with CORA keeps the commitments of:

A)

Realizing the potential of our diverse population and goal number 1: Our diverse population works well together to build strong communities, effective government and a prosperous economy; and

B)

Ensuring basic health and safety for all and goal numbers 7: Maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors, and 8: Help vulnerable people-the aged, disabled, mentally ill, at-risk youth and others-achieve a better quality of life.

Term and Fiscal Impact

The term of the agreement is three years, from January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2006. The agreement maximum for three years is $316,500. The first-year amount available in the Domestic Violence Trust Fund through Penal Code 1203.097 is $164,000. The anticipated amounts for the second and third years of this agreement are $75,000 and $77,500 respectively. There is no net county cost as a result of this agreement.

County Counsel and Risk Management have approved this agreement. CORA complies with San Mateo County's Equal Benefits Compliance and the appropriate declaration has been signed.