Agenda - 05-05-2009 - 7a - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 5, 2009 Action Agenda Item No. -] - Q SUBJECT: Domestic Violence: A Background Report on Question of Need for a Shelter in Orange County DEPARTMENT: County Manager's Office PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): 1) 6/24/08 Minutes Excerpt 2) Background Report INFORMATION CONTACT: Gwen Harvey, Assistant County Manager, 245-2307 Shoshannah Sayers, Director, Office of Human Rights and Relations, 960-3877 PURPOSE: To provide a background report to the BOCC on the incidence and alternatives to persons experiencing domestic violence in Orange County along with a proposal for helping to facilitate a community response. BACKGROUND: At its meeting on June 24, 2008 a delegation from the Commission for Women and the Family Violence Prevention Center (FVPC) of Orange County approached the BOCC on the need for a shelter facility to be located within Orange County to serve persons (men, women, and their children) dealing with domestic violence. The BOCC asked that staff return in the fall with background information and possible options for further intervention and involvement on behalf of the County organization. The Board also asked that the Human Services Advisory Commission be engaged since domestic violence had been its topic for its fall 2007 Forum. Circumstances and time constraints - as the BOCC dealt with other difficult topics - did not allow this topic to be addressed in a work session setting. County staff has now prepared a background report assessing historical experience in Orange County and is prepared to present these findings along with a proposal for BOCC consideration. Owning or operating a domestic violence shelter is not a core function of county governments. Typically domestic violence shelters are administered by strong non-profit organizations positioned to provide not only secure physical space but the necessary surrounding support services. Both space and service require substantial funds to acquire, develop, and sustain. Neither the FVPC, with a new Executive Director, or the Inter-Faith Council (IFC), involved in its own corporate campaign to relocate the men's shelter and community kitchen, has the capacity or resources present to assume direct responsibility for establishing a new facility for domestic violence victims. However, there is a sense that increased collaboration can occur, further research accomplished, and plans drafted for the future years.