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Police Department Partnership with Next Door Solutions to Domestic ViolenceS OWN of MEETING DATE: May 21, 2012 ITEM NO: COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT DATE: May 9, 2012 TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL FROM: GREG LARSON, TOWN MANAGER SUBJECT: POLICE DEPARTMENT PARTNERSHIP WITH NEXT DOOR SOLUTIONS TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FOR A GRANT FROM THE CALIFORNIA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY. A. ACCEPT A PORTION OF GRANT PROCEEDS FROM NEXT DOOR SOLUTIONS TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT PARTNERSHIP WITH NEXT DOOR SOLUTIONS TO PROVIDE MAXIMUM ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. B. AUTHORIZE A GENERAL FUND BUDGET ADJUSTMENT RECOGNIZING AN INCREASE IN FY 2011/12 POLICE OPERATING GRANT REVENUE IN THE AMOUNT OF $62,500 AND AUTHORIZE A $62,500 EXPENDITURE APPROPRIATION INCREASE TO POLICE OPERATING GRANT PROGRAM ACCOUNT 4809. RECOMMENDATION 1. Accept a portion of grant proceeds from Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence for police department partnership with Next Door Solutions to provide maximum assistance to victims of domestic violence. 2. Authorize a general fund budget adjustment recognizing an increase in FY 2011/12 police operating grant revenue in the amount of $62,500 and authorize a $62,500 expenditure appropriation increase to police operating grant program account 4809. BACKGROUND & DISCUSSION In late 2011, the California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) Domestic Violence Assistance Program amlounced a grant opportunity for the development of collaborative efforts between law enforcement and domestic violence response advocates to build protocols and practices for responding to domestic violence emergencies that exceed the standard response mandated by the agency's Domestic Violence Program. PREPARED BY : SCOTT R. SEAMAN %� CHIEF OF POLICE ��� Reviewed by: Assistant Town Manager Town Attorney Finance U: \Gravel\DG \Staff Reports \NEXT DOOR SOLUTIONS GRANT.doc ' . fpm MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL SUBJECT: STATE OF CALIFORNIA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY GRANT May 9, 2012 The grant required: that the applicant contract for a portion of a law enforcement position within the applicant's service area to act as a liaison between the domestic violence service provider and a law enforcement organization; that training be provided to law enforcement officers and 9 -1 -1 dispatchers on how to most effectively assist victims and connect them with domestic violence services; and to establish and implement practical and sustainable protocols that puts victims in face -to -face contact with a domestic violence advocate as soon as possible after the crime has been committed. Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence, a local domestic violence service provider collaborated with the police department and was successful in obtaining the grant, with total grant award of $125,000. As a gesture of equality between the two partners, an agreement was reached to divide the $125,000 in half between the two agencies. For the police department's part, the $62,500 is budgeted to cover the cost of one police detective, working approximately 12.5 hours per week as the liaison to the domestic violence advocate from Next Door Solutions. That detective is co- located with the domestic violence advocate at the Police Operations Building, and facilitates all training coordinated by the domestic violence advocate for officers and 9 -1 -1 dispatchers. The two also work together in the creation and enhancement of domestic violence call protocols, outreach materials and administrative tools. The remainder of the police department's funding is for a portion of the detective sergeant's position, which is responsible for the supervision of the domestic violence liaison. This is a three year grant, with an annual allocation of $125,000 each year of the three year funding cycle, beginning October 2011, and ending September 30, 2014. Each grant period is for twelve months. A non - competitive reapplication for continuation of funding will be submitted for the second and third year of funding. This report is to accept funding for the first of the three years, so that the police department can receive their half of the first years' allocation, in the amount of $62,500. CONCLUSION Staff recommends that Council accept the grant funds from Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence (via the California Emergency Management Agency), in the amount of $62,500 to support the enhancement of the domestic violence response team and resources being made more readily available to victims in need of assistance. Staff also recommends approval of a general fund budget adjustment recognizing an increase in FY 2011/12 police operating grant revenue in the amount of $62,500 and authorize a $62,500 expenditure appropriation increase to the police operating grant revenue program account 4809. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required. FISCAL IMPACT A budget adjustment will be made to the general fund that will recognize an increase of $62,500 in grant revenue as well as expenditure appropriation increase to the police operations grants program account 4809.