Title
Joint resolution authorizing renewal funding of the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center's victim advocate grant program awarded by the Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS) for state fiscal year SFY 2023, including state grant funding of $88,677 and federal ARPA funding of $44,355; for a program total of $133,032 in funding for the period of July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023.
Staff Summary
* The grant is administered through the DCFS for the performance period of July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023.
* DCFS funding to provide for a victim advocate began prior to 1998. DCFS is a multidisciplinary partner with the LCCAC and provides yearly funding to sustain this advocate. The advocate role is a National Children's Alliance (NCA) required role within the LCCAC and included in the guidelines set forth by the NCA for best practices which results in close to 60% of the LCCAC yearly funding.
* The victim advocates provide comprehensive, supportive services to child victims and their non-offending family members from the onset of the child's disclosure and throughout any court proceeding if the allegation results in criminal charges.
* Program goals include: working with families and children while forensic interviews take place, providing mental health referrals, working with the onsite mental health team to ensure trauma is addressed, providing emotional support, addressing families' immediate needs with on-site resources or community resources, conducting protocol reviews, and Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) case reviews.
* Program funding includes state funds in the amount of $88,677 for partial salary and benefits of two victim advocates, and federal funds in the amount of $44,355 to fund a portion of the salary and benefits for a forensic interviewer, contracted services for part-time receptionist/greeter, forensic interview room computer needs, and forensic interview data storage.
* Funds will allow for additional work hours for a current part-...
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