SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve the Religious Community Services, Inc. (RCS) 2019 Agreement renewal for provision of contractual victim advocacy services in an amount not to exceed $15,000 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, which 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 ninth-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 187 domestic violence victims, 43 of whom were Hispanic, for the period January 1, 2018 through October 31, 2018. Additionally, there were 145 initial calls made to the victims of domestic violence and a total of 85 follow up calls. The victim advocate continues to assist at State Attorney Investigations, Depositions, Injunction paperwork and court hearings.
The Haven of RCS is a state-certified provider of domestic violence victim advocacy services, has several 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.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
All expenses will be funded with Florida Contraband Forfeiture Fund revenue and charged to Special Project No. 181-99356.