City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: FEBRUARY 21, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: KATE GARVEY, DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND HUMAN SERVICES
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Grant Application to the Virginia Department of Social Services for the Sexual and Domestic Violence American Rescue Plan Act Grant.
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of a grant application to the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) requesting new funding for the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) to continue providing programming for domestic violence and sexual violence.
RECOMMENDATIONS: That City Council:
(1) Approve the grant application; and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: For more than 20 years DCHS has received funding from the Virginia Department of Social Services which supported two full-time staff positions for the domestic violence crisis and core services. During the 2022 General Assembly, a supplemental funding pool for local sexual assault and domestic violence programs was authorized. This supplemental funding will end on June 30, 2025. The Virginia Department of Social Services was authorized to administer a competitive grant process for local sexual and domestic violence programs.
DISCUSSION: VDSS released the notification of the opportunity to apply for a competitive grant on January 20, 2023, and further funding guidance and award thresholds were to follow the week of January 31, 2023. In anticipation of VDSS’ funding guidance, the staff is proposing a request for funding to enhance and expand DCHS’s programming for domestic violence and sexual assault programs. This will include funding to pay for at-will staff and staff members to cover the Safehouse on weekends and holidays, funding to pay for short-term therapy services for survivors of sexual and domestic violence, and racial and social equity training and training to combat vicarious trauma. In addition, this funding will cover expenses related to Doxy.me, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) compliant telehealth portal.
FISCAL IMPACT: Grant awards will be for 24 months and there is no match requirement. DCHS will request $110,000 which is the maximum allotted amount. VDSS has allotted $80,000 for Sexual Assault Centers and $30,000 for Domestic Violence Programs.
ATTACHMENTS: None.
STAFF:
Kendel Taylor, Interim Deputy City Manager
Federico Gutierrez, Deputy Director, Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS)
Morgan Routt, Director, Office of Management and Budget
Raphael Obenwa, Fiscal Officer III, DCHS
Nancy Sarpong, Fiscal Officer II, DCHS
Debra Evans, Division Chief, DCHS