DATE: April 4, 2017
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Rick Chavez, Chief Probation Officer
Robert Bash, Chief Director of Internal Services/Chief Informational
Officer
SUBJECT: Approve Amendment to the Victim/Witness Assistance
Program Grant Agreement No. 16-500 with the State
of California, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve Amendment to Agreement No. 16-500 with the State of California, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) for the Victim/Witness Assistance Program Grant to accept additional funding with no change in term to June 30, 2017 increasing maximum by $458,521 to a total of $1,414,585;
2. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing the FY 2016-17 appropriations and estimated revenues in the Probation - Grants Org 3432 in the amount of $238,323 (4/5 vote);
3. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing the FY 2016-17 appropriations and estimated revenues for the Internal Services Department, Fleet Services - Equipment Org 8911 in the amount of $58,000 (4/5 vote); and
4. Approve Salary Resolution Amendment for the Probation - Grants Department Org 3432 as reflected on Appendix “D”, adding a Senior Victim-Witness Advocate position effective April 10, 2017.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Cal OES increased the Victim/Witness Assistance Program grant amount that was previously awarded to the Fresno County Probation Department by $458,521 to a total of $1,414,585. The additional grant funds will not be spent prior to approval and acceptance by your Board.
This Grant will provide additional funding for the Fresno James Rowland Crime Assistance Center (CVAC), which the Probation Department has operated for crime victims and witnesses in Fresno County since 1980. In addition, the grant award provides funding to add a Senior Victim-Witness Advocate position, two vehicles to be utilized by CVAC staff, and funding for the usage of Probation Student Workers and Extra-Help Victim Witness Advocates to improve and expand services to victims of crime in Fresno County.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended actions are not approved, the services supported by the additional grant funds for the Fresno James Rowland Crime Assistance will not be provided.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in the Net County Cost, or additional required match associated with the recommended actions. Approval of the second recommended action will increase the FY 2016-17 appropriations and estimated revenues for the Probation - Grants Org 3432 in the amount of $238,323 to fund an additional Senior Victim-Witness Advocate, Probation Student Workers, and Extra-Help Victim Witness Advocates for the CVAC and to fund an Operating Transfer Out to the Fleet Services - Equipment Org 8911. The increase is funded with additional FY 2016-17 Cal-OES grant funds. Approval of the third recommended action will increase the FY 2016-17 appropriations and estimated revenues for the Fleet Services - Equipment Org 8911 in the amount of $58,000 through an Operating Transfer In from the Probation - Grants Org 3432 to fund the purchase of two vehicles to be utilized by CVAC staff. Due to the late approval of amended Cal-OES grant by the State, a portion of the additional grant funding will not be expended and has not been included in the recommended budget resolutions. The Net County Cost for this grant will remain at $169,713, as approved in the Adopted FY 2016-17 Probation - Grants Org 3432 budget.
DISCUSSION:
The Probation Department has operated the Crime Victim Assistance Center (CVAC) 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, including writing victim impact statements for the Court.
The Cal OES request for grant application was published on May 4, 2016. To meet the grant filing deadline of June 3, 2016, the application was previously submitted to Cal OES contingent upon your Board’s approval. On August 9, 2016, your Board approved the submittal of the grant application in the amount of $956,064. Fresno County Probation was notified on August 12, 2016 that Cal OES had awarded additional funding to Fresno County. Negotiations between Cal OES and Fresno County Probation followed to determine required modifications for the additional funds that will improve services for victims of crime in Fresno County. There was also a delay in Cal-OES approving the amended grant due to the flood emergencies and a federal audit occurring during the review process. Fresno County Probation received final grant award notice on March 9, 2017. Approval of Recommended Action No. 1 will approve and accept the additional grant funds. It should be noted, this amendment differs from County standard in that it does not require the Chairman’s signature and the additional funding awarded by Cal OES will not be spent until accepted and approved by your Board.
The existing Cal-OES grant partially funds a Probation Services Manager, two Senior Victim Witness Advocates and nine Victim Witness Advocates, and 85% of a Program Technician position. In addition, the CVAC program has one Office Assistant that is funded with Net County Cost. The amended Grant approved by Cal-OES modifies the existing CVAC by adding a Senior Victim-Witness Advocate position, adding two vehicles to be utilized by CVAC staff to provide services to victims, and provides funding for Student Workers and Extra-Help Victim Witness Advocates to improve and expand services to victims of crime. The recommended Salary Resolution will add the additional Senior Victim-Witness Advocate. If grant funding for this program is discontinued or reduced, positions included in this grant will be eliminated or reduced as necessary if an additional funding source is not identified.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI # 47, August 9, 2016
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Amendment to Agreement with Cal OES
On file with Clerk - Resolution (Org 3432)
On file with Clerk - Resolution (Org 8911)
Salary Resolution Amendment (Appendix “D”)
CAO ANALYST
Samantha Buck