DATE: March 24, 2020
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Kirk Haynes, Chief Probation Officer
SUBJECT: Retroactive County Victim Services (XC) 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 County Victim Services (XC) Program ($559,383);
2. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive Grant Application/Agreement for the County Victim Services (XC) Program with Cal OES for the period of January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020; 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 January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020, subject to approval by County Counsel and the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector ($559,383).
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. To meet grant filling deadline, the Grant Application was submitted contingent upon the Board’s approval. The Application provides funding for the Fresno County James Rowland Crime Assistance Center (CVAC), which the Probation Department has operated for crime victims and witnesses in Fresno County since 1975. The recommended actions will authorize the previous submittal of the grant application and the execution of the Grant. It should be noted, 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. This item is countywide
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended actions are not approved, the Grant Application will be withdrawn, which will result in a significant reduction of services provided by the CVAC and the positions funded with this grant will be deleted, unless an alternative funding source is identified
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
Probation was notified on December 3, 2019 that the Grant Application had been accepted by Cal OES. The Department is bringing this to the Board within the agenda item processing deadlines. Once the Grant Award Face Sheet is executed by the Chairman and Cal OES, it becomes the final agreement between the County and Cal OES, effective January 1, 2020.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The grant is a total of $559,383 ($447,506 in grant funds and $111,877 in required match). The match requirement is available in the Capital Projects Fund 0400 ORG 8830 and these funds will be transferred as needed. Probation does not charge the grant for indirect costs. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues have been included in the FY 2019-20 Adopted Budget for Probation Grants Org 3432 and will be included in the FY 2020-21 Recommended Budget.
DISCUSSION:
On August 9, 2016, the Board approved the original grant application for the period of July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2018. On the application, the Department had requested the funding amount for which it could meet the corresponding match requirement even though additional funds were available. During its application review, Cal OES waived the additional match requirement so the Department could be allocated the additional funds available and increased the awarded amount. On April 4, 2017, the Board approved the agreement with the increased award. The Board approved to extend the term of the grant through December 31, 2019 and accept additional funding on October 17, 2017.
The XC Program provides crime victims with immediate and extended housing, essentials such as food and hygiene items, accessible transportation throughout Fresno County, and extends services in the rural areas of Fresno County. In addition, after-hours call services are made available as a resource for victims in need of emergency housing and/or transportation to a safe place after-hours, on weekends, and during holidays.
The Cal OES request for grant applications was published on September 4, 2019, with a filing deadline of October 16, 2019. In order to meet the filing deadline, the application was previously submitted to Cal OES contingent upon the Board’s approval, and is being brought to the Board with the associated agreement on the first available Board date.
The grant funds three Victim Witness Advocate (VW) positions and one Deputy Probation Officer for CVAC. Services provided by the VW include advising victims of available services, referring to professional care providers, explaining the criminal justice system process, accompanying victims, family members, and witnesses to court and related hearings, and assisting victims with claim applications. The Deputy Probation Officer reviews the orders of the court and the offender’s case file, serves as a liaison with other County offices, and guides the victim through the court process regarding matters of restitution.
The third recommended action will adopt a resolution 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, subject to review and approval by County Counsel and the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector, not to exceed the total of $559,383.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI # 55, October 17, 2017
BAI # 8, April 4, 2017
BAI # 46, August 9, 2016
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Application/Agreement with Cal OES
On file with Clerk - Resolution
CAO ANALYST:
Samantha Buck