Title
Resolution approving the City of Hampton, Virginia's Participation In and Appropriation of the 2016 Hampton Domestic Violence Community Unified Response Effort (CURE) V-STOP Grant funding program through the Hampton Commonwealth's Attorney's Office from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
The Hampton Domestic Violence Community Unified Response Effort (CURE) program continues to strengthen the criminal justice response to domestic violence in the City of Hampton through a coordinated and integrated approach involving a partnership among prosecution, law enforcement and victim service providers.
Discussion:
Continuation of the CURE program will keep an established position for a dedicated domestic violence prosecutor to prosecute all cases of domestic violence. The CURE program provides a special victim advocate and comprehensive training for law enforcement officers. Additionally, the CURE program established the Domestic Violence Work Group (DVWG), comprised of the domestic violence prosecutor, the victim advocate, and a sergeant in the Hampton Police Division to review existing policies and procedures and expand and coordinate domestic violence services. The DVWG reports to and takes direction from the Hampton Family Violence Prevention Council, comprised of the chief officers of the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office, Hampton Victim Witness Services, the Police Division, the Department of Social Services, the Court Service Unit, the Magistrate's Office, and the Virginia Peninsula Council on Domestic Violence.
Funding in the amount of $64,801 in federal funds has been approved by the Department of Criminal Justice Services for the period of January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2016. At least a twenty-five percent (25%) local match is required, in cash or in-kind, amounting to $21,600 for a total grant award of $86,401. The entire local match for this grant period is in-kind.
Impact:
The Hampton Commonwealth’s Attorney Office (CA) is a founding member of the Hampton Family Violence Prevention Council (HFVPC) along with Transitions Family Violence Services, Hampton Police Division, Hampton Court Services Unit, Hampton Magistrate's Office and Hampton Social Services. The CA’s office has two active members: the V-STOP Prosecutor, Shukita Massey and Director of Victim-Witness Services, Karla Reaves.
The V-STOP Prosecutor serves on the Victim Services Subcommittee of the Hampton Family Violence Prevention Council as an agency representative providing guidance from the prosecutorial perspective.
HFVPC meets bi-monthly, however, the three standing committees: Victim Services, Community Resources, and Public Awareness meet during the alternate months. This allows the subcommittees to work on their tasks and report out at the full Council meetings.
HFVPC provides consistent leadership in victim case management and safety planning; review and revision of law enforcement and prosecution protocols and availability of resources. The Council has collaborated with the Newport News Domestic Violence Task Force about the possibility of implementing a Peninsula Family Justice Center. Transitions staff has received training on creating a Family Justice Center; and, along with the V-STOP Prosecutor, will continue to explore and develop a proposal for review in spring 2016.
Recommendation:
Rec
Approve on first and final reading.
Body
WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services has awarded the Hampton Domestic Violence CURE grant to the City of Hampton in the amount of $64,801 in federal funds and $21,600 in an In-Kind match for a total award of $86,401.
WHEREAS, the grant period is January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2016.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hampton accept and appropriate the grant award for the Hampton Domestic Violence Community Unified Response Effort (CURE) V-STOP in the amount of $86,401, and any supplemental funding, awarded by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services in accordance with the grant agreement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council authorizes the City Manager, or her designee, to take the necessary steps to implement this grant award.