HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 04272010 - C.33RECOMMENDATION(S):
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Employment and Human Services Director, or designee,
to apply for and accept a continuation grant in the amount of $350,000 on behalf of the
County’s Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence Initiative (ZTDV) from the Department of
Justice, Office on Violence Against Women for the “Safe Havens: Supervised Visitation
and Safe Exchange Grant Program” for a three-year term effective upon the date of award.
FISCAL IMPACT:
$350,000: 100% Federal Funding (CFDA# 16.527) No County match required.
BACKGROUND:
Studies have shown that the risk of violence is often greater for victims of domestic
violence and their children after separation from an abusive situation. The Safe Havens
Supervised Visitation and Exchange Program (Safe 4 Us) will continue to target
low-income families from West Contra Costa County. As one of the most economically
distressed areas in the County, this region maintains one of the highest rates of domestic
violence and crime. Safe 4 Us will be used
APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY
ADMINISTRATOR
RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD
COMMITTEE
Action of Board On: 04/27/2010 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
AYE:John Gioia, District I
Supervisor
Gayle B. Uilkema, District II
Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III
Supervisor
Susan A. Bonilla, District IV
Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V
Supervisor
Contact: 925.313.1648
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board
of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: April 27, 2010
David J. Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By: KATHERINE SINCLAIR, Deputy
cc: Juliana Granzotto, Earl Maciel
C.33
To:Board of Supervisors
From:Joe Valentine, Employment & Human Services Director
Date:April 27, 2010
Contra
Costa
County
Subject:Appply for and Accept Funding for Safe Havens: Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Grant
BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)
as a model for other visitation programs in the country.
Safe 4 Us, operated by Community Violence Solutions, is a collaborative of the Superior
Court, STAND! Against Domestic Violence, the Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence
Initiative. Bay Area Legal Aid, Contra Costa County’s Health Services Department
(Children’s Mental Health), the Probation Department, and the Richmond and San Pablo
Police Departments. With this continuation funding, Contra Costa seeks to enhance the Safe
4 Us Supervised Visitation and Exchange Program it has implemented over the past four
years under this OVW grant through the following goals and objectives: Goal 1: Continue to
operate the supervised visitation and safe exchange center in a highly accessible location for
low-income families of West County. Objectives: a) Over three years, to provide low cost
visitation and exchange to 300 families (900 individuals to be served) in West Contra Costa
County; b) Design and launch a volunteer program; c) Strengthen case management efforts;
d) Increase safety for adult victims and their children by way of effective engagement with
men/fathers who batter; e) Increase interaction with children to ensure their needs are being
met; and f) Increase staff training. Goal 2: Further improve access for victims to advocacy
and support services. Objectives: a) Provide regular access to CVS services; b) Provide
regular access to STAND! services; c) Provide regular access to Bay Area Legal Aid
services; d) Provide regular training from advocacy agencies to Safe 4 Us and vice versa.
Goal 3: Further improve communication and standardize approaches with the Superior
Court on supervised visitation issues. Objectives: a) Hold regular meetings between Safe 4
Us staff and Family Court Services administrator to review select cases; b) Collaboratively
develop a plan for gradual transition of supervised visitation services; and c) Work with
Family Court Services to identify and address other systems issues that account for victim
safety in custody and visitation-related issues.
Safe 4 Us will advance the county’s long-range goal to establish programs that promote the
safety of victims as well as their children; that hold perpetrators accountable; and that
demonstrate effectiveness for statewide and national significance in violence prevention.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT: