The Victim/Witness Program provides constitutionally mandated direct services under Marsy's Law to victims and witnesses of crime, and establishes and maintains working relationships with law enforcement agencies and community based organizations. The Program Specialist would be assigned to a Family Justice Center. This funding allows the office to support its FJC partners at the level that was initially envisioned. The advocate will provide direct services to all victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, elder abuse and human trafficking, and support all agencies in the collaborative assistance of victims of crime and their families. As contemplated by the Victim/Witness Assistance Grant augmented funding, additional clerical support is needed to support the mission of the Program. The Program has grown from 5 advocates to 15 advocates in the past three years; numbers which do not include the staff in this request. A Senior Level Clerk will provide direct support to victims of crime with information and guidance pursuant to Marsy's Law, and also support the Program Manager, Lead Clerk and Program Specialists.  

The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services Criminal Justice/Emergency Management and Victim Services Branch has provided additional grant funding that will allow the District Attorney's office to increase staffing to better serve the Contra Costa Community. If this action is not approved, the Victim Witness Program Manager would not have the necessary clerical support in the Victim / Witness Program unit and no Program Specialist support assigned to the Family Justice Center and partners.