HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06202000 - D1 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS r ' ,.... .
,.� CONTRA
FROM: Phil Batchelor, County Administrator rri' COSTA
COUNTY
DATE: June 20, 2000 fr
SUBJECT: Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATIONIS):
1. DECLARE that the essential elements of successful implementation of Contra Costa County's policy of
zero to/erenc a for domestk violence include:
✓ Increasing penalties, monitoring and family services at the misdemeanor level to halt the escalation
of violence which leads to human tragedy and high costs of containment;
✓ Strengthening the investigation, prosecution and intensive supervision of felony offenders to protect
Victims and reduce repeat offenses and recidivism; and
✓ Expanding family supports for victims and children to break the generational cycle of aggression and
victimization that characterizes domestic violence.
2. AFFIRM that zero fo%rancae for domestic violence is sound social and fiscal policy, generating
savings in human cost and within the law enforcement, justice, health and social service sectors.
3. EMPHASIZE that there is a profound, long-lasting, negative effect on children who are witnesses or
victims of domestic violence, exposing them to greater risk of becoming adult aggressors or victims.
4. RECOGNIZE that the domestic violence system is complex and multi-faceted, spanning the civil,
criminal, health and service sectors, and that actions taken to strengthen the system In any one area
have corresponding impacts in other areas.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: _ ,-I, YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
=APPROVE _ OTHER.
SIGNATURE($).
ACTION OF BOARD ON Irme 20, 2000APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER
SEE ADDENDUM FOR BOARD ACTION
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A
X UNANIMOUS(ASSENT None ) TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN
AYES: NOES: ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ON MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
Contact: CAO ATTESTED June 20, 2000
Presiding Judge,Superior Court PHIL BATCHELOR;CLERK OF
Sheriff-Coroner THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
District Attorney AD OUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
Public DefenderChief Probation Officer
Health Services Director
Employment and Human Services Director DEPUTY
Battered Women's Alternatives
`--) l �-a0-0 a
ADDENDUM TO ITEM D.1
June 20, 2000
On this date,the Board of Supervisors considered recommendations of County agencies, offices
and the Courts to implement a policy of zero tolerance for domestic violence by strengthening
the civil, criminal and victim services response to domestic violence.
The following people presented testimony:
Kathleen Odne, Dean& Margaret Lesher Foundation, 2538 Pawnee Drive, Walnut
Creek;
Joyce Jones, Battered Women's Alternatives, 45 Rutherford Lane, Pacheco;
Mitzi Sales, Contra Costa Commission for Women, Planned Parenthood, 2185 Pacheco
Street, Concord;
Brigid McCaw, M.A., M.P.H., Kaiser Permanente Richmond;
Kathy Lafferty, 1344 Sherwood Drive, Concord;
Gloria Sandoval, Battered Women's Alternatives, P.O. Box 6406, Concord;
The Board discussed the recommendations, all Supervisors expressed their support, including
the following concerns and comments, :
Supervisor DeSaulnier expressed an opinion that in addition to recommendations considered, it
may be prudent, when the quarterly reports are prepared for the Board's consideration, to request
that the County Chief of Police Association determine what resources are already in place within
the cities, but which the cities would like to add to, and to meet with the public managers for
discussion as part of the work on the comprehensive violence prevention plan, while not relying
on co-coordination to achieve objectives. Also, it is quite important to this issue be added to next
year's legislative package,utilizing the quarterly reports to identify front-end cost savings, and
investigate the possibility of legislation identifying the plan as a pilot county project.
Supervisor Canciamilla noted that investment in the program would expend all of the anticipated
increased revenue from the state this year, and expressed a desire for additional information to
ensure a successful investment. The Supervisor requested information regarding the current
caseloads within the Sheriffs office, the District Attorney's office, the Public Defender,
Probation and the courts relative to domestic violence. Supervisor Canciamilla expressed an
interest in information regarding the action plans, goals, expenditure plans, and the evaluation
process used to determine the effectiveness of the program in each department.
Supervisor Canciamilla also noted a need for more information on what remediating actions the
probation department or the courts would be taking relative to the offenders; and he expressed a
further concern relative to the method of reporting back to the Board of Supervisors, how the
Board would be informed of the departments goals attained or not attained, and the specific
services that are to be provided to provide training of law enforcement or people in the field.
Supervisor Canciamilla requested that the Board consider a broader definition of domestic
violence to incorporate elder abuse.
Supervisor Gioia stated it would be useful to investigate the possibility that Proposition 10 funds
could be used for some of the programs, and to look to the cities for some investment.
Having discussed the matter,the Board took the following action:
ADOPTED the recommendations, with the additional comments and concerns of
Board members included therein.
5. STIPULATE that steps taken to implement the zero tokrancae for domestic violence policy
must be based on specified short- and long-term outcomes and backed by tracking and
evaluation mechanisms to monitor the effectiveness of interventions.
6 DIRECT the County Administrator to give domestic violence interventions and
services a high priority in the 2000-01 Recommended Budget and include the
feasibility of funding the following:
7. ENDORSE the recommendation of the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court to increase early
intervention by focussing resources on the post-conviction process for misdemeanor offenses,
assigning a portion of one Judicial position with clerical support. Recognize that this process
includes the consolidation of family law services involving the victims/children of these
domestic violence offenders.
8. ASSIST victims of misdemeanor offenders with domestic violence case related orders,
including court filings, adding 1 Senior Clerk ($52,500)
9. FURTHER ADDRESS the progressive nature of domestic violence by initiating the active
supervision of misdemeanor offenders in this process, adding 2 Deputy Probation Officers and
1 Senior Clerk. ($213,888).
10. ASSIST the Court in assessing the effectiveness of the Court's Domestic Violence Restraining
Order Clinic Pilot in West County, adding an evaluation component, automating legal forms
and extending this Pilot, currently operating from January 1 through December 31, 2000,
through the end of Fly 00-01 ($81,596).
11. REDUCE repeat offenses and protect victims and children by more closely supervising violent
felony offenders and expanding the intensive supervision of these offenders, adding 1 Deputy
Probation Officer and 1 Probation Supervisor I ($186,929).
12. IMPROVE access to available state funding for mental health and other services for victims and
their children, especially families of misdemeanor offenders by expanding outreach in the
Victim/Witness Program, adding 1 Deputy Probation Officer ($77,690.
13. ENSURE prompt protection of victims and children by Implementing the proposal of the Sheriff
and the Superior Court to automatically enter Restraining Orders into the CLETS computer
system, adding 2 Senior Clerks and system upgrades ($151,500).
14. DESIGNATE the Sheriff's Domestic Violence Case Tracking System as a primary venue for
domestic violence data. EXPAND capacity to track and evaluate the effectiveness of domestic
violence interventions by enhancing this Information system for tracking domestic violence
police reports to disposition and producing statistics that assist in evaluating the results of
Interventions, adding one Senior Clerk, reclassifying the existing Civilian Coordinator position
and upgrading technical programming ($97,500).
15. REDUCE recidivism and the escalation of the cycle of domestic violence through vertical
Investigation of domestic violence misdemeanors, adding 1 Detective and 1 Sergeant to the
Sheriff's Persons Crimes Unit ($215,000).
16. DEVELOP specialized expertise in the prosecution of domestic violence misdemeanors as well
as support for victims in their efforts to cooperate in the prosecution process, adding 2 Deputy
District Attorneys and 2 Case Preparation Assistants ($324,394).
17. ADDRESS the increased workload in the Public Defender's Office as a result of strengthening
other parts of the domestic violence system, adding 1 Deputy Public Defender III ($102,740).
18. IMPROVE access to domestic violence services for the most vulnerable victims of domestic
violence, the economically disadvantaged as well as children at risk of out-of-home placement,
by expanding the existing Employment and Human Services Department's CaIWORKs Domestic
Violence Pilot and Children and Family Services Domestic Violence Pilot, through CBO contracts
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for "Domestic Violence Liaisons" ($327,840---subject to the availability of state and federal
funds).
19. INCREASE capacity to serve victims and their children who are suffering from domestic
violence by training all appropriate County hospital/clinic staff in the identification, appropriate
intervention and referral to domestic violence services ($100,000).
20. INCREASE the availability of critical services for domestic violence victims and their children: 1)
Victims Services--advocacy and support to address legal issues associated with domestic
violence, particularly at the misdemeanor level and 2) Children's Services--
individual/groupJfamily counseling for battered children and for children who witness domestic
violence ($200,000).
21. INCREASE the capacity of all agencies involved in domestic violence issues to better work
together as part of a system by continuing development of interagency protocols and
interagency training on these protocols ($10,000).
22. DIRECT the County Administrator to work with appropriate Department staff to develop
performance measures and submit quarterly reports on the implementation, including the
return on investment, of the zero tolerance for domestic violence policy.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total estimated annual cost to implement the zero tolerance for domestic violence policy
recommendations is $2,141,581, including $193,500 of one-time-only costs. Actual projected costs
for FY 00/01 are $1,650,960, assuming that services begin in the second quarter of the year. The
recommendations add 17 FTEs and expand community-based supports across the agencies and
Departments that provide civil, criminal, social and health interventions and services to domestic
violence offenders and their victims.
See attached summary for more detail
BACKGROUND/REASON(S) FOR RECOI1 MENDATIONtS):
On February 8, 2000, the Board of Supervisors adopted a series of recommendations regarding
domestic violence, including a policy of zero tolerance for domestic violence. The Board
directed the County Administrator to convene a meeting of the appropriate County Departments and
other staff to determine the steps needed to fully implement this policy. On May 23, 2000, the Board
directed the County Administrator to move forward with plans to implement the policy of zero
tolerance for domestic violence.
The County Administrator's Office is in the process of conducting extensive interviews and follow-up
information requests with representatives from all sectors of the domestic violence system—civil and
criminal justice, law enforcement, human and health services, community-based services and
probation. There are also plans to research other County services. Initial findings are as follows:
> Domestic violence is insidious It is characterized by a predictable, escalating cycle that can
result in the injury or death of victims, including children.
➢ Domestic violence is ublquitous. It cuts across all economic and education levels, all age
groups, ethnicities and other social and community characteristics.
➢ Domestic violence is progressive. A recent review of Probation felony domestic violence
offenders in Contra Costa County showed that 38% had prior domestic violence-related
misdemeanor convictions.
➢ Domestic violence is costly, bath in human and organizetlonal terms It contains many
"hidden" costs – job turnover/lost productivity, school absenteeism/low performance – in
addition to the high cost of law enforcement, civil/criminal justice, health services, mental
health and substance abuse treatment, human services and community-based services.
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➢ Substance abuse is a sfgni scant contributing factor (although not necessarily a caused of
domestic violence. In the review of Probation felony domestic violence offenders previously
referenced, 90% had documented histories of substance abuses or were under the influence
of drugs and/or alcohol at the time the felony crime was committed.
➢ Domestic vlolence is learned and generational Studies show that boys who witness family
violence are more likely to batter their female partners as adults than boys raised in nonviolent
homes. Girls who witness their mothers' abuse have a higher rate of being battered as adults.
➢ Domestic vlolence puts children at risk. Children In homes where domestic violence occurs are
physically abused or seriously neglected at a rate of 1500% higher than the national average
in the general population, according to the National Woman Abuse Prevention Project in
Washington, DC.
Investing in activities to address domestic violence at the earliest possible point in the cycle is
effective from a fiscal perspective and worthwhile from a social perspective. Reducing repeat
offenses, recidivism and halting the escalation of violence results in reduced high-end, crisis costs.
Supporting victims through the legal process, providing counseling and other support services, and
especially addressing the special needs of battered children and children witnessing domestic violence
helps break the generational cycle of violence.
An effective response to the problem of domestic violence should focus on interagency collaborations
and developing a system of interventions and supports. Many County Departments and other
agencies already work to align their activities and services. Both economies of scale and elimination
of gaps and overlaps in the domestic violence system can be addressed by the development of
interagency protocols. CAO staff will continue to work with Departments and other agencies to
accomplish this and other items that the Board has identified in their previous Orders with regard to
zero tolerance for domestic violence.
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RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ZERO TOLERANCE FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Agency/Dept. First Year 9 Months One-Time-
Annual (Oct-June) Only Costs Program Description/Recommendation
Sheriff 151,500 125,250 46,500 Victim Protection-Collaboration with Courts to implement automatic
filing of restraining orders with law enforcement.
Add:2 Senior Clerks-$105,000
Technical programming-$46,500
215,000 161,250 - Domestic Violence Unit Services-Improve felony and misdemeanor
investigations.
Add: 1 Detective-deputy Sheriff-$95,000
Add: 1 Sergeant-$120,000
97,500 79,375 25,000 Modify Domestic Violence Database-Expand tracking of
misdemeanors and felonies.
Add: 1 Senior Clerk-$52,500
Reclass: Civilian Coordinator to Manager position-$20,000
Technical programming-$25,000
464,000 365,875 71,500
District 324,394 243,296 - Increase Prosecutions of Misdemeanors-File misdemeanors;
Attorney coordinate positions setting&dispositions; locate and transport
victims/witnesses-, serve subpoenas; provide training to staff&
outside agencies; liaison with CBOs for misdemeanor issues.
Add: 1 Deputy District Attorneys for Central/East-$110,280
Add: 1 Deputy District Attorneys for West-$110,280
Add: 1 Case Preparation Assistant for Central/East-$51,917
Add: 1 Case Preparation Assistant for West-$51,917
Public 102,740 77,055 - Legal Representation-Ensure adequate defense for persons
Defender accused of Domestic Violence.
Add: Deputy Public Defender III-$102,740
Probation 186,929 144,197 12,000 Felony Intensive Supervision Services-Expand intensive supervision
of violent felony offenders.
Add: 1 Deputy Probation Officer-$76,694
Add: 1 Probation Supervisor I-$94,235
Support Services for above-$4,000
Furniture&Equipment for above-$12,000
77,694 58,271 - Victim Witness-Expand victim witness services to victims of
domestic violence.
Add: 1 Deputy Probation Officer-$76,694
Support Services for above-$1,000
213,888 160,416 - Initiate Misdemeanor Probation Services-Initiate supervision of
convicted DV misdemeanors.
Add: 2 Deputy Probation Officers-$153,388
Add: 1 Senior Clerk-$52,500
Support Services for above-$8,000
478,511 362,883 12,000
Courts Assist victims with Restraining Orders and Court filings.
52,500 39,375 - Add: 1 Senior Clerk-$52,500
81,596 81,596 - Extend Domestic Violence Restraining Order Pilot(6 months only)
Includes Evaluation and Automation
134,096 120,971 -
Employment 102,840 77,130 Child Protective Services-Domestic Violence Pilot
&Human Expand CBO contract(2 Domestic Violence Liaisons)
Services
225,000 168,750 - CalWORKS-Domestic Violence Pilot
Expand CSO contract(3 Domestic Violence Liaisons)
327,840 245,880 -
Health 100,000 75,000 100,000 Medical Training-Train all County hospital/clinic staff in
Services identificationlappropriate intervention and referral.
Community 100,000 75,000 - Children's Services-Provide individual/groupliamily counseling
Based 100,000 75,000 - Legal System Support-Victim Support
Services 200,000 150,000 -
Project 10,000 10,000 10,000 Domestic Violence Protocols-Development&Training
Administration
TOTAL 2141,581 1,650,960 193,600