Commissioners Court Meeting

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Meeting Date:	11/14/2022
Texas (Trafficking) Emergency Network Diversion (TEND) Court Program 2023
Submitted for:	Rosa Cavazos	Submitted By:	Rosa Cavazos
Department:	County Judge

Subject:

Discussion and possible action to accept a grant award from the Office of the Governor, Public Safety Office Criminal Justice Division for the Texas (Trafficking) Emergency Network Diversion (TEND) Court Program, Grant #4325002, in the amount of One Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($125,000.00). The TEND program will utilize this funding opportunity to prevent the commercial sexual exploitation for children in foster care in Laredo/Webb County. This formal request shall authorize the County Judge to act as the County’s Executive Officer and Authorized Representative in all matters pertaining to the County’s participation in this grant and sign all relevant documentation. There is no match requirement for Grant #4325002; therefore, it will not impact the general fund. This contract and agreement commences on October 1, 2022, and terminates on September 30, 2023. All required documents were reviewed by the Economic Development Department and the solicitation is compliant with the Webb County Single Point of Contact (SPOC) procedures. [Requested by the Honorable Judge Selina Mireles, for the TEND Court Program, Child Protection Court]

Issue: Webb County submitted the Texas (Trafficking) Emergency Network Diversion (TEND) Court Program grant application to the Office of the Governor, Public Safety Office Criminal Justice Division. There is a need for resources to address the issue of sexual exploitation in our community. Persons who have suffered abuse in childhood or adolescence are susceptible to being sexually trafficked or exploited. There is a need to train the community, caregivers, law enforcement, those involved in the criminal justice system on how to identify potential and current victims and stop the cycle of exploitation. The Office of the Governor of Texas has provided available resources through this grant opportunity to enhance awareness, intervention, and prevention of this serious issue.

Solution: Accept award and enter into an agreement to set forth the aforementioned, and ensure that Laredo/Webb County, CPS, and the Child Protection Court, continues the TEND diversion program for potential and current youth victims of sexual exploitation for a second year.

Result: Webb County through the Texas (Trafficking) Emergency Network Diversion (TEND) Court Program was implemented project/program on October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022.

Background:

Background:
The program aims to identify minors (age group 10-17) who are in CPS conservatorship and placed in foster care. They may the propensity or are current victims of being sexually trafficked or exploited and TENDs mission is to steer them away from that way of life. The program will provide various modes of therapy and education as a means of intervention and redirection.

Previous Court Action:

Previous Court Action: Moved forward with the direction/action of Commissioners Court as approved during the February 8, 2021, regular meeting.

Fiscal Impact

Budget Account Number:	4325002
Funding Source:	4325002
Balance:	N/A
Financial Impact:
N/A