DATE: December 11, 2018
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Kirk Haynes, Chief Probation Officer
SUBJECT: Retroactive Probation Specialized Units Program Grant Application/Agreement
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Retroactively authorize the Chief Probation Officer’s previous submittal of a grant application to the State of California, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) for the Probation Specialized Units Program ($133,333);
2. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive Grant Application/Agreement for the Probation Specialized Units Program with Cal OES, for the period of October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019; and
3. Adopt resolution authorizing the Chairman to sign the retroactive grant application and to execute retroactive Grant Award Agreement and any extensions or amendments thereto with Cal OES for the period of October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019, subject to approval by County Counsel and the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The Department has received Probation Specialized Unit Program funds from Cal OES since 2014. Cal OES has awarded a new competitive grant to the Department to continue the current Program for an additional four years. To meet filing deadlines for the new grant application, the application was submitted contingent upon your Board’s approval. The recommended actions will authorize the previous submittal of the grant application and the execution of the Grant Subaward Face Sheet and Certification of Compliance (“Grant Agreement”). It should be noted that once the Grant Agreement is executed by the Chairman and Cal OES, the application documents become the final agreement between the County and Cal OES. The Grant Agreement will provide specialized supervision of high-risk domestic violence offenders and support and assistance to their victims through a Deputy Probation Officer (DPO) and Victim/Witness Advocate (VA) position in the Probation Specialized Unit Program. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended actions are not approved, the grant application will be withdrawn, which will result in the elimination or reduction of specialized supervision of domestic violence offenders as well as enhanced assistance to their victims. If will also result in the elimination of the DPO and VA unless an alternative funding source is identified.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
The Probation Department was notified by letter from Cal OES, dated October 8, 2018, of the grant award. The Department is bringing this to your Board on the first available Board date within the agenda item processing deadlines. Once the Grant Agreement is executed by the Chairman and Cal OES, it becomes the final agreement between the County and Cal OES.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The grant is a total of $133,333 ($100,000 in grant funds and $33,333 in required 25% match of the total program cost of $133,333). In addition to the mandated match, $100,214 in additional funding is required to provide the services included in this Program. The required match and additional funding totaling $133,547 will be funded with Senate Bill 678. There are a DPO and a VA position in this program. Appropriations and estimated revenues for this Grant Program have been included in the Probation Department’s Adopted FY 2018-19 Grants Budget Org 3432. Probation does not charge the grant for indirect costs.
DISCUSSION:
On September 23, 2013, Cal OES issued a competitive Request for Proposals to provide a Probation Specialized Unit Program for three years. On March 11, 2014, the Board approved the Cal OES Grant Award Agreement for the Probation Department to provide specialized supervision of high-risk domestic violence offenders and to provide support and assistance to their victims. Cal OES approved additional years of non-competitive funding for a total of five years of continuous funding through September 30, 2018. Cal OES awarded the County a new competitive grant funding period of October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019 for the Probation Specialized Unit Program from Cal OES. After the first year of funding, Fresno County will be eligible for a non-competitive reapplication for an additional three consecutive years.
The grant will be used to fund the Probation Specialized Unit Program, which allows for a DPO and a VA to be dedicated entirely to a specialized domestic violence caseload of high-risk violent offenders and their victims. The Program will intensely supervise high-risk offenders convicted of a violent crime related to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and/or stalking while minimizing further trauma to victims and families by providing protection and referrals to supportive services and counseling. Intensive supervision requires weekly contact with offenders, with at least 80% of the contacts being face-to-face. It also requires monthly contact with counseling and treatment programs where the offender is enrolled to assess the offender’s progress. In addition, the DPO updates risk assessments every six months, checks police logs, conducts drug and alcohol testing, reviews court files and requests appropriate sanctions if the probationer commits a new abuse or violation, fails to participate in designated counseling and/or treatment programs, or commits a new criminal offense.
A VA engages victims of probationers as early as possible and minimizes further trauma to victims and families by providing victim protection and referrals to supportive services and counseling. The VA ensures that victims understand the terms of probation and works with the DPO in the Program to make the victims’ safety concerns known. The DPO/VA team maintain records of all contacts with offenders and the services provided to victims and children.
The third recommended action will adopt a resolution authorizing the Chairman to execute any extensions or amendments to this grant as required by Cal OES subject to review and approval by County Counsel and the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector not to exceed the total of $133,333.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI # 46 January 23, 2018
BAI # 39 November 15, 2016
BAI # 46 October 13, 2015
BAI # 41 September 16, 2014
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Application / Agreement with Cal OES
On file with Clerk - Resolution
CAO ANALYST:
Samantha Buck