COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

DATE:

July 22, 2005

BOARD MEETING DATE:

August 9, 2005

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

James P. Fox, District Attorney

SUBJECT:

Application for Renewal of the Special Emphasis Grant

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution authorizing the District Attorney to submit a grant application to the California Office of Emergency Services in the amount of $110,000 for the Special Emphasis Project for FY2005-06 and to execute the Grant Award Agreement to receive such funds.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.

Goal 8: Help vulnerable people – the aged, disabled, mentally ill, at risk youth and others – achieve a better quality of life.

The Special Emphasis Project contributes to this commitment and goal by providing assistance to minority crime victims residing in the target communities of the southeast section of Redwood City, East Palo Alto and East Menlo Park.

BACKGROUND:

In 1990, the Probation Department submitted a grant proposal to the California Office of Criminal Justice Planning (OCJP), requesting funds to operate a Special Emphasis Project in conjunction with the County’s already established Victim/Witness Program. In February 2002, the Project became a division of the District Attorney’s Office. The Special Emphasis Grants were administered by OCJP until December 31, 2003. Effective January 1, 2004, the authority to award Special Emphasis Grants was transferred to the California Office of Emergency Services (OES). This Board has authorized the submission of a Special Emphasis Grant application every year since 1991 to support this intensive outreach project to minority crime victims in the aforementioned target communities.

DISCUSSION:

An application is required each year to receive federal funds through the OES. The Special Emphasis Project provides services to minority victims of violent crime, who reside in the target communities located in the southern part of San Mateo County. The goal of the project is to provide services to these victims, which include, but are not limited to, crisis intervention, emergency assistance, counseling referrals and inter-agency assistance/coordination.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Funding for this program includes salaries and benefits for two Victim Advocates. For FY2005-06, the OES requires submission of a proposed budget totaling $137,500, with OES funding $110,000, and the County of San Mateo providing a 20% match of $27,500. This is the maximum grant amount allowed and remains the same as in previous years. The OES funding will cover 100% of the salaries and 31% of the benefits of the Advocates. An additional 52% of their benefits are covered by match funds. This results in a total projected net county cost of $56,069 for FY 2005-2006. Funds have been included in the FY2005-06 Recommended Budget to cover these additional costs.