Commissioners Court Meeting

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Meeting Date:	03/27/2023
ICJR Grant Application Submission by the Webb Co. Sheriff's Office
Submitted for:	Martin Cuellar	Submitted By:	Anita Guerra
Department:	Sheriff

Subject:

Discussion and possible action to approve the submission of a grant application as developed, written, and submitted by the Webb County Sheriff's Office Grant Writer to the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) for a FY 2023 Improving Criminal Justice Responses to Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Grant Program in an amount estimated at $375,000.00 to enhance investigations in all matters relating to domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence through the continuing payment of the salary and fringe benefits of a grant-funded investigator and to sustain legal advocacy efforts by the Casa de Misericordia Domestic Violence Shelter; and designating the Webb County Judge as the authorized official in all matters related to this grant; and any other matters incident thereto. This grant does not require any type of match and, thus, will have no impact on 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 Account #2604]

Issue: Violence against women is among the most intractable and deadliest criminal justice problems in the United States, especially domestic violence and in the South Texas area. According to published statistics, the number of American women between 2001-2012 who were murdered by current or ex male partners in the United States was 11,766. That's almost double the amount of casualties lost during wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Women who will be victims of severe violence by an intimate partner in their lifetimes are 1 in 4. ("30 Shocking Domestic Violence Statistics That Remind Us It's An Epidemic" Vagianos 10/23/2014)

Solution: Casa Misericordia Domestic Violence Shelter and the Webb County Sheriff's Office seek to continue their coordinated, collaborative efforts to assist victims of domestic violence in the local Laredo/Webb County Community.

Result: Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking in the Laredo/Webb County area will continue to receive improved, enhanced services from the Casa Misericordia Domestic Violence Shelter and the Webb County Sheriff's Office to assist them with needed recovery, restitution, privacy, justice, and dignity.

Background:

The purpose of this grant application is to assist in developing and strengthening Casa Misericordia Domestic Violence shelter's and the Webb County Sheriff's Office's strategies to combat family violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking crimes against women and to develop and strengthen victim services in such cases.

Previous Court Action:

This grant application is authorized for submission on a periodic basis.

Fiscal Impact

Budget Account Number:	2604
Funding Source:	Grant Revenue
Balance:	Various
Financial Impact:
$375,000.00 estimated grant application Thus, there will be no impact to the general fund