COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Probation Department

DATE:

January 29, 2007

BOARD MEETING DATE:

February 13, 2007

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Loren Buddress, Chief Probation Officer

SUBJECT:

Agreement with Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA) to provide Domestic Violence services countywide for 2007-2009

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) to provide domestic violence treatment and support services for the term of three years, January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2009, not to exceed $225,000.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Realize the potential of our diverse population.

Goal 1: Our diverse population works well together to build strong communities, effective government and a prosperous economy.

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.

Goal 7: Maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors.

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

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Performance measures for this agreement are as follows:

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

2005-06

Actual

2006-07

Projected

2007-08

Projected

2008-09

Projected

Crisis Line Contacts

2,313

2,300

2,400

2,500

Individual Counseling Services

775

800

840

880

Emergency Response Follow-Up Calls

3,504

1,800

1,900

2,000

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 created 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 are to be disbursed for approved programs for the purpose of aiding victims of domestic violence. Over the last three years disbursements have been made to CORA per the Board of Supervisors original direction as of April 20, 2004.

DISCUSSION:

In response to the Domestic Violence Centers Act, and our ongoing need to offer a full range of domestic violence services, we are asking you to renew our agreement with 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. The term of the agreement is three years, from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2009. The agreement amount is not to exceed $225,000, or, if this amount is not realized in the trust fund, then the entire amount that accrues to the trust fund up to $225,000 shall be disbursed. The first-year amount available in the Domestic Violence Trust Fund through Penal Code 1203.097 is $75,000. The anticipated amount for the second and third years of this agreement is $75,000 each year, provided that funds are available at the time of disbursement.

In 2005-06 CORA

• Received 2,313 crisis call

• Housed 142 survivors and their children in CORA’s Emergency Shelter and Transitional Housing Programs

• Provided legal assistance with temporary restraining orders and protective and/or custody orders for 150 survivors

• Assisted 2,780 victims of domestic violence referred by local law enforcement agencies

• Conducted outreach and education to over 2,822 teenaged and adult members of the San Mateo County community

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. Continue to support the integration of services through implantation of supportive counseling, cultural competency training and proper documentation of caseload. The addition of a new database will allow a tracking mechanism and documentation of services provided.

Hire a Marriage and Family Therapist to implement clinical counseling services for children and parenting workshops.

FISCAL IMPACT:

All funding for this agreement is provided solely out of the Domestic Violence Trust fund. There is no net county cost as a result of executing 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.