To: Board of Supervisors
From: District Attorney
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Resolution Authorizing the Acceptance of Grant Funding Made Available by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) through the Victim Witness Assistance Program for October 2023 through September 2024 and Authorization to Submit a Grant Application for the October 2024 - September 2025 Funding Cycle
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt the attached resolution authorizing the Humboldt County District Attorney and the Humboldt County Auditor-Controller, or designees thereof, to execute on behalf of the County of Humboldt any and all documents necessary to apply, accept, secure and administer including modifications or amendments the Victim Witness Assistance Program funding awarded by Cal OES; and
2. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed certified copy of the attached resolution and to the District Attorney’s Office for submission to Cal OES.
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
The recommended actions support the following areas of the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Plan:
Area of Focus: Safe & Healthy Communities and Core Services
Strategic Plan Category: 1001 -Support and sustain partnerships between public safety and partner agencies to enhance public safety in our communities
DISCUSSION:
In June 2023, the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office submitted an application for annual funding made available by Cal OES through the Victim Witness Assistance Program for the October 2023 through September 2024 funding cycle. The funding is available through the Victim Witness Assistance Office (VWAO) and the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), which are a combination of state and federal funds managed and disbursed annually to eligible counties by Cal OES. The annual application was approved for funding in the amount of $32,241 in VWAO state funding and $380,996 in VOCA federal funding. The total grant award in the amount of $413,237 and was included in the fiscal year (FY) 2023-24 budget.
On July 15, 2024, Cal OES implemented a new grant management system to apply for the Victim Witness Assistance Program for FY 2024-25. This funding is available through VWAO, VOCA AND Victims of Crime Act Supplemental (VCGF), all of which are a combination of state and federal funds managed and disbursed annually to eligible counties by the Cal OES. The annual application will approve funding in the amount of $37,253 in VWAO and $165,536 VCGF in both state funding and $201,607 in VOCA federal funding. The total grant award in the amount of $404,396 and was included in the FY 2024-25 budget.
Funding received from Cal OES through the Victim Witness Assistance Program has allowed the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office to provide increased direct services to victims and witnesses. Services provided, include, without limitation, crisis intervention, emergency assistance, resource and referral assistance, direct counseling/therapy, victim of crime claim assistance, property return, orientation to the criminal justice system, court escort, presentations and training for criminal justice agencies, public presentations and publicity, case status/case disposition, notification of family/friends, employer notification/intervention and restitution. All of these services are mandated by California Penal Code Sections 13835.4 through 13835.5. Other direct services provided that are not mandated, include, without limitation, temporary restraining order assistance, providing crime prevention information, witness notification and funeral/burial arrangements.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services; Victim Witness Assistance Office; Victims of Crime Act, Victim Witness (1100-208)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (1100-208) |
FY23-24 |
FY24-25 Projected* |
FY25-26 Projected* |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$413,237 |
$404,396 |
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$413,237 |
$404,396 |
|
|
Funding Sources (1100-208) |
FY24-25 |
FY25-26 Projected* |
FY26-27 Projected* |
|
General Fund |
$0 |
$0.00 |
|
|
State/Federal Funds |
$413,237 |
$404,396 |
|
|
Total Funding Sources |
$413,237 |
$404,396 |
|
* *Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
Adoption of the attached resolution allows the County of Humboldt to accept the grant award of $413,237 for the period of October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024. These funds were included in the District Attorney’s Victim Witness budget (1100208) in FY 2023-24.
Adoption of the attached resolution will also allow the County of Humboldt to apply for grant funding in the amount of $404,396 for the period of October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025. These funds are included in the District Attorney’s Victim Witness budget (1100208) in FY 2024-25.
The cash match obligation totaling $50,402 has been waived by Cal OES.
STAFFING IMPACT:
Acceptance of the grant provides funding for six allocated administrative analyst position that provide advocate services in the Victim Witness budget (1100208).
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services; Victim Witness Assistance Office; Victims of Crime Act, Victim Witness
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to adopt the attached resolution. However, this alternative is not recommended as it would cause a loss of funding necessary to support the provision of services to victims and witnesses of crime in Humboldt County.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Grant Subaward Application Approval Letter FY2023-24
2. Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of Funding Made Available by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services through the Victim Witness Assistance Program (4/5 Vote Required)
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PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: June 28, 2022
File No.: 22-811