REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
October 22, 2024
FROM
JASON ANDERSON, District Attorney
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Subaward for the 2024-25 San Bernardino County Victim/Witness Assistance Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve Grant Subaward with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to accept grant funds in the amount of $3,053,239, for the San Bernardino County Victim/Witness Assistance Program retroactively effective October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025.
2. Authorize the Victim Services Chief to sign and submit invoices, as required by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, on behalf of the County.
3. Authorize the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector to post the necessary budget adjustments, as detailed in the Financial Impact section (Four votes required).
(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). The receipt of 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 the District Attorney’s (Department) Victim Witness Assistance Program (Program). This grant is comprised of federal funding from the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) in the amount of $1,488,344 and State funding of $1,564,895. This grant requires a local match of $372,086, which supports the remaining cost of the Program and is funded within the Department’s existing budget allocation.
The requested budget adjustment, as shown in the table below, is due to a difference between what was budgeted during the annual budget development in 2024-25 and the award amount received. The Department initially projected receiving the same award amount as the 2023-24 grant cycle, which was $2,922,538 in VOCA funds and $325,098 in State funds. However, the award amount for the 2024-25 grant cycle is $1,488,344 in VOCA and $1,564,895 of State funding, resulting in a decrease of $1,434,194 in VOCA and an increase of $1,239,797 in State funding. The net decrease of the grant award is $194,397.
Budget adjustments for 2024-25 are shown in the table below.
|
Fund Center |
Commitment Item |
Description |
Action |
Amount |
|
4500001000 |
40509155 |
Federal - Pass Through |
Decrease |
$1,434,194 |
|
4500001000 |
40408955 |
State - Grants |
Increase |
$1,239,797 |
|
4500001000 |
51001010 |
Regular Salary |
Decrease |
$194,397 |
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In accordance with Penal Code Section 13835 et seq., the Department has administered the 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 September 24, 2024 (Item No. 33), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the Department’s grant application to Cal OES requesting grant funding in the amount of $3,053,239, with a local match of $372,086, to fund Program costs for the period of October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025. This grant is used to help fund one Victim Services Assistant Chief position, two Supervising Victim Advocate positions, 41 Victim Advocate positions, one Mass Victimization Advocate, and three Office Assistant III positions. Additional personnel and operating costs for the Program will be funded using the Department’s general fund.
On September 20, 2024, the Department received an Intent to Fund Letter from Cal OES. The letter stated that Cal OES intends to fund the District Attorney’s Office $3,053,239, with a required local match of $372,086 for the Program. This item is being presented to the Board, at this time, as this is the first date available for presentation since receipt of the Intent to Fund Letter. The Department continues to provide services to victims of crime, and after the award is received, the Department will submit claims for expenses incurred during the grant cycle as Cal OES provides reimbursements.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Daniella Hernandez, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on September 27, 2024; Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector (Charlene Huang, Auditor-Controller Manager, 382-3196) on September 30, 2024; Finance (Kathleen Gonzalez, Administrative Analyst, 387-5412) on October 4, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Robert Saldana, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on October 4, 2024.