Title
Vote on request to approve grant applications for Families (JFF) and Governor’s Crime Commissioner (GCC) for Chatham County Family Visitation services and authorize County Manager to have final approval before submission
Abstract
Action Requested: Vote on request to approve grant applications for Families (JFF) and Governor’s Crime Commissioner (GCC) for Chatham County Family Visitation services and authorize County Manager to have final approval before submission
Introduction & Background: Chatham County Family Visitation Services has operated since 2003 through a combination of federal and state grants and contracts with court agencies and Social Services. The existing grant expires in October 2015 and county staff is requesting permission to apply for both grants so that the services can continue without the need for general fund support.
JFF is a three-year grant for up to $650,000. Staff is proposing to apply the grant to continue the visitation services program, which allows court- and DSS-involved parents to visit their children in a supervised setting. Both the courts and Social Services benefit from this program and it helps ensure public safety by providing services to domestic violence victims. The grant also requires that additional court training and improvements be included. Staff proposes to apply for up to $150,000 to provide training on domestic violence to court and DSS staff and to provide a half-time victims advocate for court. Staff proposes to continue with the current level of staffing (1.37 FTEs regular employees and 2-3 temporary staff). JFF requires no local match.
Discussion & Analysis:
How does this relate to the Comprehensive Plan: Foster a Healthy Community; Provide efficient effective government
Budgetary Impact: This will continue funding for an existing program and staff.
Recommendation: Approve grant applications for Justice for Families (JFF) and Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) for Chatham County Family Visitation Services.