SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve renewal of the agreement with Religious Community Services, Inc. (RCS) for provision of contractual victim advocacy services in an amount not to exceed $15,000 for the period January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017 and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
Body
SUMMARY:
The Clearwater Police Department (CPD) seeks City Council approval to renew a contractual agreement with RCS, a registered non-profit organization with four distinct yet interwoven programs that includes The Haven of RCS, to provide a part-time bilingual victim advocate position from The Haven to be physically located at CPD headquarters. The victim advocate will work 20 hours per week and perform the duties associated with the implementation of a domestic violence victim advocacy program with an emphasis on Spanish-speaking, Hispanic victims for a one-year period.
This is a seventh year request for the services of a part-time bilingual victim advocate, which has proven to be a very successful program. The victim advocate provided safety plans for 360 domestic violence victims, 84 of whom were Hispanic, for the period January 1, 2016 through October 31, 2016. Additionally, there were 467 initial calls made to the victims of domestic violence and a total of 227 follow up calls. The victim advocate also assisted the victims at court hearings and State Attorney Investigations.
The Haven of RCS is a state-certified provider of domestic violence victim advocacy services, has a number of Spanish-speaking victim advocates on staff, and has a long history of partnering with CPD and its victim advocate on domestic violence issues. Pursuant to the contractual agreement, The Haven of RCS will provide comprehensive domestic violence services on-site at CPD for an approximate total of 400 victims, with an emphasis on Spanish-speaking Hispanics but to include all domestic violence victims.
A contractual agreement between the City of Clearwater and RCS has been prepared and is submitted for Council approval.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
All expenses will be funded with Special Law Enforcement Trust Fund revenue and charged to Special Project No. 181-99356.