Title
Resolution to Accept and Appropriate 2017 V-STOP Grant Funding Awarded by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services to the Commonwealth's Attorney to Continue the Hampton Domestic Violence Community Unified Response Effort ("CURE")
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
The purpose of this resolution is to accept and appropriate federal grant funds and certain in-kind services to permit continuation of the Commonwealth's Attorney Violence Against Women's Act prosecution program.
Discussion:
In 1994, the United States Congress passed the Violence Against Women Act ("VAWA") as part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act. VAWA includes the Services, Training, Officers, Prosecution ("STOP") grant program. The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services administers the STOP Violence Against Women grant in Virginia, known as "V-STOP." V-STOP offers grant funds to successful applicants for activities which increase the apprehension, prosecution, and adjudication of persons committing violent crimes against women. In 2015, the Hampton Commonwealth's Attorney applied for multi-year grant funding to support the VAWA prosecution program which is part of the Hampton Domestic Violence Community Unified Response Effort ("CURE"). The grant runs on a three (3) year cycle (in this case 2016-2018), and must be reviewed each year. The first award was received for 2016 (See Hampton City Council File No. 15-0369; Resolution adopted December 9, 2015).
Continuation of the VAWA prosecution program will allow the Commonwealth's Attorney to retain an established position for a dedicated domestic violence prosecutor to prosecute all cases of domestic violence. The VAWA prosecution program provides a special victim advocate and comprehensive training for law enforcement officers. Additionally, through that program, the Domestic Violence Work Group ("DVWG") was established to review existing policies and procedures and to expand and coordinate domestic violence services. DVWG is comprised of the domestic violence prosecutor, a victim advocate, and a Hampton Police Division sergeant. In addition, the DVWG reports to and takes direction from the Hampton Family Violence Prevention Council, which is comprised of the chief officers of the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, Hampton Victim Witness Services, the Hampton Police Division, the Department of Social Services, the Court Service Unit, the Magistrate’s Office, and the Virginia Peninsula Council on Domestic Violence.
The City's in-kind match is primarily met through the use of the services of a legal secretary who supports the prosecutor; a small portion is also met through supplies.
Impact:
Federal funds in the amount of $64,801.00; Local In-Kind Match of $21,600.00
Recommendation:
Rec
Approve the Resolution.
Body
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth's Attorney applied for and has been awarded grant funds through the Virginia Services, Training, Officers, Prosecution ("V-STOP") program administered by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services in furtherance of the federal Violence Against Women Act;
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth's Attorney uses those grant funds in furtherance of the Hampton Domestic Violence Community Unified Response Effort ("CURE"); and
WHEREAS, the grant award for the period from January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017 includes $64,801.00 in federal funds and requires a $21,600.00 in-kind match from local resources.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia accepts and appropriates to the Commonwealth's Attorney $86,401.00, to include the grant of $64,801.00 in federal funds and matching in-kind services in the amount of $21,600.00, and any supplemental funding awarded by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services in accordance with the grant program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia authorizes the City Manager or her designee to take any and all necessary actions to implement this grant award.