DATE: April 8, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Sanja Bugay, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Marjaree Mason Center Annual Report for Domestic Violence Fund
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Accept the Marjaree Mason Center Annual Report for the period of October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will allow Marjaree Mason Center, Inc. (MMC) to submit the annual report to your Board in accordance with Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) §18300. This provision requires an annual report be submitted by the domestic violence shelter-based program receiving funding from the Domestic Violence Fund to the County Board of Supervisors. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. Should the recommended action not be approved, the County will be out of compliance with WIC §18300.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action.
DISCUSSION:
The Domestic Violence Fund (DVF) for Fresno County was established in accordance with WIC §18305 for domestic violence shelter-based programs, using income from marriage license fees, court ordered debt revenue, and fines and fees imposed by the courts for domestic violence cases. The WIC §18300 stipulates that any agency receiving DVF funding prepare an annual report that details the total number of persons requesting services, the number of persons served based on the service they were provided, and a description of the social and economic characteristics of persons receiving services. The current report covers the period of October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024.
On March 5, 2024, the Board approved an Agreement with MMC to continue to provide domestic violence shelter-based services, funded through the DVF. To be eligible to receive these funds, WIC §18294 requires that an agency provide services that include:
A. Shelter on a 24 hour a day, seven day a week basis.
B. A 24 hour a day, seven day a week telephone hotline for crisis calls.
C. Temporary housing and food facilities.
D. Psychological support and peer counseling provided in accordance with Section 1037.1 of the Evidence Code.
E. Referrals to existing services in the community.
F. A drop-in center that operates during normal business hours to assist victims of domestic violence who have a need for support services.
G. Arrangements for school age children to continue their education during their stay at the domestic violence shelter-based program.
H. Emergency transportation as feasible.
The Department confirmed that MMC is in compliance with all provisions stipulated in WIC §18294 through a formal site visit on August 22, 2024.
As noted in the attached report, during FY 2023-24, MMC provided supportive services including 24/7 crisis hotline and response, safety planning, risk assessment, food, clothing, shelter, case management, individual and group counseling, legal advocacy, children’s services, education, and outreach to 8,482 clients (7,353 adults and1,129 children). Additionally, 87,270 nights of emergency and longer-term safe shelter were provided. MMC is the only dedicated provider of safe and confidential emergency shelter and comprehensive domestic violence support services in Fresno County.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #48, March 5, 2024
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - MMC Annual Report 10/1/23 - 9/30/24
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander