To: Board of Supervisors
From: District Attorney
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
SUBJECT:title
Resolution Authorizing the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office to Apply for, Accept and Administer Funding Made Available by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services through the Victim Witness Assistance Program end
RECOMMENDATION(S):Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt the attached resolution which authorizes the Humboldt County District Attorney and the Humboldt County Auditor-Controller, or designees thereof, to execute any and all certifications, agreements, amendments and other documents necessary to apply for, accept and administer funding made available by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services through the Victim Witness Assistance Program for fiscal year (FY) 2025-2026; and
2. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed certified copy of the attached resolution to the District Attorney’s Office for submission to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
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:
The District Attorney’s office is requesting to apply for annual funding made available by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (“Cal OES”) through the Victim Witness Assistance Program for fiscal year 2025-2026. The funding is available through the Victim Witness Assistance Office (“VWAO”), Victims of Crime General Fund (“VCGF”) and the Victims of Crime Act (“VOCA”), which are a combination of state and federal funds that are managed and disbursed annually to eligible counties by Cal OES. The annual application was approved for funding in the amount of Nineteen Thousand Eight Hundred Eight Dollars ($19,808) in VWAO state funding, One Hundred Sixty-Seven Thousand Forty Dollars ($167,040) in VCGF state funding and Two Hundred Fifteen Thousand Two Hundred Three Dollars ($215,203) in VOCA federal funding, for a total grant award of Four Hundred Two Thousand Fifty-One Dollars ($402,051)
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 and 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 and disposition, notification of family and friends, employer notification and 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, crime prevention information, witness notification and funeral and burial arrangements.
Accordingly, it is recommended that the Board adopt the attached resolution which authorizes the Humboldt County District Attorney and the Humboldt County Auditor-Controller, or designees thereof, to execute any and all certifications, agreements, amendments and other documents necessary to apply for, accept and administer funding made available by Cal OES through the Victim Witness Assistance Program for fiscal year 2025-2026.
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) |
FY25-26 |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$402,051.00 |
|
Total Expenditures |
$402,051.00 |
|
Funding Sources (1100-208) |
FY25-26 |
|
State/Federal Funding |
$402,051.00 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$402,051.00 |
Adoption of the attached resolution will allow the County of Humboldt to be reimbursed up to a maximum of Four Hundred Two Thousand Fifty-One Dollars ($402,051) for services performed in accordance with the scope of work described in the grant application for the period of Oct. 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2026. Such funding covers salary and benefits along with operating expenses in budget unit 1100-208. There is a cash match obligation totaling Fifty-Three Thousand Eight Hundred One dollars ($53,801) which may be waived by Cal OES due to community resource limitations.
STAFFING IMPACT:
Acceptance of the available Victim Witness Assistance funding provides for six (6) allocated administrative analyst advocate positions.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services; Victim Witness Assistance Office
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to adopt the attached resolution authorizing the Humboldt County District Attorney and the Humboldt County Auditor-Controller, or designees thereof, to execute any and all certifications, agreements, amendments and other documents necessary to apply for, accept and administer funding made available by Cal OES through the Victim Witness Assistance Program. However, this alternative is not recommended as it would cause a loss of anticipated funding that is necessary to support the provision of services to victims and witnesses of crime in Humboldt County.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution Authorizing the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office to Apply for, Accept and Administer Funding Made Available by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services through the Victim Witness Assistance Program
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: September 24, 2024
File No.: 24-1347