TITLE
The Mayor and City Council shall hear and possibly take action to enter into an agreement between the City of Maricopa, City of Casa Grande, Pinal County, Community Alliance Against Family Abuse, Dignity Health and Winged Hope Family Advocacy Foundation and such other social service agencies and public service entities may join in the Center hereafter for the design, construction and operation of the Maricopa Family Advocacy Center. 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 June 6, 2017 the Mayor and City Coucil approved the stakeholder agreement and authorized the City Manager to make any necessary minor changes approved by the City Attorney. Since that time, several changes to the agreement have been made by the Partnering Agencies. Although there have been serveral changes, these changes do not alter the intent of the agreement originally approved by the Mayor and City Council.
On April 25, 2017 the stakeholders met and developed a mission statement:
“The Maricopa Family Advocacy Center empowers victims of violence and neglect through the collaboration of connected professionals.”
A Family Advocacy Center combines a safe undisclosed location with specially trained investigators, interviewers, medical personnel, prosecutors and crisis advocates to quickly,efficiently and compassionately investigate violent crimes within the family and sex crimes purview. The location also houses specialty equipoment to enhance the forensic nature of these investigations thus preserving evidence for better adjudication and eliminating the need to go to several locations.
The following stakeholders have provided financial commitments:
Community Alliance Against Family Abuse - $25,000 ( $5,000 per year for five years)
Casa Grande Police Department - $50,000 ($10,000 per year for five years )
Pinal County Sheriff’s Office - $50,000 ($10,000 per year for five years)
Dignity Health - $50,000 ($10,000 per year for five years)
Winged Hope Family Advocacy Foundation - 501(c)3 - Architect, design, construction management labor and fundraising -$50,000 ($10,000 in kind per year for 5 years)
The following stakeholders have provided donations, cost of the examinations or medical equipment for the Family Advocacy Center.
Honor Health - In-Kind Medical Supplies, Electronic Records, Medical Director, and Nurses through contract.
Pinal County Attorney’s Office - Expense of the sexual assault nurse examinations and pediatric exams of children.
Toyota Foundation - $2,500
Core Construction - $7,500
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. During the first five (5) years of the Center's operation, if there remains a deficit after the Steering Committee evaluates these additional resources, the City of MAricopa will contribute the necessay amount to cover such deficit. Any deficits will be covered using RICO funds on deposit with the Pinal County Atorney's Office.
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
6. Criminal Investigations Lieutenant or designee 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.
Additional collaborative partners and social service agencies in Pinal County will be part of the overall Family Advocacy Center in providing 360 degree services to those victims for long term support and services once the construction and design phase is completed. A Letter of Intent for Participatory Involvement will be forthcoming.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Mayor and City Council approve and enter into an agreement between the City of Maricopa, City of Casa Grande, Pinal County, Community Alliance Against Family Abuse, Dignity Health and Winged Hope Family Advocacy Foundation and such other social service agencies and public service entities may join in the Center hereafter for the design, construction and operation of the Maricopa Family Advocacy Center.