Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute a non-standard MOA with The YWCA and the County of Monterey Health Department Sexual Assault Response Team (“SART”) Program to work together toward the mutual goal of providing maximum available assistance for adolescents and adult victims of domestic violence residing in Monterey County, retroactive to October 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023; and
b. Approve non-standard risk provisions in the MOA as recommended by the Director of Health Services; and
c. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to sign up to three (3) future amendments to this Agreement where the amendments do not significantly change the scope of work and with no exchange of funds.
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 a non-standard MOA with The YWCA and the County of Monterey Health Department Sexual Assault Response Team (“SART”) Program to work together toward the mutual goal of providing maximum available assistance for adolescents and adult victims of domestic violence residing in Monterey County, retroactive to October 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023; and
b. Approve non-standard risk provisions in the MOA as recommended by the Director of Health Services; and
c. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to sign up to three (3) future amendments to this Agreement where the amendments do not significantly change the scope of work and with no exchange of funds.
SUMMARY DISCUSSION:
The County of Monterey Health Department (MCHD) currently operates the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART). The SART program consists of highly trained health professionals who perform forensic medical examinations for individuals, both adults and adolescents, who are suspected to have been the victims of sexual assault. These examiners are called upon to recover evidence based on examinations and provide testimony during court proceedings.
Recently, the Governor signed State Assembly Bill 2185, which recommends that counties provide medical forensic exams for victims of domestic violence (DV). Although the bill stops short of requiring counties to provide these services, the MCHD and SART recognize that DV and intimate partner violence (IPV) are significant issues that are associated with many negative outcomes on both individual and community levels. In addition, recent research has shown that survivors of DV/IPV who experience strangulation are at increased risk for serious health sequela as well as future violence. During the months of October through December of 2023, the SART program will conduct a pilot project that assesses the feasibility of providing forensic medical exams to DV survivors who report strangulation.
In accordance with AB 2185, during the pilot project the MCHD will contract with the YWCA of Monterey County to provide in person advocacy services during the forensic examination. The SART advocate will provide the survivor with critical emotional support, education, and connection to resources as well as create a personalized safety plan. By implementing this pilot project in cooperation with the YWCA of Monterey County, the SART Program hopes to improve outcomes for victims of DV and IPV by providing a patient centered and coordinated response in which medical care is provided, forensic evidence is collected and preserved, and the patient is connected with ongoing support services.
This work supports the Monterey County Health Department 2018-2022 Strategic Plan Goals: 1. Empower the community to improve health; 2. Enhance public health and safety through prevention; and 3. Ensure access to culturally and linguistically appropriate, customer-friendly, quality health services. It also supports three of the ten essential public health services: 3. Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues; 7. Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable; and 8. Assure competent public and personal health care workforce.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of the County Counsel has reviewed and approved this Agreement as to legal form. Auditor-Controller has reviewed and approved this Agreement as to fiscal provisions.
FINANCING:
There is no exchange of funds between the County and YWCA for this agreement. SART is funded 50% fee revenue and 50% with ARPA grant monies. There are sufficient appropriations in the Health Department’s FY 2023-24 Adopted Budget (001-4000-8124-HEA003). Health will keep the CAO and BOS informed regarding costs for this expanded program.
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: Patricia Velarde, Management Analyst II, 796-1377
Approved by:
______________________________Date: _______________
Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachments:
Board Report
MOA