Agenda Item # 12
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
07/26/2016
Agenda Report # 20
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: 2016-17 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Competitive Grant # 5
INITIATED BY: District Attorney/Victim-Witness Assistance Program
Recommendation: Approval is requested to authorize the District Attorney?s
Victim-Witness Assistance Program to submit and if approved, accept a grant for
$25,000 from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council allocated in the FY17
Budget to provide funding for Crime Victim Assistance in the Chattahoochee
Judicial Circuit from October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017. Along with a 20%
Total Match of $6,250 all in the form of an In-Kind Match of volunteer hours,
it is requested that the multi-governmental fund be amended by the amount
awarded plus the local match.
Background: In July of 1989, the Office of the District Attorney began
operating a Crime Victim Assistance Program. In October of 1992, the
Victim-Witness Assistance Program was awarded the first Crime Victim Assistance
Grant, thereby broadening the program for the provision of basic services. In
July of 1995, additional funds were received from the 5% Crime Victim Surcharge
Fund, thus allowing the program to expand services to all 6 counties within the
Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit. Successful grant allocations since that time
have sustained the program. Although still understaffed, the office currently
employs a Director of Victim Services and 7.5 Victim Advocates.
Analysis: If approved for FY17, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Georgia will
allocate $25,000 to Muscogee County Government to support the Victim-Witness
Assistance Program for the grant year October 1, 2016 through September 30,
2017. The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council requires a total match of
$6,250 and it can all come in the form of volunteer hours specified as In-Kind
contributions.
The total amount of $31,250 represents the professional fee for one licensed
and bonded counseling contractor who will oversee an on-site mental health
program for our crime victims who are otherwise unable to obtain services.
Grant Funded Professional Contracted Position: Agreement Fee - $25,000
Financial Considerations: Contractor will be licensed with all current
licensing and valid medical insurance to oversee an in-house mental health
program offering counseling to our crime victims. Total award is $31,250 with
the Federal allocation of $25,000 and $6,250 from the required In-Kind Match in
the form of volunteer hours.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: There will be no annual fiscal impact
as a result of 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. Legislature
acknowledges that this mandate places additional burdens on prosecutors and
have designed laws enabling utilization of the 5% Crime Victim Surcharge Fund
to assist in easing said burdens.
Recommendations/Actions: Authorize submission and, if approved, acceptance of a
grant in the amount of $25,000 from the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating
Council, in order to provide counseling services to those crime victims who
have been previously underserved. This action will provide the funding for a
contracted licensed professional to provide on-site counseling to crime victims
for at least the next three years in the form of an annual continuation grant.
A RESOLUTION
NO._____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION, ON BEHALF
OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND, IF APPROVED, TO ACCEPT A VOCA GRANT OF $25,000
FROM THE GEORGIA CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING COUNCIL ALLOCATED IN THE FY17
BUDGET, TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR CRIME VICTIM ASSISTANCE IN THE CHATTAHOOCHEE
JUDICIAL CIRCUIT FROM OCTOBER 1, 2016 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, AND, ALONG
WITH THE $6,250 IN-KIND MATCH, AMEND THE MULTI-GOVERNMENTAL FUND BY LIKE AMOUNT.
WHEREAS, the District Attorney is requesting the acceptance of a VOCA Grant in
the amount of $25,000 to be allocated over a twelve-month period from the
Criminal Justice Coordinating Council of Georgia to support innocent victims of
violent crime under the 1996 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) allocated in the FY17
Budget for a contracted position; and,
WHEREAS, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council requires a minimum 20% of
the grant come in the form of a match and the total amount can be met through
the use of volunteers. Figures are based on a twelve-month period; and,
WHEREAS, the funding will be used to enhance services as our office provides
services to crime victims from the moment of victimization;
WHEREAS, The District Attorney will continue to supervise the operation of the
Victim-Witness Assistance Program in the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit from
October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
That the City Manager is hereby authorized to submit and if approved,
accept a grant of $25,000 from the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating
Council allocated in the FY17 Budget to fund the Victim-Witness Assistance
Program which will extend over a twelve-month period beginning October 1, 2016
through September 30, 2017.
_____________
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 Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Garrett voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor Thomas voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
_______________________________ __________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor
Attachments
No attachments for this document.