Commissioners Court Meeting

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Meeting Date:	11/27/2017
Safe Haven Budget and Funding
Submitted for:	Martin Cuellar	Submitted By:	Anita Guerra
Department:	Sheriff

Subject:

Discussion and possible action to create an appropriations account to accept donations and any necessary line items to fully fund the costs for the Safe Haven Facility, personnel, and services as a special budget, which is permitted under the Texas Local Government Code §§111. 0706, 111.0707, and 111.07075 and authorizing the Webb County Sheriff’s Office to use current available resources including personnel to administer the Safe Haven Program through the Webb County Sheriff’s Office Substation located at Mall Del Norte. Furthermore, the Webb County Sheriff will be authorized to seek additional funding from any available grants to fund the Safe Haven Program, with no impact to the General Fund; and any other matters incident thereto. [In joint efforts with Sheriff Martin Cuellar]

Issue: Safe Haven will be closing its doors this month and currently, there is no established facility 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 server familial discord.

Solution: The Webb County Sheriff’s office will use a facility already available and capable of providing the necessary services at the Mall Del Norte Sheriff Substation, which will reduce the likelihood of domestic violence and encourage the peaceful exchange and/or visitation of children coupled with the use of law enforcement presence.

Result: Provide a safe and necessary community program that creates a safe and amicable location to have child visitation and exchange for the families of Webb County.

Background:

The Safe Haven Program was originally started to help reduce the risk to children who are exposed the tense family discord. The children often see the parents engage in domestic disturbances and/or violence include aggressive verbal confrontations. The children’s physical, emotional, and development is impacted by witnessing these events. These events included symptoms of aggression, out crying, acting out or even developmental regression. A neutral third party was needed to prevent false allegations made by parents and even guardians during divorces, guardianships, and adoptions. The program has historically worked in Webb County and without the program the potential for increased violence, removal of children from homes, and a detrimental impact to each child who witnesses these events in their own home.

Previous Court Action:

Fiscal Impact

Budget Account Number:	To Be Determined
Funding Source:	To Be Determined
Balance:	To Be Determined
Financial Impact:
To be determined.