Public Hearing: YES ☐ NO ☒ Department: Human Services
SUBJECT:
Title
Commission District(s): All
Domestic Violence Intervention and Advocacy Services contract between DeKalb County Georgia and Women Moving On, Inc. (d.b.a. Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence)- Transfer funds from the Victim Assistance Fund to the Grant Fund for a State-Certified Victim Assistance Agency- Cost to the County $150,000
Body
Information Contact: Damon Scott, Director, Human Services Department
Phone Number: (404) 687-2385
PURPOSE:
To consider approving a contract between DeKalb County and the non-profit, Women Moving On, Inc. (d.b.a. Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence) to support the domestic violence intervention and advocacy services for women and their children living in DeKalb. The contract for these services would be in effect from September 1, 2018 to August 31, 2019 at a cost of $150,000 to the County.
NEED/IMPACT:
In the County’s 2018 Adopted Budget, $339,821 was approved for state-certified victim assistance to non-profit agencies and $150,000 of this amount has been designated for a contract with Women Moving On, Inc. The transfer of funds from the Victim Assistance Fund to the Human Services Grant Fund will assist with the continuation of domestic violence intervention services.
For over thirty years, Women Moving On, Inc. has worked to meet the immediate and long-term needs of women and their children who experience domestic violence. This organization has a variety of programs that promote safety, advocacy and prevention. Research has shown that survivors of domestic violence improve their safety and their wellbeing when they find a safe place to stay, receive support with navigating the legal system, and hold batterers accountable for their actions. Women Moving on operates a Safe House program, a 24 Hour telephone hotline that provides crisis counseling, assists with supervised visitation and provides legal assistance.
During the 2017-2018 contract year, Women Moving On, Inc. provided safe shelter to 100 women and children through the Safe House program. In addition, more than 723 calls were answered through the 24 Hour crisis hotline and 50 children victims of domestic violence attended Camp Peace where they received information to help them process their emotions through participation in therapeutic activities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact, as this action only transfers already appropriated funds. The transfer, once approved, will move funds from the Victim Assistance Fund-Account String 03101-611250-206 to the Grant Fund in Cost Center 67510 Human Services-Fund 250.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
Approve the contract between DeKalb County and Women Moving On, Inc. for the provision of domestic violence intervention programming and advocacy services from September 1, 2018 to August 31, 2019 in an amount not to exceed $150,000. Authorize the Chief Executive Officer to execute all necessary documents.