TITLE
The Mayor and City Council shall hear and possibly take action to accept a grant award from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant for Victim Advocates at the Maricopa Police Department in the amount of $659,398. There is a twenty percent (cash or in-kind) match of $164,850. Match for this project is available through volunteered services, victim assistance activities, materials and equipment in the general fund, police support and uniformed services (10022123,10022122). Discussion and Action.
AGENDA ITEM DESCRIPTION
The Arizona Department of Public Safety, Victims of Crime Act grant supports and promotes quality services for crime victims partnering with local agencies throughout Arizona that perform the essential work of victim assistance. The provision of rights and mandated services outlined in the Arizona's Constitution and the Victims' Rights Act provide the beginnng of a foundation of important services to crime victims. There is approximately $44 million per federal fiscal year in Arizona and $132 million total for the grant cycle. The award period for this grant application is October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2020.
Matching contributions are required for each VOCA project and must be derived from non-federal sources. All funds designated as match are restricted to the same uses as the VOCA assistance grant funds and must be expended within the grant period. In-kind match may include donation of volunteer professional services, materials and equipment, space and facilities and non-VOCA funded victim-assistance activities.
Within this project the Maricopa Police Department requested to continue the current Court Advocate and Crisis Advocate positions and add a Domestic Violence Response Advocate Position. All three positions are full-time. Additional items within the application include memberships to victim service coalitions and associations, national training and supplies for a three year period. On August 1, 2017 the Mayor and City Council approved the submittal of this grant application.
On December 14, 2017 the Maricopa Police Department recieved award notification for the grant and was funded in full. Please see the attached approved VOCA budget.
The match of twenty percent will be met through a portion of the Community Programs Manager's time, Volunteers responding to crisis incidents, training, the victim services data base and licensure costs, cell phones, supplies, postage, and materials for victims. These are available in general fund support and uniformed services. (10022123 and 10022122)
This item will be presented by Police Chief Steve Stahl and Community Programs Manager Mary Witkofski.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Mayor and City Council take action to accept a grant award from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant for Victim Advocates at the Maricopa Police Department in the amount of $659,398. There is a twenty percent (cash or in-kind) match of $164,850. Match for this project is available through volunteered services, victim assistance activities, materials and equipment in the general fund, police support and uniformed services (10022123,10022122).