Public Hearing: YES ☐ NO ☒ Department: Magistrate Court
SUBJECT:
Title
Commission District(s): All
Request to accept grant award from the United States Department of Justice - Office on Violence Against Women under FY 2020 Justice for Families Program for the benefit of the DeKalb County Magistrate Court in the sum of $649,984.
Body
Information Contact: Darren George, Judicial Assistant to Chief Judge Berryl A. Anderson
Phone Number: 404-371-4767
PURPOSE:
To accept grant award in the amount of $649,984 awarded by the United States Department of Justice - Office on Violence Against Women for the benefit of the DeKalb County Magistrate Court
NEED/IMPACT:
The grant funds will be used to improve the response of the court to families with a history of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking or in cases involving allegations of child sexual abuse. The DeKalb County Magistrate Court and its collaborative partners, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, and victim service agencies Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence (WRC) and Tapestri, will use this supplemental comprehensive award to: 1) continue to provide supervised visitation and safe exchange services; 2) hire a legal advocate to provide in-court assistance in the dedicated domestic violence docket; 3) convene dedicated court calendars with specialized safety protocols for hearing temporary protection orders and probable cause for domestic violence-related warrants; and 4) provide victim advocacy during the temporary protective order application and hearing process. A budget category breakdown is attached.
FISCAL IMPACT:
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
To accept the grant funds in the amount of $649,984 from the United States Department of Justice - Office on Violence Against Women for the benefit of the DeKalb County Magistrate Court.