City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: FEBRUARY 20, 2024
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: KATE GARVEY, DIRECTOR,
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND HUMAN SERVICES
DOCKET TITLE:
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Consideration of a Grant Application to the Department of Criminal Justice Services for the Victims of Crime Act Victim Services Grant Program.
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ISSUE: Consideration of a Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Services Program grant application to the Department of Criminal Justice (DCJS) seeking funding for the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) to support survivors of domestic violence and sexual violence.
RECOMMENDATIONS: That City Council:
1. Authorize the grant application for competitive funding to DCJS for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 to 2027 in the amount of $200,000 with a twenty percent (20%) match requirement to enhance services for victims of intimate partner violence and sexual assault survivors residing in the City of Alexandria. The matching funds requirement will be met using in-kind volunteer hours from the Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Program. Contingent on funding availability, awarded projects may receive continuation funding in State Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: For more than 20 years DCHS has received DCJS funding which supports staff positions for the City’s sexual assault and domestic violence crisis and core services. Additional grant funding through the competitive process in the amount of $200,000 would support the following:
• Human Services Specialist II/Court Advocate (1.0 FTE) responsible for providing court accompaniment to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence with a focus on underserved populations;
• Human Services Specialist II/ Court Advocate (.5 FTE) responsible for providing court accompaniment to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence with a focus on the underserved population; and
• LGBTQ consultant responsible to increase/improve appropriate service responses through the training of allied professionals, the continuity of the LGBTQ Taskforce, and community engagement, including the LGBTQ Pride Fair.
DISCUSSION: DCHS was notified by DCJS of the opportunity to apply for a competitive grant Victims Services Grant Program (VSGP) grant on December 18, 2023, and the grant application is due March 1, 2024. The grant award will support the development and expansion of services for domestic violence and sexual assault programs.
Funding sought through the competitive process would continue to improve the quality of court advocacy and accompaniment response to domestic violence and sexual assault criminal and civil cases and complement the already existing programs. In addition to the court advocacy positions, this grant would support the continuity of the LGBTQ Taskforce which provides training to allied professionals who provide direct service to survivors, and the LGBTQ Pride Fair. Without this funding, these critical services would not be able to continue.
FISCAL IMPACT: The funding request in this grant application is for the period covering
FY 2025 totals $200,000.
Individuals occupying roles funded by this source will be informed that these positions could end in the event grant funds become unavailable. New employees hired under this funding source will also be required to sign an agreement to understand this as a condition of employment when 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. If, however, grant funding becomes unavailable and alternative ongoing funding cannot be secured, the positions will be eliminated.
ATTACHMENTS: None.
STAFF:
Kendel Taylor, Interim Deputy City Manager
Federico Guiterrez, Assistant Director, Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS)
Morgan Routt, Director, Office of Management and Budget
Barbara Paulson, Director, Center for Children and Families, DCHS
Raphael Obenwa, Fiscal Officer III, DCHS
Nancy Sarpong, Fiscal Officer II, DCHS
Debra Evans, Division Chief, DCHS