COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

DATE:

July 5, 2006

BOARD MEETING DATE:

August 1, 2006

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 Program for FY2006-07 and to execute the Grant Award Agreement to receive such funds.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.

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

The Victim/Witness Assistance Program 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 Program became a division of the District Attorney’s Office. The Special Emphasis Grants were administered by OCJP until December 31, 2003. The authority to award Special Emphasis Grants was transferred to the California Office of Emergency Services (OES), effective January 1, 2004. The 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 Program 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 program is to provide services, 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 FY2006-07, 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 of the two Program Advocates, but only benefits for one of the Advocates. The additional benefits are covered by match funds. All Operating Expenses will be assumed by the District Attorney’s Office. This results in a total projected net county cost of $20,428, over and above the VOCA match, for a total net county cost of $47,928. Funds have been included in the FY2006-07 Recommended Budget to cover these additional costs.