City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: SEPTEMBER 7, 2016
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Grant Application to the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) For Enhancement of the Domestic Violence Intervention Project and Sexual Assault Response Team.
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ISSUE: Consideration of a grant application to the Department of Criminal Justice (DCJS) for ongoing funding to develop and expand the Department of Community and Human Services’ (DCHS) assistance to survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
RECOMMENDATIONS: That City Council:
1) Ratify the submission of an application to DCJS for ongoing funding in the amount of $40,000 to be used to enhance services for victims of intimate partner violence and sexual assault survivors who are residing in the City of Alexandria; and
2) Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: DCHS staff was notified on July 15, 2016 of a competitive ongoing funding opportunity from (DCJS) for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Programs. The application was due on September 2, 2016. Because staff received notification of the funding availability while the City Council was in recess, the Department received permission from the City Manager’s Office to submit the grant application pending formal City Council ratification at the September 13, 2016 Council meeting. Council was notified of the intent to apply for these funds in a memorandum dated, August 25, 2016. Grant awards will be provided to support the development and expansion of services for domestic violence and sexual assault programs.
DCHS has received funding for Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence programs for more than 20 years to fund sexual assault and domestic violence crisis and core services. This grant would be in addition to the grant that DCHS is already receiving from DCJS.
DISCUSSION: The grant application requests $40,000 in combined personnel and non-personnel costs to coordinate, develop, implement and administer a strategic plan, training and a coordinator position for the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) and Domestic Violence Intervention Project (DVIP). Grant funds would improve the quality of our citywide coordinated response to domestic violence and sexual assault. This grant will complement the crisis and core services being provided by the current grants. The funding period is January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018.
The proposed staffing plan includes hiring a part-time (0.5 FTE) Project Management Analyst II, GS 17, who will coordinate the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART)/Domestic Violence Intervention Project (DVIP), support a regional coordinated response effort and identify agencies.
In addition, $5,000 will be requested for a consultant to assist in developing and implementing a five year strategic plan for SART and DVIP. DCHS is also requesting $3,477 to provide trauma informed services and best practice training to SART and DVIP members to ensure that the Department is providing a trauma competent system for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.
FISCAL IMPACT: The funding request in this grant application totals $40,000. There is a 20 percent City cash match required. Existing funds within DCHS will be redirected to fund the cash match of $13,333.
Grant funding is expected to be ongoing. Nevertheless, the individual who fills this grant-funded position will be notified that the position may terminate if grant funds become unavailable in the future. The employee will also be required to sign an agreement of understanding about this as a condition of employment at the time they are hired. If grant funding becomes unavailable in the future, outcome data will be analyzed to determine the project’s effectiveness and may be used to search for alternative funding and/or to reprioritize current DCHS funding to support the program's continuation. If, however, grant funding becomes unavailable and alternative ongoing funding cannot be secured, the position will be eliminated.
STAFF:
Debra R. Collins, Deputy City Manager
Kate Garvey, Director, Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS)
Morgan Routt, Director, Office of Management and Budget
Deborah Warren, Director, Center for Children and Families, DCHS
Raphael Obenwa, Fiscal Officer III, DCHS
Debra Evans, Division Chief, DCHS