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Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) for $50,144, recognizing unanticipated revenue from the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) County Victim Services (XC) Victims of Crime Act 15 (VOCA) Grant Program and increasing appropriations to purchase computers, office furniture, security equipment, file cabinets, and a video monitor for the Solano Family Justice Center (SFJC) (4/5 vote required)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No __X_
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No __X_
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The District Attorney’s Office (DA) recommends that the Board of Supervisors approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) for $50,144, recognizing unanticipated revenue from the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) County Victim Services (XC) Victims of Crime Act 15 (VOCA) Grant Program, and increasing appropriations to purchase computers, office furniture, security equipment, and a video monitor for the Solano Family Justice Center (SFJC) (4/5 vote required).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On December 6, 2016, the Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution accepting the California Office of Emergency Service (CalOES) County Victim Services (XC) Grant Program to fund services to fill crime victim service gaps and needs. The grant award period was from July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2018.
The purpose of the XC Program is to provide one-time funding to help fill gaps and needs in victim services. The grant required the implementation of a “Victim Services Steering Committee” (VSSC) to identify these needs in Solano County, with required membership of various County departments, law enforcement agencies, and educational and health care providers. Once established, the VSSC, over a series of meetings, identified and agreed to address the following crime victim service gaps and needs:
• Increase victim advocacy on middle and high school campuses in Solano County.
• Create a multi-disciplinary approach to helping elders who are subject to undue physical and mental abuse.
• Increase support for crime victims seeking protection orders through advocacy.
• Increase the amount of non-acute sexual assault examinations for child victims.
• Increase resources for crime victims that address the immediate health and safety concerns at the time an incident of violence occurs.
• Increase courtroom advocacy through Court Appointed Special Advocates for children in foster care as the result of being victims of abuse and neglect.
• Create a multi-disciplinary approach to addressing the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children.
Unfortunately, the grant expired prior to the expenditure of all the funds. The DA’s Office was successful in obtaining a two-month extension of this deadline; however, in order to ensure the funds are fully expended by August 31, the DA’s Office is recommending that the funds be appropriated to allow for the one-time purchase of computers, office furniture, security equipment, file cabinets, and a video monitor for the Solano Family Justice Center that will meet service gaps and needs by supporting partners at the Center, as providing funding directly to any of the partner agencies would require negotiation of a contract or contract amendment, thereby delaying and possibly jeopardizing the remaining grant funds with no guarantee of services being provided within the extension period.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There will be no financial impact to the County General Fund. The $50,144 was not included in the Department’s FY2018/19 budget because the department did not receive notification of the amendment approval until after the FY2018/19 Supplemental Budget period had ended.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board can choose not to approve the ATR. This will prevent Solano County from using unanticipated VOCA funding from CalOES and may affect its potential to receive future awards from these agencies.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County Administrator’s Office has reviewed and concurs with the departmental recommendation.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION