COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

District Attorney’s Office

 

DATE:

January 7, 2011

BOARD MEETING DATE:

January 25, 2011

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Stephen M. Wagstaffe, District Attorney

SUBJECT

Application for Renewal of the Victim/Witness Grant

 

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution authorizing the District Attorney to:

 

A)

Submit a grant application to the California Emergency Management Agency for the provision of funding for its Victim/Witness Assistance Program for FY 2010-11 in the amount of $380,081, $294,802 is Net County Cost

 

B)

Execute the grant award agreement including any extensions or amendments thereof which do not require commitment of County funds

 

BACKGROUND:

In 1974, the County submitted a grant proposal to the California Office of Criminal Justice Planning (OCJP), requesting funds to operate a Victim/Witness Program. The Victim/Witness Program offers comprehensive assistance to victims and witnesses of violent crime. The County has received funding for the program and the Board has authorized the submission of a grant application every year since 1974. The California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) now administers the grant application.

 

DISCUSSION:

A yearly grant application is required to receive state and federal funds through the state agency designated to administer these grants. Four advocates, one administrative secretary and a manager who has responsibility for all victim services, staff the Victim Center Program. Two additional advocates have worked under a Special Emphasis Grant to serve victims residing in the southern part of the county. Volunteers and/or student interns are utilized to further ensure that all mandatory services are met.

The Program received over 3,600 victim referrals from law enforcement agencies in fiscal year 2009-10, and provided services to over 3,300 new victims. Services provided include but are not limited to crisis intervention, emergency assistance, resource and referral assistance, claims assistance and court/escort support. The Program assisted over 850 Domestic Violence victims, over 650 victims of Assault and/or Battery, and over 450 victims of Sexual Assault (adults & children). The Program works collaboratively with the Keller Center, Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA), Rape Trauma Services (RTS), Children & Family Services, and various other agencies that provide assistance to crime victims. Approval of this resolution contributes to the Shared Vision of a Healthy Community by providing comprehensive assistance to victims of violent crimes.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

The state and federal funding awarded for FY 2010-11 is $380,081. The total expected cost of the program is $674,883, resulting in a projected net county cost of $294,802. Funds have been included in the FY 2010-11 Recommended Budget to cover these additional costs.