DATE: October 17, 2017
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Philip F. Kader, Interim Chief Probation Officer
SUBJECT: Retroactive Grant Award for the Unserved/Underserved Victim Advocacy and Outreach Program with the State of California, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the Chairman to accept the retroactive augmented grant award from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) increasing total project cost by $218,750 to a total of $437,500 and extending term to March 31, 2018; and
2. Approve and Authorize the Chairman to execute the Subrecipient Grants Management Assessment form for the Unserved/Underserved Victim Advocacy and Outreach (XV) Program; and
3. Adopt resolution authorizing the Chairman to submit grant application and to execute any extensions or amendments to Subaward XV15010100 as required by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, subject to approval by County Counsel and the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector.
REPORT
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. This Grant provides funding for the Fresno County Probation Department’s Crime Victim Assistance Center (CVAC) to enhance the safety of elder and dependent adults in Fresno County. The first recommended action will retroactively accept the term extension and additional grant funds awarded to Fresno County Probation by Cal OES. In August 2017, Cal OES developed a new mandatory form titled the Subrecipient Grants Management Assessment form, which is now required for all Cal OES grants. In addition, Cal OES conducted a site visit and requested Fresno County Probation to also submit a resolution from your Board authorizing submission of the grant application and allowing the Chairman to execute any extensions or amendments to this grant. The Unserved/Underserved Victim Advocacy and Outreach (XV) Program Grant provides funding for two Victim Witness Advocate positions to work with elderly and dependent adult victims of crime and 15% funding of a Probation Technician position for grant-related data collection.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If recommended action No. 1 is not approved, the grant would not be extended and Probation would no longer provide the services included in the grant. If Recommended Actions No. 2 and 3 are not approved, Probation would be out of compliance with the grant requirements.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
On April 12, 2016 your Board approved and authorized the Chairman to execute a retroactive application/agreement with Cal OES for $175,000 in grant funds for a performance period of April 1, 2016 through March 31, 2017. On June 17, 2016, Cal OES notified the Department that performance period had been extended another year to March 31, 2018 and additional $175,000 was awarded for a total of $350,000 in grant funding. The recommended acceptance of additional grant award funding is being brought to your Board retroactively due to Department Staff oversight.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The Probation Department’s original grant application request was for a total project cost of $218,750 ($175,000 in grant funding and $43,750 in a required match) for a performance period of April 1, 2016 through March 31, 2017. On June 17, 2016, Cal OES notified the Department that the grant would be extended for one additional year to March 31, 2018, bringing the grant total for the two years (April 1, 2016 through March 31, 2018) to $437,500 ($350,000 in grant funding and $87,500 in a required match). The match requirement will be met with $61,280 in Net County Cost and $26,220 in an in kind contribution of volunteer hours assigned to this Program. Appropriations and estimated revenues for this grant have been included in the FY 2017-18 Adopted Probation Grants Org 3432 Budget.
DISCUSSION:
In September of 2000, the Department was awarded grant funds to implement an Elder Abuse Advocacy and Outreach Program. Funding for this program continued and became the Underserved Victim Advocacy and Outreach (UV) Program. Cal OES has updated the program name to the Unserved/Underserved Victim Advocacy and Outreach (XV) Program.
The Crime Victim Assistance Center (CVAC) was awarded a competitive 5-year Cal OES grant for the Probation Department’s Unserved/Underserved Victim Advocacy and Outreach Program in the CVAC. The initial grant period was from October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2015. On October 13, 2015, your board approved an extension of this grant through March 31, 2016 and on April 12, 2016 your Board approved the grant for an additional year to March 31, 2017. The first recommended action will authorize the grant to continue through March 31, 2018. The Department was notified of this extension in June 2016.
The second recommended action will authorize the Chairman to sign the new Subrecipient Grants Management Assessment form as required by Cal OES. On August 24, 2017, Cal OES notified the Department of this new required form, which is now required for all Cal OES grants. This form is related to the Probation Department’s experience in the management of grant awards in order for Cal OES to determine and provide an appropriate level of technical assistance, training, and grant oversight. As the Authorized Agent, the Chairman of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors is required to sign this form.
The third recommended action will adopt a resolution retroactively authorizing the Chairman to submit the previously submitted grant application and to execute any extensions or amendments to this grant as required by Cal OES. Cal OES conducted a routine site visit in April 2017 and notified the Department that this resolution is required. It should be noted that this resolution was not requested at the time of the application submission.
The XV Program enhances the safety of elder and dependent adults in Fresno County through an array of direct services to this vulnerable population. These services are provided in collaboration with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department, Fresno and Clovis Police Departments, rural law enforcement agencies, Adult Protective Services and a local senior advocacy group. 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, including writing victim impact statements for the Court.
The XV grant provides funding for two Victim Witness Advocate positions to work with elderly and dependent adult victims of crime and 15% funding of a Probation Technician position for grant-related data collection. If grant funding for this program is discontinued, related positions will be eliminated unless an alternative funding source is identified.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI # 33, April 12, 2016
BAI # 47, October 13, 2015
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with CalOES
On file with Clerk - Subrecipient Grants Management Assessment form
On file with Clerk - Resolution
CAO ANALYST:
Samantha Buck