No fiscal impact. Stipends are not provided for this office.
On June 14, 2016, the Board of Supervisors received a presentation by the Employment and Human Services Department on the formation of the Contra Costa Family Justice Alliance and coordination and funding activities for Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence initiatives. The Board voted unanimously to appoint one of its members to represent the Board of Supervisors on the Contra Costa Family Justice Alliance. I am recommending that Supervisor Karen Mitchoff be appointed, effective September 1, 2016 for a initial 28 month term ending on December 31, 2018. Thereafter, seat terms will be for two years in duration, ending on December 31.
The Family Justice Alliance seeks to build on the success of the Contra Costa Family Justice Centers to ensure a compassionate, comprehensive response to the needs of victims experiencing family violence regardless of where they live. Building on the current foundation of the Family Justice Centers, the Family Justice Alliance will provide a formalized structure for shared governance and sustainability of the Contra Costa Family Justice Centers in order to ensure the efficient use of resources, consistent access to quality services across communities, streamlining of policies, and a coordinated focus on the needs of families experiencing violence in Contra Costa County. The Family Justice Alliance will leverage the combined strengths of local and regional public, nonprofit, and private partners to improve outcomes for victims and their families in a way that will be responsive to the diverse needs, geographies, and cultures of the western, central, and eastern regions of the county. Ultimately, the Contra Costa Family Justice Alliance will coordinate a comprehensive countywide safety net for victims of family violence, including those affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, and human trafficking and their families.
Specifically, the Family Justice Alliance will:
- Provide infrastructure, including workspace, supplies, and communications, for partners who co-locate services at the Family Justice Centers in order to increase efficiencies and ensure high-quality service delivery;
- Encourage collaboration among partners in order to align and integrate victim services;
- Inform and engage local communities in family violence prevention and response;
- Identify and share promising practices with partners;
- Work with partners to identify and pursue funding opportunities to support these activities; and
- Support integration of data and tracking of outcomes by:
- Working with partners to use common data collection tools,
- Identifying outcomes for all partners to track, and
- Encouraging data sharing among partners as appropriate, without compromising victim confidentiality and safety.
PROPOSED GOVERNANCE MODEL
The Contra Costa Family Justice Alliance has been established as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Figure 2 provides an overview of the proposed organizational structure for the Family Justice Alliance, and is followed by descriptions of the various levels and groups within the proposed structure.
The proposed structure of the Family Justice Alliance Board of Directors is intended to maintain and enhance support from a diverse set of public agencies and private and nonprofit organizations and draw upon the experience and expertise of individual community members. The structure of the Board mirrors the public/private partnerships already in place at each Center. To ensure ongoing participation and support from key public agencies and private organizations, the Board of Directors will include institutional seats in addition to individual seats. The Board will be composed of 13 seats: seven institutional seats and six individual seats. All directors will be asked to serve for at least two years to build continuity. Institutional seats will include representatives of public, private, and non-profit organizations.
The proposed institutional seats include:
1. The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors;
2. Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence;
3. The Contra Costa County Mayor's Conference;
4. The Contra Costa County Police Chiefs Association;
5. The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office;
6. A nonprofit, community-based victim services organization; and
7. The East Bay Leadership Council.
The Board of Directors' responsibilities will include:
- Developing and sustaining the Family Justice Alliance mission, vision, and values;
- Setting and upholding policies;
- Participating in short- and long-term strategic planning while ensuring survivor input;
- Approving annual project budgets and monitoring financial performance;
- Assisting with fundraising;
- Selecting and evaluating the Family Justice Alliance Executive Director;
- Supporting the Family Justice Alliance Executive Director and staff in fulfilling program goals;
- Providing input into program development;
- Serving as an ambassador for the Family Justice Alliance within the community and with key partners; and
- Assisting with communication and education of the public
If the Board elects not to approve the recommendation, then the Board will not be represented on the Contra Costa Family Justice Alliance.
The recommendation supports the following children's outcomes: Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing; and Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families.