Discussion and possible action to authorize the Webb County Sheriff’s Office to apply to the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) for a Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Justice for Families Program grant as coordinated, developed, written, and submitted by the Webb County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the 406th District Court and the Casa Misericordia Domestic Violence Shelter in the amount roughly estimated at $550,000 for full-time/part-time personnel, training/travel, leasing, utilities, contractual services, equipment/supplies, and other needs to support the Webb County Sheriff's Office Safe Haven Program, and designating the Webb County Judge as the authorized official in all matters pertaining to this grant; and any other matters incident thereto. However, this grant only funds the provision of supervised visitation and safe visitation exchange of children and youth by and between parents in situations involving domestic violence, dating violence, child sexual abuse, sexual assault, or stalking (i.e. not cases of contentious divorces and/or general familial discord/strife regarding custodial legal matters that do not involve these types of violence crimes against women and/or children). This grant does not require a match; and, thus, will have no impact to the general fund. All required documents were sent for review through the Economic Development Department and the solicitation is compliant with the Webb County Single Point of Contact (SPOC) procedures. [Requested by Martin Cuellar, Webb County Sheriff; Grant Fund #2607]
Issue: The announcement of the closing of Safe Haven's doors (currently averted) was recent and unforeseeable, leaving the Sheriff's Office and the rest of Webb County scrambling to find the necessary resources to support the program and the families who have come to rely on its services. Thus, there is extremely limited funding now available to supply the staff and other needs for the Safe Haven Program, which provides for secure and supervised visitations and safe exchanges of minor children in the Laredo/Webb County community. This is a crucial need in the local community for families who have experienced contentious custody disputes, allegations of child abuse/neglect, a documented history of family/domestic violence, and other allegations of physical confrontations and/or severe familial discord.
Solution: Apply for grant funds to help secure funding to help fund the needs of the program and its participants from the community.
Result: If grant funded, the Webb County/Laredo community’s needs for this type of service will be met. Serious familial violence can be diminished and/or prevented through this program. |