Title
a. Authorize the submission of an application to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) for a County Victim Services (XC) Program grant in the amount of $508,500 for the Monterey County Victims Services Project; and
b. Direct the County Administrative Office, Community Engagement and Advocacy Division, to return to the Board for approval prior to the acceptance of a grant award.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Authorize the submission of an application to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) for a County Victim Services (XC) Program grant in the amount of $508,500 for the Monterey County Victims Services Project; and
b. Direct the County Administrative Office, Community Engagement and Advocacy Division, to return to the Board for approval prior to the acceptance of a grant award.
SUMMARY:
The County Administrative Office - Intergovernmental & Legislative Affairs Division’s Strategic Grant Services Program submitted an application to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) for a County Victim Services (XC) Program grant in the amount of $508,500 on May 24, 2016. Board authorization is required for final CalOES consideration of the application. CalOES is expected to announce awards for this grant program in the summer of 2016.
If awarded, the grant will fund the Monterey County Victim Services Project, which will provide an expansion of victim services provided by the County and partner agencies. The project is expected to take place between July 2016 and June 2018, and will be administered by the County Administrative Office - Community Engagement & Advocacy Division, which will return to the Board for approval prior to the acceptance of a grant award.
DISCUSSION:
In April 2016, the Strategic Grant Services Program identified a funding opportunity through CalOES for a County Victim Services (XC) Program grant. The Strategic Grant Services Program coordinated with the County Administrative Office - Community Engagement & Advocacy Division to form an internal and external multi-disciplinary stakeholder group, design the Monterey County Victim Services Project, draft the grant application, and submit the application.
If awarded, the project will fund improved services to victims of domestic violence, victims of sexual assault, child victims of crimes, and other victims. This project would occur between July 2016 and June 2018.
Victims of crimes in Monterey County are often in need of a wide range of services including temporary housing, childcare, clothing, meals, transportation, groceries, clothing, and translation services. Many victims who seek help after being victimized by domestic violence, sexual assault, abuse, or other crimes do not have access to these basic services. If the crime resulted in the victim not being able to return home because of safety concerns, they may need temporary housing, clothing, food, and groceries. If the victim has lost access to their vehicle, they may need transportation to medical appointments, legal appointments, and visits to the police department to meet with a case agent. Many victims are not proficient in English and need translation services so they can communicate with law enforcement and legal counsel. Child victims are particularly vulnerable. Currently there is a demand for court appointed child advocates which outstrips the existing available services.
Monterey County is applying for funding from the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) County Victim Services (XC) Program grant to enhance victims’ services currently lacking or limited in the community. If funded, the Monterey County Victims Services project would assist adult and child victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and other crimes by providing improved case management, counseling, legal advocacy, court appointed advocates, temporary and emergency housing, clothing, meals, transportation, groceries, childcare, translation, and other services. Funding would provide direct service legal advocacy to survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking by assisting with restraining orders, divorce agreements, cease and desist letters, court accompaniment, and other services. Funds would also be used to improve computerized tracking of victims of crime to provide better case management and services to these clients.
In order to provide a broad spectrum of victims’ services, this project application includes a multi-disciplinary group of partners who will assist with project implementation. Project partners include: County Administrative Office - Community Engagement & Advocacy Division; Health Department - Sexual Assault Response Team (SART); District Attorney - Victims Unit; Probation; Voices for Children - Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Monterey County; Monterey County Rape Crisis Center (MCRCC); Monterey County YWCA; City of Seaside Police Department, and the City of Greenfield Police Department.
The Strategic Grants Services Program was created by the Board of Supervisors and focuses on identifying funding for County priority projects. Priorities are defined by the Board’s Strategic Initiatives, the Board’s Legislative Program, and the ability to meet grant requirements and strategically compete for grant funding. The program is administered by the County Administrative Office - Intergovernmental & Legislative Affairs Division.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
This application was written and coordinated by the County Administrative Office -Intergovernmental & Legislative Affairs, under the Strategic Grant Services Program. Project partners include: County Administrative Office - Community Engagement & Advocacy Division; Health Department - Sexual Assault Response Team (SART); District Attorney - Victims Unit; Probation; Voices for Children - Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Monterey County; Monterey County Rape Crisis Center (MCRCC); Monterey County YWCA; City of Seaside Police Department, and the City of Greenfield Police Department. Additionally, support for this application was provided by the Department of Social Services, the Sheriff’s Office, and Monterey County Superior Court.
FINANCING:
This action will have no impact to the General Fund. The Monterey County Victims Services Project will be entirely funded by grant funds under the CalOES County Victim Services (XC) Program. A grant application in the amount of $508,500 was submitted for this program in April 2016. Funding awards are expected in the summer of 2016. Matching funds will not be required as part of this grant application.
Prepared by: Paul Hierling, Management Analyst III
Approved by:
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Nicholas E. Chiulos
Assistant County Administrative Officer