Department: Domestic Relations
Department Head/Elected Official: David W. Simpson
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Grant
Project ID (if applicable):
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable):
MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable):
MWDBE Current Participation (if applicable):
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by Domestic Relations for approval to temporarily transfer general funds in the amount of $30,000 for four positions pending receipt of the grant award for the Supervised Visitation Program, and extend the positions to September 30, 2025.
end
Background and Discussion:
The Domestic Relations Office has provided cooperative parenting services for 36 years and supervised
visitation services since April 2018. As a county legal agency, our vision includes ensuring that parents
provide both financial and emotional support. This project will ensure protected and secured access to
children for parents who have been ordered to visit with their children in a supervised group setting. In
suits affecting a parent child relationship, Harris County Family Judges regularly determine what type of
possession/access a parent should have with their child. Sometimes a court determines that it is not in a
child’s best interest for their parent to have unsupervised possession/access. Under such a finding, the
Court generally orders that all possession times be supervised in the presence of a third person
responsible for observing and ensuring the safety of the child. Issues that can impair a person’s ability to
have supervised possession, include domestic violence, substance abuse, mental health issues and other
difficulties that might impair a parent.
Expected Impact:
If the grant is not awarded, the temporary transfer will be used to pay any grant costs incurred. If the
grant is awarded the temporary transfer will be reversed and budget returned to the Department.
Project goals include: (1) keeping children safe when visiting with their noncustodial parent (2) helping
children and noncustodial parents develop mutually beneficial relationships with each other; (3) providing
services which reduce conflict that may occur at visitation; and (4) helping parents communicate more
effectively with each other to increase quality parenting time with children.
Alternative Options:
The potential impact of this temporary transfer would be only if the award is not received. Otherwise,
the transfer would be reversed when the award is received. There is a need for this service to meet the
emotional needs of children and ensure safe and positive contact with their parent. Absent extenuating
circumstances, there is an emotional benefit to Harris County children who maintain a relationship with
their parents and extended family. Should the Domestic Relations Office not provide this service, it is not
available through any other entity.
Alignment with Goal(s):
X_ Justice and Safety
_ Economic Opportunity
_ Housing
_ Public Health
_ Transportation
_ Flooding
_ Environment
_ Governance and Customer Service
Prior Court Action (if any):
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Location:
Address (if applicable):
Precinct(s): Choose an item.
|
Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
|
Service Name |
Family Victimization Services |
|
|
|
Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
|
|
Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
Recurring Expenses |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
Existing Budget |
|
|
|
|
|
1000 - General Fund |
$30,000 |
$ |
$30,000 |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Current Budget |
$30,000 |
$ |
$30,000 |
$ |
|
Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
|
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Funding Request |
$30,000 |
$ |
$30,000 |
$ |
|
Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
|
|
Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Additional Positions Request |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total Personnel |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Anticipated Court Date: October 29, 2024
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date):
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: David W. Simpson, Executive Director, Domestic Relations Office
Attachments (if applicable): RCA, Forms 3441 ( in PDR)