Agenda

Return

C. 54

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Kathy Gallagher, Employment & Human Services Director
Date:	December 8, 2020

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

California Office of Emergency Services, Victim Services Branch Funding

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 12/08/2020

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Elaine Burres 608-4960

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: December 8, 2020
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Employment and Human Services Director, or designee, to accept grant funding from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Victim Services Branch (XC) Branch, in an amount not to exceed $420,372 for the period of January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021.

FISCAL IMPACT:

County to receive an amount not to exceed $420,372 from the California State Budget for Fiscal Year 2021 to fund the Elder Abuse Prevention Project for a one year period. The Program is supported through the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Assistance Formula Grant Program which requires a cash and/or in-kind match equal to 20 percent of the total project cost. The Employment and Human Services Department has submitted a Waiver for the Match. If the waiver is not approved, there would be a match of $105,094 with APS funds. (100% Federal) (20% Cash or In-Kind match)

BACKGROUND:

The goal of the Elder Abuse Prevention Project (EAPP) is to bridge the gap in services addressing Elder Abuse. EAPP is designed to provide direct services to elders in a coordinated manner. The program design takes into account approximately 5,400 annual Adult Protective Services (APS) caseload, and focuses on the areas where direct service is most required: financial abuse, case management, and counseling. This focus will increase justice for, and safety of, elder residents of Contra Costa County. The EAPP also allows the County to utilize data from EmpowerDB to ensure that these cases are handled in a coordinated fashion. The EAPP provides a platform to raise awareness in the community by helping all providers and the community to better identify and respond to cases of elder abuse.

This grant funding will be used to:

Continue identification and early intervention of financial abuse of the elderly in Contra Costa County.
Increase victim safety through linkages to mental health services and civil legal services;
Strengthen linkages & working relationships among agency partners working with APS clients to better meet the needs of vulnerable Elders at risk of abuse; and
Increase community awareness and understanding of Elder Abuse leading to better identification of cases by community members.

EHSD’s Aging & Adult Services will partner with Contra Costa Health Services Department (HSD)/Mental Health Division and the District Attorney’s Office, and contracted partners to deliver the elder abuse prevention and interventions outlined in the proposal application to Cal OES.

Pros and cons of request:


Pros:

Leverages existing APS services and community partners to address gaps in services for elder adults and dependent adults who are victims of crime, elder abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation.
Focuses on prevention in order for older adults to be in a safe environment.
Builds capacity for the County’s network of community service providers and Adult Protective Services to continue the success of the Elder Abuse Prevention Program.

Cons:

Sustainability of program funding beyond the end of grant term, December 31, 2021.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

Without funding, the Adult Protection Services division will continue to face an increasing number of vulnerable elder adults facing financial abuse, interpersonal violence, neglect and exploitation.