Agenda Item # 9
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
02/09/2016
Agenda Report # 82
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: 2016 National Crime Victims' Rights Week Community
Awareness Projects Funding Opportunity
INITIATED BY: District Attorney/Victim-Witness Assistance Program
Recommendation: Approval is requested to authorize the District Attorney's
Victim-Witness Assistance Program to accept a grant for $5,000 from the
National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators, in cooperation with the
Office for Victims of Crime. At least 60 communities throughout the nation will
be awarded up to $5,000 each in reimbursement for approved NCVRW public
awareness activities through the NCVRW Community Awareness Project. If
approved, the local Victim-Witness Assistance Program will utilize the funds to
hold specific events aimed at reaching the public to raise awareness of
services for victims while also bringing attention to general information of
NCVRW. It is recommended that the Multi-Governmental Fund be amended by the
amount of the award, if approved.
Background: In July of 1989, the Office of the District Attorney began
operating a Crime Victim Assistance Program. Over the years, the program has
expanded to serve the 6 counties within the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit.
Successful grant allocations since that time have allowed the program to grow
to a current staff of 8 full-time victim advocates and 1 part-time victim
advocate.
Analysis: April 10-17, 2016 is designated as National Crime Victims? Rights
Week and the DA/Victim-Witness Assistance Program plans to raise awareness of
the Crime Victims? Bill of Rights as well as the services offered by their
office by holding events open to the public. It is recommended that the
Multi-Governmental Fund be amended by the amount of the award, if approved. The
funds will be used to purchase promotional items such as Frisbees, pens,
pencils, coasters, tablecloths, posters, brochures, bookmarks and palm cards;
all using the specified artwork recommended by the grant provider.
Financial Considerations: This is a reimbursement grant with specific
guidelines to follow. There is no cash match and no In-Kind Match.
Reimbursement packet is to be submitted after event for approval and payment.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: There will be no fiscal impact as a
result of awarding this grant.
Legal Considerations: Georgia Law requires the District Attorney provide
extensive services, information and notification to crime victims.
(O.C.G.A.-17-17-1) The District Attorney is solely and directly responsible for
complying with this law as mandated by the Victims? Bill of Rights. Any
opportunity to provide notification of our services to the public is a form of
compliance and serves as additional outreach.
Recommendations/ Actions: Authorize acceptance of a grant in the amount of
$5,000 from the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators, in
cooperation with the Office for Victims of Crime. The funding is in the form of
a one-time reimbursement grant to the DA Victim-Witness Assistance Program
which requires no cash match and which allows the office to promote the general
public?s awareness of the Crime Victims? Bill of Rights in conjunction with
NCVRW. It is recommended that the Multi-Governmental Fund be amended by the
amount of the award, if approved.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT, ON BEHALF OF THE DISTRICT
ATTORNEY, A GRANT OF $5,000 FROM THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF VOCA ASSISTANCE
ADMINISTRATORS, IN COOPERATION WITH THE OFFICE FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME, ALLOCATED
IN THE FY17 BUDGET, TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS? RIGHTS WEEK
EVENTS IN THE YEAR 2016, AND AMEND THE MULTI-GOVERNMENTAL FUND BY LIKE AMOUNT.
WHEREAS, the District Attorney is requesting the acceptance of a CAP Grant in
the amount of $5,000 to be reimbursed after event is concluded, in order to
raise awareness of the Crime Victims? Bill of Rights in conjunction with
National Crime Victims? Rights Week, allocated in the FY17 Budget; and,
WHEREAS, the CAP grant requires no cash match and no In-Kind Match; and,
WHEREAS, the funding will be used to raise awareness of the Crime Victims? Bill
of Rights in conjunction with NCVRW by educating the public on the services
offered to victims of crime throughout the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit; and,
WHEREAS, the District Attorney will continue to supervise the operation of the
Victim-Witness Assistance Program in the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
That the City Manager is hereby authorized to accept a grant of $5,000 from the
National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators, in cooperation with the
Office for Victims of Crime allocated in the FY17 Budget to fund the public
awareness events to be held during NCVRW 2016.
___________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held the
_________ day of _____________, 2016 and adopted at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of _____________ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Buck voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
_____________________________ _________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council , Mayor
Attachments
No attachments for this document.