City of Alexandria, Virginia
________________
MEMORANDUM
DATE: APRIL 18, 2018
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of an Application to the Virginia Department of Social Services’ Domestic Violence Services for Underserved Populations Grant.
BODY
_________________________________________________________________
ISSUE: Consideration for the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) Domestic Violence Program to apply for a Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) new grant, entitled Domestic Violence Services for Underserved Populations.
RECOMMENDATIONS: That City Council:
1) Authorize the submission of a grant application to VDSS for one-time funding in the amount of $59,824 to be used to provide core services and volunteer support for victims of domestic violence;
2) Approve an increase of one grant funded, part-time Outreach Education Specialist (0.75 FTE); and
3) Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: Since Fiscal Year 1993, the Domestic Violence Program has received grant funding from VDSS to support two full-time staff members who provide core services and volunteer support for victims of domestic violence. VDSS issued a new Request for Proposals (RFP) for Domestic Violence Services for Underserved Populations. This grant opportunity would enhance the Domestic Violence Program’s ability to meet the needs of underserved populations.
DISCUSSION: The grant is for one year, July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019, with an option to renew for two years. The grant application would include a request for funding to support a part-time position to develop relationships with organizations in the Amharic and Arabic speaking communities, to provide trauma-informed training to service providers working with clients in underserved communities, and development and distribution of domestic violence materials in Amharic and in Arabic.
The deadline to submit the grant application is April 19, 2018. As staff received notification of the funding availability in March and did not have sufficient time to seek prior City Council approval, the Department received permission from the City Manager’s Office to submit the grant application pending formal City Council approval at the April 24, 2018 Council meeting. If this grant application is not approved by City Council, it will be withdrawn.
FISCAL IMPACT: This application requests $59,824 in State funding, and requires a 20 percent match of $14,956, for a total program cost of $74,780. DCHS will be using in-kind as the match requirement through Domestic Violence volunteer hours.
Grant funding will be used for this position and the individual who fills this 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.
ATTACHMENTS: None.
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
Stacey D. Hardy-Chandler, Director, Center for Children and Families, DCHS
Raphael Obenwa, Fiscal Officer III, DCHS
Debra Evans, Division Chief, Sexual Assault Center and Domestic Violence Program, DCHS