Agenda

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C. 29

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Kathy Gallagher, Employment & Human Services Director
Date:	September 21, 2021

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: 09/21/2021

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:

V. Kaplan, (925) 608-5052

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: September 21, 2021
Monica Nino, County Administrator

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Employment and Human Services Director, or designee, to apply for and if awarded accept grant funding from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Victim Services (XC) Branch, in an amount not to exceed $388,574 for the period January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022.

FISCAL IMPACT:

County to receive an amount not to exceed $388,574 from the California State Budget for Fiscal Year 2022 to fund the Elder Abuse Prevention Project for a one year period (January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022). The Project is supported through both the Victim Compensation Grant Fund (VCGF) and the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Assistance Formula Grant Programs. The VOCA Victim Assistance Formula Grant Program of $250,798 (19VOCA =$193,481; 20VOCA=$57,317) requires a cash and/or in-kind match of 20 percent. The Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) has submitted a Waiver for the Match. If the waiver is not approved, there would be a match of $62,699 with Adult Protective Services (APS) funds. (100% Federal) (CFDA #16.575) (20% Cash or In-kind match of total VOCA project cost)

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 5,000 annual Adult Protective Services (APS) reports of abuse, 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 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 and 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.

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

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 APS to continue the success of the EAPP.

Cons:

Sustainability of program funding beyond the end of grant term, December 31, 2022.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

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