REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
September 24, 2024
FROM
JASON ANDERSON, District Attorney
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Application to California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the 2024-25 Victim Witness Assistance Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve grant application to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the Victim Witness Assistance Program, in the amount of $3,053,239, for the period of October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025.
2. Adopt Resolution, as required by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, authorizing the Victim Services Chief to electronically execute and submit the grant application referenced in Recommendation No. 1 and all related documents, including any subsequent non-substantive amendments, upon review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Victim Services Chief to transmit the grant application referenced in Recommendation No. 1, and any non-substantive amendments, to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: Michael Fermin, Chief Assistant District Attorney, 382-3662)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). Grant funds in the amount of $3,053,239 from California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) will help fund the cost of one Assistant Victim Services Chief, two Supervising Victim Advocates, 41 Victim Advocates, one Mass Victimization Advocate, and three Office Assistant IIIs. The grant requires a local cash match of $372,086, which will be funded from the District Attorney’s Office (Department) existing budget allocation. The Department’s 2024-25 recommended budget includes $3,247,636 from this grant, based on actual award received in 2023-24. Once awarded, the Department will return to the Board of Supervisors (Board) for award acceptance and any necessary budget adjustments.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In accordance with Penal Code Section 13835 et seq., the Department has administered the Victim Witness Assistance Program (Program) for the County since 1980. The Program has received grant funding annually since its inception to provide a wide variety of social services to victims of and witnesses to crimes, including referrals to physical and mental health providers, coordination of volunteer support from the community, and assistance in applying for benefits from the Victim of Crime funds for economic losses. Department staff (Advocates) assist victims and witnesses in the criminal justice system by explaining the process, accompanying victims to court, and providing transportation to and from court when necessary.
On July 15, 2024, Cal OES released its Request for Application (RFA) for Program grant funding for the upcoming period of October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. This grant funding is only available to past year recipients of the Victim Witness Assistance Grant. Continued participation in the Program will allow the Department to continue to provide these vital services for county residents who are victims or witnesses of crimes. Consequently, the Department seeks Board approval to apply for these funds.
The Cal OES Subrecipient Handbook, Section 1.055, requires all grant recipients to obtain written authorization, in the form of a resolution or letter from the Board, that the official executing the agreement is authorized to execute the document. Subrecipients must maintain this written authorization on file and make it available upon demand during audits. A copy of this grant application will be filed with the Clerk of the Board. Approval of this item and Resolution will authorize the Victim Services Chief to electronically execute and submit the grant application and all related documents, including any non-substantive amendments, upon review by County Counsel.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Daniella Hernandez, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on August 28, 2024; Finance (Kathleen Gonzalez, Administrative Analyst, 387-5412) on September 3, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Robert Saldana, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on September 10, 2024.