Acceptance of the FY 2010 The Community-Defined Solutions to Violence Against Women Program grant will assist in establishing the San Mateo County Domestic Violence Firearms Compliance and Legal Advocacy (FCLA) Program. The program will serve to increase victim safety and offender accountability through firearms compliance and provide legal advocacy services to victims in the County.
Acceptance of this grant will allow for the collaboration of the Sheriff’s Office, CORA (Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse), Bay Area Legal Aid (BayLegal), and Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County to: 1) systematically and fully enforce California’s gun laws pertaining to restrained parties; 2) improve the seamlessness of the continuum of services; 3) strengthen legal advocacy for each victim by providing early and continuing information, advocacy and support; and 4) increase batterer accountability by enhancing opportunities for reporting and prosecuting domestic violence crimes.
This will be accomplished by assigning one unclassified Deputy Sheriff (Detective) to track, investigate and enforce Domestic Violence Protective Court Orders directing seizure and storage of firearms surrendered or confiscated from persons subject to court ordered firearms prohibition. CORA will provide victim-centered services to victims of domestic violence who are seeking civil restraining orders and/or who are witnesses in criminal domestic violence prosecutions. BayLegal will provide education on the Domestic Violence Prevention Act (DVPA) restraining order action process. Legal Aid will provide coordination for pro bono representation to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking seeking civil restraining orders.
The grant award is for an amount totaling $675,000 over a two year period commencing October 1, 2010 to September 30, 2012. The Salary Ordinance will add one (1) unclassified Deputy Sheriff (Detective) position which will be fully funded by the grant. Grant funding will also be used for contracted services provided by CORA, BayLegal and Legal Aid.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Resolution and Ordinance as to form.
Approval of this grant award contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Healthy Community by ensuring victim safety and offender accountability.
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