DATE: March 1, 2016
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Rick Chavez, Chief Probation Officer
SUBJECT: Amendment to existing Grant Award Agreement with the State of California, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the Fresno County’s Crime Victim Assistance Center
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Amendment to the Grant Award Agreement with the State of California, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CAL OES) for the Fresno County's Crime Victim Assistance Center ($237,223);
2. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing the FY 2015-16 appropriations and estimated revenues in the Probation - Grant Org 3432 in the amount of $237,223 (4/5 vote); and
3. Approve Amendment to the Salary Resolution adding positions to Probation Grant Org 3432 effective March 14, 2016 as reflected in Appendix C.
REPORT
There is no additional net County cost associated with these actions. The proposed amendment to the grant will provide funding for three additional Victim Witness Advocate positions to the Fresno County James Rowland Crime Victim Assistance Center (CVAC) and fund salary increases to the Victim Witness Advocate classification approved by your Board on September 22, 2015. The CVAC has been operated by the Probation Department for crime victims and witnesses in Fresno County since 1980.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended actions are not approved, the increase in grant funding would not be received by CAL OES for the additional positions and approved salary increases. CVAC would continue to operate at its current service level.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no additional net County cost associated with these actions. The cost of the existing CVAC is $911,071 and is funded with $718,841 in State and Federal grant funds, an expected $14,000 donation from the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla, and $178,230 in net County cost. The proposed amendment will provide an additional $237,223 for FY 2015-16 in grant funding for the CVAC with no additional net County cost. There is not a required match from the County in order to receive the additional funding from CAL OES. The additional monies cannot be used to backfill net County cost. In addition, any unexpended grant funds will not be claimed from Cal OES. Approval of the second recommended action will increase the adopted FY 2015-16 appropriations and estimated revenues in the Probation - Grant Org 3432 to reflect the increase of funds received from the associated grant amendment. CAL OES has indicated that the additional funding will be available for the next two fiscal years. If grant funding for this program is discontinued or reduced, alternative funding will be identified, or positions funded by this grant will be eliminated as necessary to stay within the budgeted net County cost.
DISCUSSION:
The Probation Department has operated the Crime Victim Assistance Center in Fresno County since 1980. Services include crisis intervention; emergency assistance; resources, referral and follow-up counseling; assistance with filing for victim compensation claims; orientation to the criminal justice system; and court assistance including preparation and support of victims in writing victim impact statements for the Court.
The grant funding for the CVAC is provided through Court ordered restitution fines and payments to the restitution fund by criminal offenders; it is administered by Cal OES. The CVAC is the major provider of comprehensive services to victims and witnesses of crime in Fresno County and is the eligible program to receive funds administered through Cal OES. The current grant funds are used to partially fund the salaries and benefits costs for a Probation Services Manager, eight Victim Witness Advocates, and a Program Technician position. In addition, there is also an Office Assistant position in the CVAC which is funded with net County cost. Approval of the recommended actions will allow the Probation Department to add three additional Victim Witness Advocates to the CVAC.
Your Board approved the existing grant agreement for FY 2015-16 on September 22, 2015. The amendment will provide funding to add three Victim Advocate positions and cover the cost of salary increases for the Victim Witness Advocate classification also approved by your Board on September 22, 2015. No other changes are proposed to the existing grant agreement.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI # 52, September 22, 2015. AGT. 15-448
BAI # 53, September 22, 2015
BAI # 30, March 10, 2015, Amendment 1 to AGT 14-517
BAI # 16, September 9, 2014, AGT. 14-517
BAI # 51, September 10, 2013, AGT. 13-546
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Grant / Agreement with Cal OES
On file with Clerk - Resolution (Org 3432)
Salary Resolution
CAO ANALYST:
Samantha Buck