Department: Institute of Forensic Sciences
Department Head/Elected Official: Luis A. Sanchez, M.D., Executive Director & Chief Medical Examiner
Regular or Supplemental RCA:
☒ Regular RCA
☐ Supplemental RCA
Type of Request: Grant
Project ID (if applicable): 100001000001119 (CJD 2460108)
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Participation (if applicable): N/A
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by the Institute of Forensic Sciences for approval to accept an amendment to an agreement with the Office of the Governor/Criminal Justice Division to delete the in-kind match of $28,450 and to add a discretionary cash match of $49,915 for the FY 2021-22 Victim Assistance Specialist Program.
end
Background and Discussion:
The purpose of the Victim Assistance Program is to provide decedent families with a dedicated liaison at the Medical Examiner’s Office. Liaison services include providing guidance and assistance to decedent families who are navigating the Medical Examiner’s Office processes and potentially the criminal justice system, as well as gathering much-needed information from families about decedents to assist with determination of cause and manner of death.
Expected Impact:
The Victim Assistance Specialists will provide services to be performed with an emphasis on a multidisciplinary and multicultural approach to delivery. The Specialists will assist surviving family members of individuals that die sudden, often unexpected and/or violent deaths by providing crisis intervention, community and social service referrals, and emotional support. Additionally, this program has developed strong partnerships with law enforcement agencies and crime victim resource agencies to provide comprehensive crime victim services.
Alternative Options:
There are no alternative options available.
Alignment with Goal(s):
☒ Justice and Safety
☐ Economic Opportunity
☐ Housing
☐ Public Health
☐ Transportation
☐ Flooding
☐ Environment
☒ Governance and Customer Service
Prior Court Action (if any):
February 9, 2021, Grant Item 170, Application
September 28, 2021, Grant Item 170, Temporary Transfer
October 26, 2021, Grant Item 196, Acceptance
Location:
Address (if applicable list below):
☒ Countywide
☐ Precinct 1
☐ Precinct 2
☐ Precinct 3
☐ Precinct 4
|
Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
|
Service Name |
Victim Assistance |
FY 21-22 |
Estimates |
|
|
|
|
FY 22 |
Next 3 FYs |
|
Incremental Expenditures |
|
Labor Expenditures |
|
- |
- |
|
Non-Labor Expenditures |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total Incremental Expenditures |
|
- |
- |
|
Funding Sources (General Fund, PIC Fund, Debt or CP, Grants, or Other - Please Specify) |
|
Existing Budget |
Texas Office of the Governor Criminal justice Division-VAS Grant |
$113.799K |
- |
- |
|
|
General Fund |
$49.914K |
- |
- |
|
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total Current Budget |
$163.714K |
- |
- |
|
Additional Budget Requested |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total Additional Budget Requested |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$163.714K |
- |
- |
|
Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
|
Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
|
Additional Positions Requested |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total Personnel |
- |
- |
- |
Anticipated Implementation Date: October 1, 2021
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:
Robin Alewine, Grant Analyst, Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences
Attachments (if applicable):
Court Order
Resolution
Adjustment Approval