DATE: January 26, 2021
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Delfino E. Neira, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Marjaree Mason Center Annual Domestic Violence Services Report
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Accept the Marjaree Mason Center Annual Report for the period of October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020.
REPORT
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action, which will allow Marjaree Mason Center, Inc. (MMC) to submit the annual report to your Board in accordance with Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC), Section (§)18300, which requires an annual report be submitted by the domestic violence shelter-based program receiving funding from the State’s Domestic Violence Fund to the County Board of Supervisors. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. Should the recommended action not be approved, the County will be out of compliance with WIC §18300.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action.
DISCUSSION:
In accordance with WIC §18300, the County disperses revenue from the Domestic Violence Fund on a quarterly basis to domestic violence shelters meeting all service requirements contained within WIC §18294. The Domestic Violence Fund was established for income generated by marriage license fees, court ordered debt revenue, and fines and fees imposed by the courts for domestic violence cases. On December 9, 2020, the Department completed the MMC annual site visit as required and determined MMC is still in compliance with all provisions of WIC §18294.
To be eligible for these funds, WIC §18294 requires that an agency provide services that include:
• Shelter on a 24-hour a day, seven days a week basis;
• 24-hour a day, seven days a week telephone hotline for crisis calls;
• Temporary housing and food facilities;
• Psychological support and peer counseling provided in accordance with §1037.1 of the Evidence Code;
• A drop-in center that operates during normal business hours to assist victims of domestic violence who have a need for support services;
• Arrangements for school age children to continue their education during their stay at the domestic violence shelter;
• Emergency transportation as feasible; and
• Referrals to existing services in the community.
Currently, MMC is the only Fresno County domestic violence provider meeting all requirements in regulation. Additionally, the WIC stipulates that any agency receiving this funding prepare an annual report that details the total number of persons requesting services, the number of persons served based on the services provided, and a description of the social and economic characteristics of persons receiving services. This MMC annual report is for services provided October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #59, January 21, 2020
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Federal FY 2019-20 Annual Report
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander