To: Board of Supervisors
From: District Attorney
Agenda Section: Consent
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
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt the attached resolution which authorizes the Humboldt County District Attorney, the Humboldt County Auditor-Controller and the County Administrative Office, 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;
2. Authorize the Chair of the Board to execute the attached Certificate of Assurance of Compliance regarding compliance with any and all laws, regulations, standards and requirements applicable to funding made available by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services through the Victim Witness Assistance Program; and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed certified copy of the attached resolution and Certificate of Assurance of Compliance to the District Attorney’s Office Business Manager for submission to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services; Victim Witness Assistance Office; Victims of Crime Act, Victim Witness (1100-208)
DISCUSSION:
The Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office is requesting to submit an application 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 2022-2023. The funding is available through the Victim Witness Assistance Office (“VWAO”) and the Victims of Crime Act (“VOCA”), which are a combination of federal and state funds that are managed and dispersed annually to eligible counties by Cal OES. The annual application for funding is in the amount of Thirty-Two Thousand Seven Hundred One Dollars ($32,701.00) in VWAO state funding and Three Hundred Eighty Thousand Eight Hundred Four Dollars ($380,804.00) in VOCA federal funding.
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, the Humboldt County Auditor-Controller and the County Administrative Office, 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. It is also recommended that the Board authorize the Chair of the Board to execute the attached Certificate of Assurance of Compliance regarding compliance with any and all laws, regulations, standards and requirements applicable to such funding.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Adoption of the attached resolution will allow the County of Humboldt to be reimbursed up to a maximum of Four Hundred Thirteen Thousand Twenty-Three Dollars ($413,023.00) for services performed in accordance with the scope of work described in the grant application for the period of October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023. Such funding covers salary and benefits totaling Three Hundred Ninety-Nine Thousand Seven Hundred Dollars ($399,700.00) along with operating expenses of Thirteen Thousand Three Hundred Twenty-Three Dollars ($13,323.00). There is a cash match obligation totaling Ninety-Five Thousand Two Hundred One Dollars ($95,201.00) which has been waived by Cal OES due to community resource limitations stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Adoption of the attached resolution 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 and providing community-appropriate levels of service along with investing in county employees.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to adopt the attached resolution authorizing the Humboldt County District Attorney, the Humboldt County Auditor-Controller and County Administrative Office, 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. Grant Subaward Face Sheet (Cal OES form 2-101)
2. Grant Subaward Contact Information (Cal OES form 2-102)
3. Grant Subaward Signature Authorization (Cal OES form 2-103)
4. Grant Subaward Certificate of Assurance of Compliance Authorization (Cal OES form 2-104)
5. Grant Subaward VOCA Federal Fund Grant Subaward Assurances (Cal OES form 2-109a)
6. Grant Subaward Budget Pages (Cal OES form 2-106a)
7. Grant Subaward Budget Narrative (Cal OES form 2-107)
8. Grant Subaward Program Narrative (Cal OES form 2-108)
9. Subrecipient Grants Management Assessment form
10. Grant Subaward Service Area Information (Cal OES form 2-154)
11. District Attorney Victim Witness Organizational Chart
12. Match Waiver Request
13. Operational Agreement Summary (Cal OES form 2-160) and Current Operational Agreements
14. Grant Agreement Resolution
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-16
Meeting of: June 22, 2021
File No.: 21-846