Primary Department: Purchasing
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Kimberly J. Williams, JD
Secondary Department: Public Health Services
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: Leah Barton
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Supplemental RCA
Type of Request: Contract - Award
Project ID (if applicable): 250172
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): 1.33%
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal is not 0% and is listed above
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable):
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): Choose an item.
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by the Office of the Purchasing Agent for approval of an award on the basis of best proposal meeting requirements and that the County Judge execute an agreement with the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council for Domestic Violence Assistance Fund for Public Health Services for the period of March 19, 2026 - December 31, 2026 with two (2) one-year renewal options (250172), MWBE Contracted Goal: 1.33%.
end
Background and Discussion:
Reports of domestic violence increased locally during the COVID-19 pandemic, with women of color and other marginalized populations experiencing disproportionate impacts. Harris County continues to face a high turn-away rate for domestic violence shelter services, with more than 70% of callers unable to access emergency shelter beds due to limited capacity. Of approximately 1,100 households assessed annually for domestic violence housing services, only about 200 are successfully housed.
The Domestic Violence Assistance Fund (DVAF) provides vital, flexible financial support to survivors by awarding funds to qualified community-based organizations. Recognized as a “life-saving” resource by survivors and service providers, flexible funding enables individuals to meet immediate safety and basic needs necessary to leave abusive situations and stabilize. Eligible uses include housing, transportation, childcare, utilities, and other urgent expenses.
Awarding the DVAF RFP will ensure continuity of critical services for the remaining three-quarters of the term, with funding extending through December 31, 2026. Funds will be allocated on an approximate per-day rate basis for the remaining service period, including a settlement agreement not to exceed $225,000 for services rendered from January 1, 2026 through execution of the agreement.
Expected Impact:
This agreement will allow the Domestic Violence Assistance Fund to continue operating by providing flexible, direct financial assistance that increases access to services and supports the immediate safety needs of individuals fleeing domestic violence.
Alternative Options:
If Commissioners Court chooses not to approve this program HCDVCC will be unable to provide direct service employees with essential training for managing programs assisting survivors of domestic violence and their families.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 1. Make Harris County safer and more just.
County Strategic Plan Objective: A: Reduce violent crime across the County.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): A3: Increase resources available to families exposed to domestic violence.
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): Choose an item.
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): Choose an item.
Health Initiative (Goal 4): Choose an item.
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): Choose an item.
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): Choose an item.
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
|
08/26/2025 |
334 |
Project scheduled for advertisement and consent for Request for Proposal |
Location:
Address (if applicable): N/A
Precinct(s): Choose an item.
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Service Name |
Domestic Violence Assistance Fund |
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Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
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Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
Recurring Expenses |
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Funding Sources |
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Existing Budget |
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|
|
1000 - General Fund |
$ |
$1,500,000 |
$1,500,000 |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Existing Budget |
$ |
$1,500,000 |
$1,500,000 |
$ |
|
Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
|
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Funding Sources |
$ |
$1,500,000 |
$1,500,000 |
$ |
|
Grants - Proposed Budget (For Grants Items only) |
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Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
No. of Grant Years |
|
Local Match Source - Existing Budget: Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
|
Local Match Source - Additional Budget Request: Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
|
Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new Position Control Numbers (PCN)s) |
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Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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Additional Positions Request |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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Total Personnel |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
County Attorney’s Office Legal Review (for Harris County Code Items only) |
|
CAO Reviewer Name and Title |
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CAO Review Completion Date |
Click or tap to enter a date. |
Anticipated Court Date: 3/19/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Lupe M. Washington, Director of CHVPS, HCPH; Dr. Larry D.
Brown Jr, Associate Director, CHVPS Harris County Public Health; Jessica Barelas, Contract Manager, Purchasing
Attachments (if applicable): Letter, Agreement