Title
Joint resolution authorizing the renewal of the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center’s Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) victim advocate grant program, awarded by the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois (CACI) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022, including grant funding of $195,725.
Staff Summary
• In 1999, the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center (LCCAC) implemented two victim advocate grants, which have been renewed each year since, to supplement funding for two victim advocates, one being bilingual. In 2016, both grant programs were combined into one contract, and in 2017, funding for an additional juvenile victim advocate position was added.
• This grant is for the period of October 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022, and funds a portion of the salary and benefits for three LCCAC victim advocates.
• The victim advocates provide crisis assessment and intervention, risk assessment, and safety planning and support for children and family members during all stages of LCCAC involvement.
• Program goals include being present during the forensic interview in order to participate in information sharing, inform and support the family about Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) process and assess the needs of the non-offending caregiver, engagement in child and family response regarding participation in the investigation and prosecution, participate in case review, coordinate case management meetings, and provide information to family on case status and referrals to in house mental health support.
• Sources of funding include federal funds in the amount of $195,725 for partial salary and benefits for the LCCAC victim advocates assigned to the grant program. The LCCAC provides any additional salary, fringe benefits or program costs by reimbursing the State’s Attorney’s Office through fundraising efforts. No County funding is required for this program.
Body
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois (CACI) has announced a 9-month continuation of a Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant for the Children’s Advocacy Center program to provide advocacy services to child victims of crimes during the period October 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022; and
WHEREAS, the grant funds of $195,725 will provide partial salary and benefits for the three victim advocates (including a bilingual advocate) assigned to the grant program and any additional program costs will be reimbursed by the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center; and
WHEREAS, funds have already been appropriated in the FY 2021 budget for this program; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the renewal as described herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, that the Program Agreement with the CACI for the State’s Attorney’s Children’s Advocacy Center program to provide advocacy services to child victims of crime, for the period of October 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022, is hereby accepted; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the grant program expenses are already appropriated in the State’s Attorney’s approved FY 2021 budget in accounts 101-3302010-51110, 51240, 74080, 74100, 74110, 61040, 79950, with offsetting revenue in the amount of $195,725 budgeted in account 101-3302010-45334 and the Children’s Advocacy Center reimbursement will be deposited into account 101-3302010-45020; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the State’s Attorney shall serve as project director for the program, and accurate records of all necessary grant compliance requirements shall be kept by the State’s Attorney Office; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Chairman of the Board, the Lake County State’s Attorney, and Lake County Treasurer are hereby authorized to execute the necessary documentation to accept the grant renewal.
DATED at Waukegan, Lake County, Illinois, on October 12, 2021.