TITLE
The Mayor and City Council shall hear and possibly take action to approve the stakeholder agreement for the Maricopa Family Advocacy Center and authorize the City Manager to make any necessary minor changes to this Agreement as approved by the City Attorney. Discussion and Action.
AGENDA ITEM DESCRIPTION
The City of Maricopa Police Department began researching the need for a Family Advocacy Center in Western Pinal County since 2014 with the completion of a Human Services Needs Assessment and a formal Domestic Violence call to action. In July 2015 the Police Department formed a partnership with Dignity Health and began meeting with stakeholders to develop a proposal for the Mayor and City Council. In September 2016 a formal presentation was made to the Mayor and City Council through the collaborative efforts of Dignity Health and Honor Health. Any adult or child victim requiring a medical forensic examination in Pinal County must travel 45-60 minutes out of the county for services. In these instances the average amount of time an Officer, Victim Advocate or Volunteer is then out of the City and unavailable for service is 5-7 hours. In October 2016 the City of Maricopa was awarded grant funding through Ak-Chin Indian Community State Shared Revenue Funds in the amount of $278,712 for the first year lease, work stations, equipment and remodeling costs for a Family Advocacy Center. This grant was formally accepted by the City Council in January 2017 contingent upon signed agreements by stakeholders to demonstrate sustainability of the project for three to five years. In April 2017 an update was provided on the proposed Family Advocacy Center during a work session.
On April 25, 2017 the stakeholders met and developed a mission statement:
“The Maricopa Family Advocacy Center exists to empower victims of violence and neglect through the collaboration of connected professionals.”
The following stakeholders have provided commitments with intent to sign the agreement with the City:
1. Honor Health - In-Kind Medical Supplies, Electronic Records, Medical Director, and Nurses through contract.
2. Pinal County Attorney’s Office - Expense of the sexual assault nurse examinations and pediatric exams of children.
3. Toyota Foundation - $2,500
4. Community Alliance Against Family Abuse - $25,000 ( $5,000 per year for five years)
5. Casa Grande Police Department - $50,000 ($10,000 per year for five years )
6. Pinal County Sheriff’s Office - $50,000 ($10,000 per year for five years)
7. Dignity Health - $50,000 ($10,000 per year for five years)
8. Winged Hope Family Advocacy Foundation - 501(c)3 - Fundraising, Labor, Remodel, Painting, Furniture and unmet needs
The agreement has been provided reviewed by the above listed stakeholders.
The purpose and intent of the agreement are addressing the following key factors:
1. The partnering agencies will develop protocols and be accountable to the management of the center.
2. Maricopa is the overall day to day manager of the Center subject to the guidance of the Steering Committee.
3. Each partnering agency shall contribute toward the annual operating maintenance and repair costs of the Center.
4. All Center accounts are subject to oversight and control of the Steering Committee
5. The Steering Committee is established by Maricopa and all partnering agencies and the Chairperson of the Committee is subject to change on an annual basis.
6. Criminal Investigations Lieutenant is responsible for implementing the decisions of the Steering Committee.
In the agreement for the Maricopa Family Advocacy Center there is no one agency or individual that has the ability to develop and manage the Center. The agreement provides for the joint leadership of the Maricopa Family Advocacy with each contributing stakeholder.
Municipal Governments which take the lead in Family Advocacy Centers across Arizona:
1. Glendale Family Advocacy Center
2. Mesa Center Against Family Violence
3. Phoenix Family Advocacy Center
4. Scottsdale Family Advocacy Center
5. Southwest Family Advocacy Center ( Avondale, Goodyear, Buckeye, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office)
Attached to the staff report for the Mayor and City Council consideration is the agreement for the stakeholders.
This item will be presented by Police Chief, Steve Stahl.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Mayor and City Council hear and possibly take action on approving the language in the agreement for the Maricopa Family Advocacy Center.