HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 09092014 - D.7RECOMMENDATION(S):
1. OPEN the public hearing on the proposed $1.00 increase in fees for certified copies of
marriage certificates, birth certificates, death records, and fetal death records, RECEIVE
testimony, and CLOSE the public hearing.
2. ACKNOWLEDGE the Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence Initiative as the County’s
sole systematic effort to address domestic violence and family violence prevention.
3. ACKNOWLEDGE the Family Justice Center’s community focused model of integrating
services across traditional service silos, and its alignment with the Zero Tolerance for
Domestic Violence Initiative.
4. ACKNOWLEDGE the dedication and commitment of the District Attorney, the
Employment and Human Services Department, the Health Department, local law
enforcement, city officials, and community service providers to reducing violence and
abuse. These organizations established the West County Family Justice Center, and are
making progress towards planning a Central and East County Family Justice Center.
APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
Action of Board On: 09/09/2014 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
AYE:John Gioia, District I
Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II
Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV
Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V
Supervisor
ABSENT:Mary N. Piepho, District III
Supervisor
Contact: Devorah Levine,
925-313-1524
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: September 9, 2014
David J. Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By: June McHuen, Deputy
cc: Jachyn Davis, Deputy County Counsel, Tim Ewell, Senior Deputy CAO, Chief Guy Swanger, Concord PD, Debi Cooper, Deputy Clerk-Recorder,
Lauren Brosnan, EHSD, Devorah Levine, EHSD-ZTDV
D.7
To:Board of Supervisors
From:David Twa, County Administrator
Date:September 9, 2014
Contra
Costa
County
Subject:Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence Oversight and Coordination
5. DIRECT the Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence Initiative to establish a Countywide
Family Justice Center Network as a key component of the initiative.The Zero Tolerance for
Domestic Violence
RECOMMENDATION(S): (CONT'D)
Initiative will provide regional coordination and planning. Additionally, the staff will
engage County departments, local law enforcement, city officials, community service
providers, community members, and other key stakeholders in establishing the Family
Justice Center Network.
6. ADOPT the Family Justice Center multidisciplinary model as a best practice approach
to interrupting intergenerational cycles of violence and abuse in Contra Costa County.
This model addresses victim safety, offender accountability, and provides access to
services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, elder or dependent adult abuse,
child abuse, and human trafficking.
7. ADOPT Resolution No. 2014/334 , establishing a $1.00 increase in fees for certified
copies of marriage certificates, birth certificates, death records, and fetal death records,
effective January 1, 2015, pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 103626.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The current fees for certified copies are as follows: $31.00 for a birth certificate; $18.00
for a marriage certificate; and $24.00 for a death certificate. It is anticipated that a $1.00
increase in each of these fees could generate approximately $91,000 in additional revenue
to carry out the purpose of the Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence Initiative.
BACKGROUND:
The Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence Initiative
In 2001, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors launched the Zero Tolerance for
Domestic Violence Initiative (Zero Tolerance ). Zero Tolerance is a public/private
partnership designed to reduce domestic violence, family violence, elder abuse and
human trafficking in Contra Costa County. The initiative is aligning policies, practices
and protocols, coordinating services, and creating a climate where violence and abuse are
not tolerated.
In 2001, the Board sought legislative authorization for governmental oversight of this
multi-agency initiative, and a funding source for this governmental oversight. In July
2001, Governor Gray Davis signed SB 425 (Torlakson) into law, enacting the Zero
Tolerance for Domestic Violence Act. SB 425 authorized the Board of Supervisors to
increase fees for certified copies of marriage licenses, confidential marriage licenses,
marriage certificates, birth, fetal death, and death records, up to a maximum of $2.00. The
fee increase would provide funding for governmental oversight and coordination of
domestic violence prevention, intervention, and prosecution efforts. The fee increase
would be in addition to the existing fees collected by the Clerk-Recorder for certified
copies of these records. The Act included a repeal date of January 1, 2007.
In 2001, the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 2001/559, which authorized a
$1.50 fee increase for certified copies. In 2003, the Board of Supervisors adopted
Resolution No. 2003/687, which authorized a $0.50 fee increase for certified copies.
On September 30, 2006, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger approved Senate Bill 968,
which amended the Act by deleting the January 1, 2007 repeal date, and increased the
Board of Supervisors’ authority to increase the fee for certified copies to a maximum
increase of $4.00.
In 2006, the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 2006/717, authorizing a $1.00
fee increase for certified copies. To date, the Board of Supervisors has increased the fees
for certified copies by a total of $3.00. Adoption of Resolution No. 2014/334 would
increase the fees for certified copies of marriage certificates, birth certificates, death
records, and fetal records by $1.00. If the fee increase is adopted, $4.00 of the total fee
charged by the Clerk-Recorder for certified copies of marriage certificates, birth
certificates, death records, and fetal death records would be used to fund governmental
oversight and coordination of the Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence Initiative.
The Family Justice Center Model
The Family Justice Center (FJC) brings multiple agencies (County departments and
community based organizations) together under one umbrella to coordinate wrap-around
service delivery for victims of violence, their families, children, and youth. The FJC’s
focus on integrating and coordinating services and strengthening the County’s
responsiveness to families experiencing violence is aligned with the Act. Similarly to the
Act, the FJC is a multifaceted intervention that engages civil, criminal, health, and social
service sectors to align services, protocols and policies so that victims and their families
receive comprehensive services in one location.
The FJC is not another bureaucracy. Instead, the model adds efficiency and strengthens
relationships among agencies and professionals already dedicated to helping victims of
violence. The FJC has been identified as a best practice approach to interrupting
intergenerational cycles of violence and abuse by the United States Department of
Justice. Outcomes of the FJC model include: (1) reduced homicides; (2) enhanced police
investigation and increased convictions; (3) increased victim safety; (4) increased
autonomy and empowerment for victims; (5) reduced fear and anxiety for victims and
their children; and (6) increased efficiency and coordination among service providers. On
July 7, 2014, the Governor signed AB 1623 (Atkins) into law, authorizing counties to
establish family justice centers, providing a common definition of a family justice center,
and training requirements for family justice center staff.
Progress to Date
In 2011, the first Family Justice Center in the County opened in a temporary location in
Richmond. The opening of the FJC was a collaboration of Zero Tolerance, the Richmond
Police Department, the City of Richmond, advocacy agencies and survivors of violence.
In 2012, Supervisor John Gioia identified a vacant County-owned building in Richmond,
and sought the Board of Supervisors’ support to develop the building as the permanent
home of the West Contra Costa Family Justice Center (WCCFJC). The County
successfully transferred the property to the City of Richmond in 2014, and the City
provided a two-million dollar bond for renovations. The grand opening is expected in the
spring of 2015. To date, the WCCFJC has served over 500 victims and their families.
In 2014, under the leadership of the Mayor of Concord and the Concord Police
Department, planning efforts began to establish a Central County Family Justice Center.
The planning process is well underway, and has approximately 100 stakeholders engaged
from the community. Preliminary discussions to assess readiness for an FJC in East
County have also begun. The desire to establish FJC’s in Central and East County have
underscored the need for establishing a Family Justice Center Network. A Countywide
Family Justice Center Network will ensure an efficient use of resources, consistent access
to quality services, streamlining of policies, and a coordinated focus on the needs of
families experiencing violence.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The action will not be approved by the Board of Supervisors, including the $1.00 fee
increase.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
Domestic violence is ubiquitous. It is learned and generational. It cuts across all
economic and education levels, all age groups, ethnicities, and other social and
community characteristics. Domestic violence is insidious. It is characterized by a
predictable, escalating cycle that can result in injury or death of victims, including
children. Domestic violence puts children at risk.
ATTACHMENTS
Zero Tolerance Presentation
Resolution No. 2014/334
An Initiative of the Contra Costa County
Board of Supervisors
1
•Interrupting the generational, traumatic, and
progressive cycle of violence
•Domestic/Family Violence, Sexual Assault, and
Human Trafficking in Contra Costa County
2
EVERYONE HAS A RIGHT TO LIVE IN
SAFETY
•Public Systems and Private Providers Working
Together to Create a Safe and Nurturing
Community
•First in California (SB 968)
•Documented Success
•Adopting Best Practice Strategies
3
FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER –
INTEGRATING SERVICES
Department of Justice Best Practice and CA Legislation
Impact
•Reduced homicides
•Increased safety
•Increased efficiency
Progress to Date
•Established West County Family Justice Center
•Piloting Central County Family Justice Center
Strengthening Success
•Countywide Family Justice Center Network
4
BENEFITS OF A
FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER
•Prevalence and Impact of Violence and Abuse in
the Home
•An Innovative Crime Prevention Strategy
5
WEST CONTRA COSTA
FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER
EXPERIENCE AND RESULTS
6
7
8
9
Safety
Planning
Victim
Peer
Counseling
Restraining
Order
Assistance
Victims of
Crime
Compensation
Program Family Law
Assistance
Court
Support
Law
Enforcement
Assistance
Access to
Counseling
and
Mental
Health
Services
Emotional
Support
Advocacy
Assistance
With
Emergency
Shelter
10
Victim
Peer
Counseling Emotional
Support
Access to
Counseling
and Mental
Health
Services
Court
Support Safety
Planning
Law
Enforcement
Assistance
Assistance
With
Emergency
Shelter
Advocacy
Family
Law
Assistance
Victims of
Crime
Compensation
Program
Restraining
Order
Assistance
11
OUR PARTNERS INCLUDE:
•Law Enforcement:
•Police Departments
•District Attorney’s Office
•County Services:
•Adult Protective Services
•Children and Family Services
•Workforce Services
•Mental Health Services
•Alcohol and Drug Services
•Office of Supervisor John Gioia
•Community Services:
•STAND! For Families Free of Violence
•Community Violence Solutions
•Bay Area Legal Aid
•Deaf Hope
•The Latina Center
•Familias Unidas
•Community Health for Asian Americans
•Narika
•RYSE Center
•Rainbow Community Center
12
WHO ARE OUR CLIENTS?
•Since February, 2011 to date:
•700 unduplicated clients from 37 cities and 8
counties
•80% of clients from Richmond and San Pablo
•10% are men
•41% Latinos, 20% African Americans, 11% Whites,
and 8% Pacific Islanders
•70% have children in common with abusers
•35% received services in languages other than
English
13
OUR MOST RECENT SURVEY OF
CLIENTS FOUND:
•Nearly 60% of our clients were
unemployed
•30% requested more information
about public benefits
•35% had health concerns
•17% had no transportation
14
WHAT TYPES OF ABUSE ARE REPORTED
TO THE CENTER?
•60% report domestic violence
•9% report sexual assault
•8% report child abuse
•4% elder abuse
15
SUCCESSFUL CONNECTIONS
•Over 900 successful connections to
victim services
•Average of 2.67 connections with on-site
partners
•256 civil legal service connections
•150 connections to domestic violence
advocacy
•120 connections to support groups
•50 connections to counseling
16
CLIENT OUTCOMES
•“Thank you so much for leading me to the right path. I learned a lot from talking to you all.”
• “What took you so long? You should have done this years ago.”
•“I felt heard for the first time in a long time. I felt safe to ask questions.”
•"I would have liked to see even more services offered on site and for legal representatives to be available every day."
•"I think what you are doing is really amazing.”
Our clients get Safer, Sooner. They shared:
17
OPPORTUNITY –
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
FAMILY JUSTICE NETWORK
•Policy
•Partnership
•Preventing Violence and Abuse
18
For more information, please contact:
Devorah Levine
DLevine@ehsd.cccounty.us
925-313-1524
THANK YOU
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