Commissioners Court Meeting

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Meeting Date:	01/23/2023
Renewal Grant Texas Trafficking Emergency Network Diversion 2024
Submitted for:	Rosa Cavazos	Submitted By:	Rosa Cavazos
Department:	County Judge

Subject:

Discussion and possible action to approve the submission of a grant application to the Office of the Governor Public Safety Office Criminal Justice Division for a County Innovations Grant estimated at Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) over the term of the contract; approving a resolution for authorization of grant submission to the Office of the Governor. The Laredo/Webb County, Texas Emergency Network Diversion (TEND) Court Program will utilize this funding opportunity to prevent, investigate, and/or prosecute the commercial sexual exploitation of foster youth in Laredo/Webb County. This formal request shall authorize the County Judge to act as the County Executive Officer and Authorized Representative in all matters pertaining to the County's participation in this grant. There is no match requirement for this grant. All grant 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. Contract Term: October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024. [Requested by Child Protection Court, Selina L. Mireles, Associate Judge]

Issue: 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 and 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 a grant opportunity to enhance awareness, intervention, and prevention of this serious issue.

Solution: Authorize the submission of the grant application as set forth above to ensure that the Laredo/Webb County, CPS, and Child Protection Court, may continue the Texas Emergency Network Diversion Court Program, a diversion program for potential and current victims of sexual exploitation.

Result: The Texas Emergency Network Diversion Program will be in compliance with SPOC, and with the submission rules and regulations set forth by the funding agency.

Background:

The TEND Court program aims to identify minors in CPS foster care, who may be current victims or at-risk victims of being sexually trafficked or exploited, and steer them away from that way of life. The program will collaboratively with community partners to provide various modes of therapy teaching positive coping skills. In addition, TEND Court has implemented sessions for the prevention, intervention, and redirection of commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). TEND is in partnership with the National Center for Exploited & Missing Children to educate the Laredo/Webb County on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC).

Previous Court Action:

Move forward with the direction/action of the Webb County Commissioners Court as approved on the first-year February 8, 2021, and the second year January 24, 2022, during the regular meeting.

Fiscal Impact

Budget Account Number:	2747
Funding Source:	OOG Grant
Balance:	N/A
Financial Impact:
There will be no impact to the general fund.

Attachments
23 24 Renewal TEND grant application
23 24 TEND Resolution
Item #9.a - TEND Resolution - Executed