Department: Domestic Relations
Department Head/Elected Official: David W. Simpson
Regular or Supplemental RCA:
☒ Regular RCA
☐ Supplemental RCA
Type of Request: Grant
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Participation (if applicable): N/A
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by Domestic Relations for approval of a temporary budget transfer in the amount of $30,000 for the Supervised Visitation Program pending receipt of the award, and extend associated positions to September 30, 2022.
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):
☒ Justice and Safety
☐ Economic Opportunity
☐ Housing
☐ Public Health
☐ Transportation
☐ Flooding
☐ Environment
☐ Governance and Customer Service
Prior Court Action (if any):
Location:
Address (if applicable list below):
☒ Countywide
☐ Precinct 1
☐ Precinct 2
☐ Precinct 3
☐ Precinct 4
|
Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
|
Service Name |
-Supervised Visitation |
FY 21-22 |
Estimates |
|
|
|
|
FY 22 |
Next 3 FYs |
|
Incremental Expenditures |
|
Labor Expenditures |
30K |
- |
- |
|
Non-Labor Expenditures |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total Incremental Expenditures |
30K |
- |
- |
|
Funding Sources (General Fund, PIC Fund, Debt or CP, Grants, or Other - Please Specify) |
|
Existing Budget |
General Fund- |
30K |
- |
- |
|
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total Current Budget |
30K- |
- |
- |
|
Additional Budget Requested |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total Additional Budget Requested |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total Funding Sources |
30K |
K |
K |
|
Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
|
Current Position Count for Service |
3- |
- |
- |
|
Additional Positions Requested |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total Personnel |
3- |
- |
- |
Anticipated Implementation Date: 9/25/21
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note:
☒ Not an emergency, disaster recovery, or COVID-19 related item
☐ Emergency Item
☐ COVID-19 related Item
☐ Disaster Recovery related Item
Contact(s) name, title, department: David W. Simpson, Executive Director, Domestic Relations Office
Attachments (if applicable):
1. RCA
2. Forms 3441 (in PDF)