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Meeting Date:	09/14/2020
FY 2020 OVW-ICJR Grant Award Acceptance by the Webb Co. Sheriff's Office; Grant Fund # 2604
Submitted for:	Martin Cuellar	Submitted By:	Anita Guerra
Department:	Sheriff

Subject:

Discussion and possible action to approve the acceptance of a grant award from the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) as developed, written, coordinated, submitted by and for the Webb County Sheriff’s Office for a FY 2020 Improving Criminal Justice Responses to Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Grant Program in the amount of $400,000.00 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 to the Economic Development Department and were found in compliance with the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) policy. [Requested by Martin Cuellar, Webb County Sheriff; Grant Fund # 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 project 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:

The Webb County Sheriff's Office was given authorization by the Webb County Commissioner's Court to apply for the grant on December 9, 2019.

Fiscal Impact

Budget Account Number:	2604
Funding Source:	Grant Revenue
Balance:	$400,000
Financial Impact:
$400,000.00 in grant funds for the Webb County Sheriff's Office. Therefore, there will be no impact to the general fund.