Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute Renewal and Amendment No.1 to Agreement A-164043 between the County of Monterey and Monterey County Rape Crisis Center (MCRCC) to provide in-person advocate accompaniment during evidentiary exams, ongoing support services, and resource connection for survivors of sexual assault at no cost to the County of Monterey, and extend the term an additional three (3) years, for the revised full Agreement term of October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2028;
b. Approve non-standard insurance provisions in the Renewal and Amendment No.1 as recommended by the Director of Health Services; and
c. Authorize the Contracts and Purchasing Officer or designee to sign up to three future amendments to the Agreement, provided that these amendments do not substantially change the service described in the Agreement, with no exchange of funds, and approval from the Office of the County Counsel.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute Renewal and Amendment No.1 to Agreement A-164043 between the County of Monterey and Monterey County Rape Crisis Center (MCRCC) to provide in-person advocate accompaniment during evidentiary exams, ongoing support services, and resource connection for survivors of sexual assault at no cost to the County of Monterey, and extend the term an additional three (3) years, for the revised full Agreement term of October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2028;
b. Approve non-standard insurance provisions in the Renewal and Amendment No.1 as recommended by the Director of Health Services; and
c. Authorize the Contracts and Purchasing Officer or designee to sign up to three future amendments to the Agreement, provided that these amendments do not substantially change the service described in the Agreement, with no exchange of funds, and approval from the Office of the County Counsel.
SUMMARY:
The acronym “SART” (Sexual Assault Response Team) is used to identify the multidisciplinary team (MDT) comprised of trained sexual assault counselors, responding law enforcement agents, and sexual assault forensic examiners (SAFE) when an evidentiary exam is requested for suspected sexual assault or abuse. The health care sector of SART is currently under the administration of the County of Monterey Health Department (MCHD). MCHD contracts with a private physician-owned medical group that employs the SAFEs who conduct the evidentiary exams.
DISCUSSION:
In August of 1998, Monterey County implemented the first multidisciplinary SART. SAFEs were provided by other agencies until July 2007, when MCHD became the program administrator. MCRCC and SAFEs have continued to work cooperatively since that time. MCRCC’s sexual assault counselors respond to requests for evidentiary exams along with the SAFEs to offer legally mandated advocacy services for victims who report sexual assault. MCRCC responders are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to accompany victims when an evidentiary exam is conducted by a SAFE.
The MCRCC supplies written materials, snacks, and comfort objects that are offered by the SAFE to the victim at the time of an evidentiary exam. In addition, MCRCC personnel work both independently and in conjunction with the SAFEs to provide education to various sectors of the MDT. The MCRCC and SAFEs are available to debrief staff and offer informational and emotional support to the extended MDT. MCRCC employees participate in case reviews with both the SAFEs and the extended MDT and are a source of consultation for referrals for survivors of sexual assault and commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC).
The Health Department has an ongoing need for services under the Agreement beyond its expiration date of September 30, 2025. Although an amendment was drafted prior to the expiration, negotiations with the Contractor over additional terms extended the process, ultimately resulting in the Agreement’s expiration.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
The Offices of the County Counsel and Auditor-Controller have reviewed and approved this agreement as to legal and fiscal provisions, respectively.
FINANCING:
There is no exchange of funds with this agreement. There are sufficient appropriations in the Health Department’s (001-4000-8124-HEA003) FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
This agreement aligns with the Strategic Plan Goal Safe and Resilient Communities, Key Objective Justice: Provide for essential justice-focused activities by providing support services to survivors of sexual assault during evidentiary exams, which gather forensic evidence that can inform law enforcement's prosecution of offenders.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic:
____ Well-Being and Quality of Life
____ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
X Safe and Resilient Communities
____ Diverse and Thriving Economy
____ Dynamic organization and Employer of Choice
____ Administrative
Prepared by: Patricia Velarde, Management Analyst II, 796-1377
Approved by: Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachments:
Board Report
Renewal and Amendment No.1
Board Order
Executed Agreement