From
Fred Bates, Jr.
Title
Resolution supporting the one-year continuation of the Police Department's Victim Assistance Program grant in the amount of $139,802
Presenter
Ronnie Morris, Assistant Chief - Investigative Services Bureau
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
The Police Department is interested in applying to the Criminal Justice Division (CJD) of the Governor’s Office for a one-year continuation grant for the Victim Assistance Program, which consists of two full-time Crime Victim Services Coordinators.
The Crime Victim Services Coordinators continue to plan, coordinate, and administer the Victim Assistance Program by recruiting, training, and supervising volunteers and interns; providing personal advocacy for crime victims and their families; planning, implementing, and monitoring new programs pertaining to victim outreach; court accompaniment and interfacing with law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, and others on behalf of victims; assisting victims in securing Crime Victims Compensation benefits; providing community education programs; and participating as a member of the Coalition of Crime Victim Services, Law Enforcement Victim Assistance, and Grand Prairie Human Services Coalition.
In 2019, the Victims Assistance Unit provided services in the following categories; Crisis Counseling (61), Information / Referrals (2,504), Justice Support Advocacy (776), Emergency Legal Assistance (1,334), Assistance in Filing Compensation Claims (1,757), and Personal Advocacy (1,537). The 2020 year-to-date statistics are an anomaly due to the COVID-19 event. Currently, these categories are; Crisis Counseling (22), Information / Referrals (576), Justice Support Advocacy (258), Emergency Legal Assistance (262), Assistance in Filing Compensation Claims (336), and Personal Advocacy (417).
The Grand Prairie Police Department’s Victims Assistance Unit provides a valuable service to community members in assisting crime victims in navigating the legal process, as well as offering assistance to survivors in the healing and recovery process.
The Public Safety, Health and Environment Committee reviewed this item on June 1, 2020 and recommended that it be forwarded to City Council for approval.
Financial Consideration
The grant period begins October 1, 2020 and ends September 30, 2021. It is anticipated the total cost for the City during this 12-month period would amount to a match of $34,950. The match will be a combination of cash and in-kind. The appropriate amount of cash match will be allocated in the FY 2020/2021 budget. The in-kind match will be calculated using volunteer hours through a formula established by CJD. The City will use the maximum amount of in-kind match, based on a conservative projection of volunteer hours. The remaining match amount will be a cash match. The total project cost is $174,752, where $139,802 will be funded by CJD, and $34,950 will be funded through cash or in-kind match. Continued participation in this grant program, requires the City to provide documentation of financial commitment to CJD each year of participation.
Body
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, IN SUPPORT OF A GRANT FROM THE TEXAS CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVISION OF THE GOVERNORS OFFICE FOR THE VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, TO BECOME EFFECTIVE UPON ITS PASSAGE AND APPROVAL
WHEREAS, the Texas Criminal Justice Division of the Governor’s Office is accepting grant applications for the Victims of Crime Act;
WHEREAS, the Grand Prairie Police Department wishes to apply for funding of the Victim Assistance Program;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas that:
SECTION 1. The City of Grand Prairie is authorized to submit an application and accept an award for a criminal justice grant for the Victim Assistance program (grant number 1359120 PY21).
SECTION 2. The City of Grand Prairie agrees to provide any applicable cash match.
SECTION 3. The City Manager of the City of Grand Prairie is empowered to accept, reject, alter or terminate this grant on behalf of the City Council.
SECTION 4. In the event of loss or misuse of CJD funds, the City Council of the City of Grand Prairie assures that the funds will be returned to CJD in full.
SECTION 5. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval in accordance with the Charter of the City of Grand Prairie and it is accordingly so resolved.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, ON THIS THE 2nd DAY OF JUNE, 2020.