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DATE: |
September 9, 2025 |
01 |
SUBJECT
Title
DISTRICT ATTORNEY – REQUEST TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT GRANT FUNDS AND APPROVAL OF A SINGLE SOURCE PROCUREMENT FOR THE ENHANCED TRAINING AND SERVICES TO END ABUSE IN LATER LIFE PROGRAM (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
The U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ), Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) has made funding available for federal fiscal year 2025 for the Enhanced Training and Services to End Abuse in Later Life (Later Life) Program. The Later Life Program supports comprehensive approaches to addressing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, neglect, abandonment, economic abuse, and willful harm for victims who are 50 years of age and older.
The County of San Diego (County) District Attorney’s Office is the largest local provider of victim services, assisting approximately 17,000 victims of crime each year. Eligible program services under this grant align with the trauma-informed services available at the District Attorney’s Family Justice Centers. Such services include direct victim services and outreach, multidisciplinary teams, community engagement and collaboration, and cross-training between program partners and community professionals.
If approved, today’s action would authorize the District Attorney to apply for and accept an estimated $300,000 annually of USDOJ Later Life Program funding for the project period of October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028. This is also a request to authorize the District Attorney, and/or her designees, to apply for and accept USDOJ funding for this program and affiliated elder abuse grants in subsequent years, provided there are no material changes to the grant terms or funding levels.
In addition, authority is requested for the Director of Purchasing and Contracting to enter into a contract with a required victim services provider partner, Women’s Resource Center (WRC), to provide services for three years beginning October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028, and an additional five years if needed. The granting agency requires applicants to partner with a victim services provider that specializes in both domestic violence and sexual assault. WRC meets this requirement and is the current partner of the Later Life Program. This contract satisfies Board Policy A-87, Section 1.D.6, Continuity. WRC has critical knowledge and experience with the program. Additionally, extending the partnership contract with WRC will help sustain the progress of grant-funded initiatives and ensure uninterrupted delivery of critical services to older adult victims of abuse.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
1. Authorize the District Attorney to apply for and accept an estimated $300,000 annually from the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ), Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) for the Fiscal Year 2025 Enhanced Training and Services to End Abuse in Later Life Program for the project period of October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028; and authorize the District Attorney, and/or her designees, to apply for and accept USDOJ funding for this program and affiliated elder abuse grants, in subsequent years, provided there are no material changes to the grant terms or funding levels.
2. Adopt a resolution entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO RELATING TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 ENHANCED TRAINING AND SERVICES TO END ABUSE IN LATER LIFE GRANT PROGRAM.
3. Authorize the District Attorney, and/or her designees, to review and execute all required grant and grant-related documents, including applications and agreements requiring an authorized representative from the County of San Diego, and any annual extensions, amendments and/or revisions that do not materially impact or alter the services or funding levels.
4. In accordance with Board Policy A-87, Competitive Procurement, approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Purchasing and Contracting to enter into negotiations with, Women’s Resource Center, and subject to successful negotiations and a determination of a fair and reasonable price, award a contract(s) for the delivery of crime victim supportive services, for three (3) years beginning October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2028 and an additional five years if needed, and to amend the contracts as needed to reflect changes to service needs or funding requirements subject to the approval of the District Attorney.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The District Attorney’s Office seeks to ensure equitable access to information and services for all San Diego communities, including elder victims impacted by crime. To advance fairness and equity, the proposed action will ensure continuity of local victim services for the older adult population and promote responsive strategies to address the cultural, economic, and access barriers for older adults. As part of the District Attorney’s ongoing dedication to public safety, the actions in this Board Letter would facilitate continued collaboration to enhance current processes and services for older adult victims and reach equitable outcomes throughout San Diego’s communities.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The proposed action contributes to the County of San Diego’s Sustainability Goals of meaningful community engagement and just and equitable access to services and resources. The Later Life Program framework includes diverse stakeholders and partnerships; subsequently, strengthening community participation that allows for cohesive and sustainable responses to older adult victims’ immediate needs. Locally leveraging the grant program will support the operation of the District Attorney’s elder adult programs to reach and support victims across their lifespan and facilitate collaborative learning and training across San Diego communities.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this request are partially included in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Operational Plan for the District Attorney’s Office. If approved and awarded, this request will result in estimated annual costs and revenues of $300,000 in Fiscal Year 2025-26 and Fiscal Year 2026-27. Subsequent year program costs and revenues, estimated at $300,000 annually, will be included in future Operational Plans for the District Attorney’s Office. The funding source is the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A.
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
N/A.
BACKGROUND
The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Enhanced Training and Services to End Abuse in Later Life (Later Life) Program is authorized by 34 U.S.C. §§ 12421 and was established to address elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking against victims who are 50 years of age or older through training and services. OVW administers the program and gives special consideration to projects that propose increased access to services for under-resourced communities.
On December 11, 2018 (20), the Board of Supervisors (Board) authorized the lease and/or purchase of a site for the District Attorney’s North County Family Justice Center (NCFJC). A second Family Justice Center (FJC) is scheduled to begin offering services in the southern region of San Diego County in fall 2025. The District Attorney intends to provide support to victims in the form of regionalized FJCs designed and founded on victim-centered best practices – where criminal justice and victim service providers are co-located to enhance communication and provide services that are culturally appropriate, physically accessible and driven by the needs of those who are impacted by crime and violence.
On March 16, 2021 (5), the Board authorized the District Attorney to apply for and accept grant funds for the OVW Fiscal Year 2021 Later Life Program. Grant funding has supported: the establishment of a Coordinated Community Response Team (CCR); training for law enforcement officers and direct service providers on older adult abuse; extensive collaboration across agencies including county and city departments, tribal, and non-governmental groups; outreach efforts for historically excluded and under-resourced communities; and increased services and access for older adult survivors in San Diego County. Today’s request will allow for the continuation of these vital services.
Today’s action includes a request to authorize the Director of Purchasing and Contracting to enter a contract with a required victim services provider partner, Women’s Resource Center (WRC). The Department of Justice requires that grant applications include an executed Memorandum of Understanding which identifies community partners directly involved in program implementation. USDOJ requires four MOU partners for the grant application: a law enforcement agency (Sheriff’s Office), prosecutor’s office (District Attorney), a victim service provider with a specialty in both Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (WRC), and a nonprofit program or government agency with demonstrated experience in assisting individuals 50 years of age or older (Aging & Independence Services).
This procurement meets Board Policy A-87, Section 1.D.6, Continuity. WRC qualifies as a single source victim service provider for the OVW Enhanced Training and Services to End Abuse in Later Life (Later Life) Program. WRC has critical knowledge and experience working with the OVW programs’ goals, strategic plan, and project implementation. WRC is the current victim service provider of the OVW Later Life program and has already onboarded and trained staff to deliver direct services to older victims. To avoid disruptions associated with a lengthy procurement process, onboarding a new service provider, and training new staff, it is most efficient and fiscally responsible to continue the existing contract with WRC for the OVW Later Life program.
The Later Life Program proposal comprises the continuation of supportive services including safety planning, resource navigation and warm connection to services, court accompaniment when needed, and coordination of wrap-around services at FJCs and/or other community resources. Additionally, training at the FJCs on the identification, response protocols, intervention strategies and available resources for older adults experiencing the outlined forms of victimization will be continued with the grant award. Attendees represent healthcare professionals, community organizations, first responders, direct service staff, faith leadership and other key professionals, and include national and local expert presenters.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed actions support the Equity and Justice Strategic Initiatives of the County of San Diego’s 2025 - 2030 Strategic Plan by providing vital public safety resources and services for San Diego County residents.
Respectfully submitted,
summer stephan
District Attorney
ATTACHMENT(S)
ATTACHMENT A: A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO RELATING TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 ENHANCED TRAINING AND SERVICES TO END ABUSE IN LATER LIFE GRANT PROGRAM