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Approve a $45,322 first amendment to the contract with Child Haven, Inc. for the period October 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016 for a total amount of $277,904 for Safe Harbor Visitation and Exchange Program services at the Solano Family Justice Center; Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) of $45,322 recognizing $15,322 of available remaining grant revenue from the closeout of the 2014 Justice for Families grant program and $30,000 of Domestic Violence Vital Record Fees revenue in the Office of Family Violence Prevention for FY2016/17 (4/5 vote required); and Authorize the County Administrator to execute the contract amendment and any subsequent amendments that remain within budgeted appropriations
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The District Attorney recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve a $45,322 first amendment to the contract with Child Haven, Inc. for the period October 1 2016 through December 31, 2016 for a total amount of $277,904 for Safe Harbor Visitation and Exchange Program services at the Solano Family Justice Center; and
2. Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) of $45,322 recognizing $15,322 of available remaining grant revenue from the closeout of the 2014 Justice for Families grant program and $30,000 of Domestic Violence Vital Record Fees revenue in the Office of Family Violence Prevention for FY2016/17 (4/5 vote required); and
3. Authorize the County Administrator to execute the contract amendment and any subsequent amendments that remain within budgeted appropriations.
SUMMARY:
In September 2014, the District Attorney’s Office of Family Violence Prevention (OFVP), as the grant applicant and recipient, was awarded a two-year grant of $450,000 from the U. S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) to continue program implementation of a supervised visitation and safe exchange of children in situations involving domestic violence. In October 2014, the District Attorney’s Office contracted with Child Haven, Inc. to provide program services to implement the program. Earlier this year, Child Haven, Inc., as the grant applicant, submitted a grant application to the OVW as the direct service provider for the program. The 2016 OVW solicitation was a competitive process and Child Haven has been notified that they did not receive an award. On September 30, 2016, the contract with Child Haven for program services expired. This contract amendment will continue program services through December 31, 2016 to provide for smooth closure of the program with minimal impact on the families that participate in the program.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Approval of the first amendment and related ATR has no financial impact on the County General Fund. There is $15,322 in remaining available grant revenue balance for program services. In addition, there are adequate funds available in the OFVP Domestic Violence Oversight - Vital Records Fees account. This revenue is dedicated to oversight of domestic violence related services. The department proposes the transfer of $30,000 from this account and the $15,322 in remaining grant revenue to provide for smooth closure of the program with minimal impact on the families that participate in the program.
DISCUSSION:
In September 2010, the District Attorney’s Office of Family Violence Prevention (OFVP) was awarded a $400,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) to plan and implement the Safe Harbor Visitation and Exchange Program (Program). The Program provides a safe alternative for families who have experienced domestic violence. Monitored visitation allows the noncustodial parent to continue to have contact with their children in a structured environment, while providing a level of safety for both the children and the adult victim of domestic violence. Since 2010, the Program is the only one in Solano County that provides visitation to high-risk non-custodial parents while providing services at no cost to the participants.
In January 2014, the Board of Supervisors authorized the District Attorney’s OFVP, as the grant applicant, to submit a two-year grant application totaling $400,000 for continuation funding for the Program at the Solano Family Justice Center through the 2014 Justice for Families grant solicitation for the period beginning Federal Fiscal Year 2014 (October 2014 through September 2016) to the U.S. Department of Justice, OVW. In September 2014, the District Attorney’s OFVP, as the grant recipient, was awarded the grant in the amount of $450,000 for two years, ending September 30, 2016.
In January 2016, Child Haven, Inc., the direct service provider for the Program and this time as the grant applicant, submitted an application for new grant funding through the OVW 2016 Justice for Families grant solicitation. Whereas the 2014 grant funding was awarded via a non-competitive process, the 2016 solicitation was a competitive process with only 25 awards for applicants nationwide. In September 2016, Child Haven was notified that they were not awarded funding from the OVW 2016 Justice for Families grant program.
Child Haven currently provides services to 25 families participating in the Safe Harbor Visitation and Exchange Program at the Solano Family Justice Center. This contract amendment will continue program services through December 31, 2016 and provide for a smooth closure of the program with minimal impact on the families that participate in the program.
While there are no other agencies located in Fairfield, the Vacaville Visitation Care Center (Center) provides an alternative. A Visitation Care Monitor supervises visitations and facilitates exchanges at the Center. There are also other agencies that provide services but are located outside of Solano County. In addition, the Center along with other agencies charges fees for their services.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors could choose not to approve the contract amendment and the related appropriation transfer request; however, this alternative is not recommended as Child Haven, Inc. would be unable to continue to deliver services as the program closes.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County Administrator’s Office has reviewed this submittal. Child Haven, Inc. was involved with the drafting of the contract.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION