Title
Joint resolution authorizing an amendment for a six-month extension for the State’s Attorney’s Office Multi-Victimization Program through a Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) grant awarded by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) to the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, including an emergency appropriation of $55,924 in federal funds.
Staff Summary
• This VOCA Multi-Victimization grant extension will enable continuation of this program addressing the needs of victims who have experienced multiple types of crime during their lifetime. According to the ICJIA 2016 Victim Needs Assessment, victims of violent crimes are especially vulnerable as nearly three-quarters (72%) have been the victim of more than one crime.
• The grant is administered through the ICJIA for the performance period of December 1, 2020 through May 31, 2022. Additional funding to support the program for up to an additional 18 months may be awarded after the initial funding period contingent upon satisfactory performance and availability of funds.
• Through this grant funding, trauma-informed counseling services will be offered to violent crime victims who self-report as having experienced multi-victimization, also known as poly-victims.
• The additional funding of $55,924 will be used to fund a portion of 43.5 percent of the salary and benefits for a licensed therapist and the salary and benefits for a part-time bi-lingual licensed therapist for the period of December 1, 2021 through May 31, 2022. No county funds are required.
• If funding for these positions end, and new funding is not secured, the positions will be eliminated.
Body
WHEREAS, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) announced a six-month extension and funding increase of $55,924 for the continuation of the State’s Attorney’s Multi-Victimization Program grant through a Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) grant which will provide counseling services by licensed therapists for victims who self-identify as poly-victims, during the period of December 1, 2021 through May 31, 2022; and
WHEREAS, the grant program will fund a portion of 43.5 percent of the salary and benefits for a licensed therapist and the salary and benefits for a part-time bi-lingual licensed therapist; and
WHEREAS, the grant extension must be formally accepted by Lake County and it is necessary to appropriate the grant extension funding; and
WHEREAS, the State’s Attorney’s Office recommends that the Chairman of the County Board, the State’s Attorney and the Treasurer be authorized to execute the necessary documents to accept and execute the grant extension; and
WHEREAS, if funding for these positions end, and new funding is not secured, the positions will be eliminated.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, the ICJIA VOCA Multi-Victimization grant extension for the period of December 1, 2021 through May 31, 2022, is hereby accepted and execution is hereby authorized; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, personnel expenses for the part-time therapists are already appropriated in the State’s Attorney’s Office approved FY22 budget in accounts 101-3321010-51110, 74080, 74100, 74110, with offsetting revenue in account 101-3321010-45334;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, $55,924 in extension funding be appropriated in accounts 101-3321010-51120, 74100, 74110, with offsetting revenue in accounts 101-3321010-45334;
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 the Lake County Treasurer are hereby authorized to execute the necessary documentation in order to accept the grant award.
DATED, at Waukegan, Lake County, Illinois, on December 14, 2021.