CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
Memo Date: October 26, 2020
Agenda Date: November 10, 2020
Prepared By: Susan L. Lambert, Administrative Assistant
Through: Michael P. Cantaloupe, Chief of Police
Requested Action:
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Approve a Budget Resolution Amending the FY21 Budget, BAF #21-027-A&T (2 Pages), Reducing the Expected Grant Revenues for the VOCA Grant and City Match, and Allow the City Manager to Enter into the Contract.
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BACKGROUND:
The Office of the Attorney General announced earlier this year (January) that funds were available for the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) from the U.S. Department of Justice. The purpose of the funds is to support victims of crime by providing services that respond to the emotional and physical needs of crime victims to stabilize their lives after victimization, assisting them to understand and participate in the criminal justice system with a measure of safety and security.
The Victim Services Program, which began on October 1, 2013, has been a great success and more and more victims are aware of its services and provides more demands on the advocate. The Victim Advocate provides the following services: crisis intervention counseling, follow-up contact for cases, personal advocacy, criminal justice support, information and referrals to local organizations and agencies, emotional support, assistance with property return, assistance with filing crime victim's compensation, assistance in filing injunctions and accompanying the individual to court hearing(s), locating transportation, and assisting with translators. The types of victims/survivors served so far are domestic violence, burglary/home invasion, assault/battery, child victims of physical abuse, homicide, robbery, fraud and elder abuse. The Victim Advocates have created essential working relationships with other criminal justice agencies and local organizations. Both the Victim Advocate Coordinator and the Victim Advocate Position are subject to continued gran...
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