To: Board of Supervisors
From: District Attorney
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
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Funding Made Available by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services through the Unserved/Underserved Victim Advocacy and Outreach Program and Supplemental Budget (4/5 Vote Required)
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Authorize the District Attorney to execute any and all documents necessary to accept, administer and reapply for funding made available by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services through the Unserved/Underserved Victim Advocacy and Outreach Program (requires 4/5 vote); and
2. Approve the attached supplemental budget for Fund 1100, Budget Unit 291, Unserved/Underserved Victim Advocacy and Outreach Program (4/5 vote required).
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, Victims of Crime Act and State General Funds
DISCUSSION:
On March 10, 2021, the District Attorney’s Office was awarded non-competitive annual funding for calendar year 2021 by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services through the Unserved/Underserved Victim Advocacy and Outreach Program. This award is part of the 2016 competitive grant award of the Unserved/Underserved Victim Advocacy and Outreach (UV) Program which was for a five year non-competitive term. The funding is available through Victims of Crime Act, which are federal funds managed and dispersed annually to eligible counties by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. The annual application was approved for the amount of $228,052 in federal funding.
In October 2021, the District Attorney’s Office was informed that the five-year non-competitive grant had been extended for the calendar year of 2022 for the UV Program. On October 27, 2021, the District Attorney’s Office submitted an application for additional funding in the amount of Two $228,334.
Funding received from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services through the UV Program has allowed the District Attorney’s Office to provide increased direct services and enhanced safety of victim and witness populations in Humboldt County who historically have been underserved due to race, socio-economic status, disability or sexual orientation. Services provided include, without limitation, crisis intervention, emergency assistance, resource and referral assistance, direct counseling/therapy, 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/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 that are not mandated, but are provided, include, without limitation, temporary restraining order assistance, providing crime prevention information, witness notification and funeral/burial arrangements.
Accordingly, it is recommended that the Board authorize the District Attorney to execute any and all documents necessary to accept, administer and reapply for funding made available by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services through the Unserved/Underserved Victim Advocacy and Outreach Program.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Approval of the non-competitive grant award allows the County of Humboldt to be reimbursed for services performed in accordance with the scope of work described in the grant application up to a maximum amount of $228,052 for the period of January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021. Approval of the attached supplemental budget in the amount of $53,052 will allow the originally anticipated grant award of $175,000 for calendar year 2021.
Approval of the grant award will also allow the County of Humboldt to be reimbursed for services performed in accordance with the scope of work described in the grant application up to a maximum amount of $228,334 for the period of January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022. Funding will be received by budget unit 1100-291 District Attorney - Underserved Victim Advocacy. The recommended actions will not impact the Humboldt County General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by seeking outside funding sources to benefit Humboldt County needs, providing community-appropriate levels of service and investing in Humboldt County employees.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the grant award. This alternative is not recommended as it would cause a loss of anticipated revenue that is needed to support the provision of services to victims and witnesses of crime in Humboldt County.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Grant Award Letter
2. Supplemental Budget
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-11
Meeting of: May 18, 2021
File No.: 21-547