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COUNTY OF SAN MATEO
Inter-Departmental Correspondence
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DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
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DATE:
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May 14, 2007
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BOARD MEETING DATE:
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June 5, 2007
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SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:
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None
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VOTE REQUIRED:
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Majority
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TO:
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Honorable Board of Supervisors
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FROM:
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James P. Fox, District Attorney
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SUBJECT:
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Application for Renewal of the Victim/Witness Grant
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RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing the District Attorney to submit a grant application to the California Office of Emergency Services in the amount of $376,302 for the Victim/Witness Program for FY2007-08 and to execute the Grant Award Agreement to receive such funds.
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VISION ALIGNMENT:
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Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.
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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 all crime victims within San Mateo County.
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BACKGROUND:
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In 1974, the Probation Department submitted a grant proposal to the California Office of Criminal Justice Planning (OCJP), requesting funds to operate the Victim/Witness Program. In February 2002, the program became a division of the District Attorney’s Office. The program offers comprehensive assistance to victims and witnesses of violent crimes. The California Office of Criminal Justice Planning administered this program since it was implemented; however, effective January 1, 2004, this grant award was transferred to the California Office of Emergency Services (OES). The Board has authorized the submission of a grant application every year since 1975.
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DISCUSSION:
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An application is required each year to receive state funds through the OES. The daily program functions are achieved with the assistance of volunteers and student interns. The Victim/Witness Assistance Program received over 3,600 victim referrals from the law enforcement agencies in the county in 2006 and provided services to over 1,700 victims this past calendar year. Examples of the type of services provided included: crisis intervention; emergency assistance; resource and referral assistance; claims assistance; and court escort/support. We assisted over 350 domestic violence victims, over 275 sexual assault victims (adult & children), and approximately 260 assault victims. In addition to the local law enforcement agencies within the county, program staff works closely with the Keller Center, CORA, Rape Trauma Services, and a variety of other county agencies that provide services to victims. Staff members also regularly participate on the Child Sexual Abuse Multi-Disciplinary Team, the Sexual Assault Task Force and the Domestic Violence Death Review Team.
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FISCAL IMPACT:
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The grant application for fiscal year 2007-08 remains at $376,302. This is the maximum grant amount allowed and remains the same as in previous years. Due to increases in salaries and benefits and operating costs, the actual cost of this program is projected to exceed the maximum grant amount. This results in a total projected net county cost of $137,173. Funds have been included in the FY2007-08 Recommended Budget to cover these additional costs.
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