DATE: November 6, 2018
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Lisa A. Smittcamp, District Attorney-Public Administrator
SUBJECT: Electronic Suspected Child Abuse Report System Grant Subaward Amendment
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Authorize the Chairman to execute Grant Subaward Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. ES17010100 (County Agreement No. 18-057) with the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) for the Electronic Suspected Child Abuse Report System grant subaward, to change the ending date effective January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019 ($250,000).
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The purpose of the Electronic Suspected Child Abuse Report System (ESCARS) is to establish a database that allows for the sharing of electronic suspected child abuse reports between the District Attorney, Department of Social Services (DSS), Sheriff-Coroner’s Office (FSO), and local law enforcement. The requested extension will allow sufficient time for the development of the ESCARS database and associated grant claiming. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended action is not approved, the process for handling Suspected Child Abuse Reports will continue to be manual, and improvements to the cross-reporting process will be limited.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The requested extension will allow sufficient time for grant claiming. Estimated revenues and appropriations of $200,643 are included in District Attorney-Grants Org 2862 FY 2018-19 Adopted Budget to fund program-related ESCARS system activities for the District Attorney Paralegal position and DSS development costs. Additionally, estimated revenues and appropriations are included in the Sheriff-Coroner’s Org 3111 FY 2018-19 Adopted Budget in the amount of $49,357 to offset ESCARS expenses.
DISCUSSION:
The purpose of ESCARS is to establish a database that allows for the sharing of electronic suspected child abuse reports between the District Attorney, DSS, FSO, and local law enforcement. The requested extension will allow for sufficient time for the development of the ESCARS database and associated grant claiming.
There are 15 law enforcement agencies in Fresno County with jurisdictions throughout the rural and metro areas of the County. FSO is the primary law enforcement agency for the purpose of this grant. The FSO, District Attorney’s Office (DA), and DSS currently maintain a collaborative relationship with regard to investigations and/or standard working processes. However, with regard to protocols, collaboration and/or attention to effective cross-reporting and oversight of suspected child abuse reports, substantial improvements are being developed as a result of this grant funding.
The FSO and DSS have reviewed the agenda item and concur with the recommended action.
If grant funding for this program is discontinued, the associated District Attorney Paralegal position will be deleted.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #5, February 20, 2018
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Amendment with Cal OES
CAO ANALYST:
Jeannie Z. Figueroa