Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health, the District Attorney, and the Chief Executive Officer for Natividad Medical Center to execute a Memorandum of Understanding between the County of Monterey and community Steering Committee members of the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), for the purpose of providing a coordinated community response to the needs of survivors of sexual assault, effective retroactive to November 1, 2022, to October 31, 2025, or amend MOU; and
b. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to approve up to three (3) future amendments to the Memorandum of Understanding that does not significantly change the scope of services.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health, the District Attorney, and the Chief Executive Officer for Natividad Medical Center, to execute a Memorandum of Understanding between the County of Monterey and community Steering Committee members of the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) (Mee Memorial Healthcare System, Montage Health Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP), Monterey County Rape Crisis Center (MCRCC), Monterey County Chief Law Enforcement Officers Association (MCCLEOA), and Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System (SVMH), for the purpose of providing a coordinated community response to the needs of survivors of sexual assault, effective retroactive to November 1, 2022 to October 31, 2025 or amend MOU; and
b. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to approve up to three (3) future amendments to the Memorandum of Understanding that does not significantly change the scope of services.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Monterey County Health Department (MCHD) has operated the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Program since July 1, 2007. SART includes highly trained health professionals who perform forensic examination and treatment of individuals, both adults and children, who are suspected to have been the victims of sexual assault. These examiners are called upon to recover evidence based on these examinations and provide testimony during court proceedings. Local Law Enforcement Agencies contract with MCHD to provide these services.
The SART Steering Committee consists of membership comprised of one administrator/executive for each of the following agencies: Mee Memorial Healthcare System, Montage Health Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP), Monterey County Rape Crisis Center (MCRCC), Monterey County District Attorney’s Office, Monterey County Chief Law Enforcement Officers Association (MCCLEOA), Natividad Medical Center, Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System (SVMH), and County of Monterey, Health Department. The SART Steering Committee will meet on a regular basis to coordinate efforts among its members to provide services to survivors of sexual assault, perform ongoing evaluation of the SART program, and will meet to discuss and secure agreed upon funding.
Hospitals to provide either in-kind services or a commitment of financial assistance to be paid annually to the County of Monterey Health Department to support the financial viability of the SART Program. In-kind services include examination facilities in both the Emergency Department and the Child Advocacy Center, equipment, medications, and all supplies for evidentiary/forensic examination requested by Monterey County local Law Enforcement Agencies.
The MOU is late in being presented to the Board of Supervisors and is retroactive to November 1, 2022 due to continued discussions confirming the financial commitment sum, and coordination of a SART Steering Committee meeting with all applicable members to review and finalize the MOU.
This work supports the Monterey County Health Department 2018-2022 Strategic Plan Goals: 3. Ensure access to culturally and linguistically appropriate, customer-friendly, quality health services; and 4. Engage MCHD workforce and improve operational functions to meet current and developing population health needs. It also supports one of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 2. Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community; 4. Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems; 6. Enforces laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety; and 7. Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel and the Auditor-Controller have reviewed and approved this Agreement as to form and fiscal provisions, respectively.
FINANCING:
The revenue and appropriations for this MOU are included in the Health Departments (8438-HEA014) Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23 Adopted Budget and the associated revenue and appropriations for future years will be included in the respective FY’s Requested Budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
☐Economic Development:
• Through collaboration, strengthen economic development to ensure a diversified and healthy economy.
☐Administration:
• Promote an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management and is recognized for responsiveness, strong customer orientation, accountability and transparency.
☒Health & Human Services:
• Improve health and quality of life through County supported policies, programs, and services; promoting access to equitable opportunities for healthy choices and healthy environments in collaboration with communities.
☐Infrastructure:
• Plan and develop a sustainable, physical infrastructure that improves the quality of life for County residents and supports economic development results.
☐Public Safety:
• Create a safe environment for people to achieve their potential, leading businesses and communities to thrive and grow by reducing violent crimes as well as crimes in general.
Prepared by: Faye Maja Bates, Clinic Nurse Practitioner, SART Coordinator, 755-4562
Approved by:
______________________________Date:_________
Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health, 755-4526
_____________________________Date:___________
Jeannine M. Pacioni, District Attorney, 755-5470
_____________________________Date:___________
Charles R. Harris, CEO, Natividad Medical Center, 783-2504
Attachments:
Board Report
Memorandum of Understanding