HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-13-17 CC Mtg - C3. Violence Against Women GrantCommission Memorandum
REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Rich McLane, Deputy Chief of Police
SUBJECT: Request to authorize Chris Kukulski submit Grant application from the
Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) for $519,339 to address
issues of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault and dating violence.
MEETING DATE: February 13, 2017
AGENDA ITEM TYPE: Consent
RECOMMENDATION: Authorize Chris Kukulski to sign and submit for Grant application
under CFDA# 16.589, OVW Fiscal Year 2017 Office of Violence Against Women (OVW)
solicitation for $519,339 for a three year grant addressing issues of domestic violence, stalking,
sexual assault and dating violence.
BACKGROUND: For over 20 years, the City of Bozeman has partnered with other government
and non-government organizations in a collaborative approach to providing assistance to victims
of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence. As part of this approach, a team
was formed called the Gallatin Project. This team has worked closely with OVW to secure funding
and to work together to identify and close gaps in services regarding these victims.
The Gallatin Project includes representatives from all Gallatin County law enforcement, the Sexual
Assault Counseling Center (SACC), HAVEN, Gallatin County Court Appointed Special
Advocates-Guardians Ad-Litem (GAL), Gallatin County victim services advocates, prosecutors
for both Gallatin County and City of Bozeman, Bozeman Deaconess Hospital (BDH), Montana
State University (MSU) and others to improve our protocols, training, and public education.
Additionally, we provide direct services to victims in the form of emergency and transitional
housing, counseling, emergency transportation, language services and other direct forms of
advocacy or assistance that help provide a victim the help they need to remain safe.
In January 2014, this team submitted an application to the Department of Justice for a grant to
continue to provide these services. In August 2014, The City of Bozeman received a $550,941
grant spanning three years to continue our successful program. This funding is through September
30, 2017 and has been a tremendous help in providing services to victims.
Attached is a full description of the program, budget and memorandum of understanding between
all partners in this project.
UNRESOLVED ISSUES: None
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ALTERNATIVES: As the commission directs.
FISCAL EFFECTS: This grant provides direct funding toward several city partners in the form
of legal advocacy (HAVEN), Sex Assault Advocacy (SACC) and Sex Assault Nurse Examiners
(BDH) amongst others. Without this funding, improvements to video capability for forensic child
interviews, educational materials, and various supplies will effect local funds. A significant
portion of this grant is for direct services for victims of domestic violence, stalking and sexual
assault. Without this funding, there will be limited funding available for lodging, counseling,
transportation, and other essential services for victims. Partnerships through non-government
agencies and direct victim services encompass the remaining funds and without those funds,
services to victims would be severely compromised and likely impact the general fund.
Grant Budget Summary:
Prosecution Office $ 8,844
Child Advocacy Center – improved video record $ 9,600
Travel/training $ 3,170
Victim Emergency phones $ 4,500
Hearing and language translation $ 3,600
Victim Transportation $ 9,000
Victim Counseling $ 9,000
Victim Sustainment $ 6,000
Victim emergency/transitional housing assistance $ 36,900
Accounting Services $ 11,520
Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault kit testing $ 8,400
Partner travel/training $ 3,860
HAVEN Services (Domestic Violence) $ 168,643
SACC Services (Sexual Assault) $ 149,007
Gallatin County Services (Victim Services office) $ 9,000
Guardian Ad-Litem Services (Child Court advocacy) $ 22,135
BDH Services (Sex Assault Nurse Examiners) $ 56,160
Total Grant $ 519,339
Attachments:
Project Narrative
Budget Narrative
Memorandum of Understanding between project partners
Report compiled on: January 30, 2017
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PROJECT NARRATIVE
PURPOSE OF APPLICATION:
The “Gallatin Project” is a group of criminal justice agencies, local victim advocacy
organizations and community partners that serve to provide and enhance services to victims of
sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking throughout the 2,600 square miles
encompassed by Gallatin County. According to the 2010 Census, 89,513 people live in the County,
an increase of 21,000 people in 10 years, a growth rate that continues to be one of the fastest in the
nation. Of these 45,000 live in Bozeman, the largest city in the County and home to all of the
partners of the Gallatin Project. Since the 2010 Census, Gallatin County’s growth has increased
by between 3% and 4% each year, with a huge increase in our local university to over 16,000
students. Other population centers within Gallatin County include Belgrade (pop. 10,300; 8 miles
west of Bozeman), Manhattan (pop. 2,000; 20 miles west of Bozeman) Three Forks (pop. 2,400;
30 miles west of Bozeman) and West Yellowstone (pop. 1,800; 91 miles south of Bozeman).
Services will be provided to these communities, Bozeman and the 16,000 students of MSU.
Through the past 18 years, we have benefited from OVW funding to help provide a means
to enhance our services and fill identified gaps. We are a current OVW funded grantee and have
found the funding truly life saving in terms of providing financial support for program areas that
would otherwise experience gaps in services. Our model has been and will continue to be one of
sustainment, growth and improvement. With local government funds, we have used OVW funding
as a catalyst to providing long-term advocacy, starting with 30%, then 20% and finally 10% OVW
funds to hire, train and sustain a dedicated prosecutor and several advocates, now fully funded
with local government funds. This particular application is continuation grant request. With
continued support from OVW, our goal is to continue to build upon and expand our programs.
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Every year we have added partners to our program, including our local hospital, other cities, and
partnership with our local housing program. For the majority of these last 18 years, we have held
formal, monthly Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) and Domestic Violence Response Team
(DVRT) meetings attended by members of this project while also including other organizations
and justice agencies in our community. We have established formal protocols, but more
importantly, built trusting relationships that allow us daily interaction, midnight phone calls and
sharing of services to always ensure the best available support for our survivors. We have partners
in the government arena that include prosecution, law enforcement and victim advocates. We have
community partners in the form of Bozeman Deaconess Hospital, Human Resource Development
Council (low-income housing assistance), Guardian Ad Litem children advocacy, Domestic
Violence Advocacy (HAVEN) and Sexual Assault Advocacy groups (SACC). Additional
partnership with our local university police and university victim advocacy group helps address
our campus population. Our victims vary from children to the single mother, to the homeless to
non-US citizens. Students account for a high percentage of our survivors, with their victimization
occurring both on and away from campus. Our advocacy services help whether a victim is seeking
criminal prosecution or just needs an attentive ear. In recent years, we have increased services to
those persons that identify as LGTBQ, Native Americans and African Americans. We have
imbedded solid contacts with our local university to directly provide translators/interpreters both
on day one at the location of victimization through to 6-months later when needed for a full day
trial.
2016 marked a benchmark of success for our community with the final establishment and
full accreditation of our new Child Advocacy Center. This Center and related protocols has been
a project for several years. This completion and accreditation provides the proper location,
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environment, policies and collaborative approach to providing forensic interviews and advocacy
to child victims of sexual assault. Having this center properly established has allowed our team to
put the child’s needs as the top priority.
Gaps: Our Gallatin Project has helped build solid working relationships with all partners to help
address specific needs of each survivor. Each partner brings matching financial contributions
beyond any funding by OVW. Volunteerism, other funding sources and local budgets support and
fill 90% of the means to address victim needs. However, that last 10% can be difficult to find and
often is the extra piece that helps us keep a victim safe. In our current OVW funding, and continued
in this request, is funding for some of these ‘fill the gap’ areas.
Identified gaps in housing or emergency shelter services to victims: One of HAVEN’s main
roles under the purview of this grant is to provide shelter for survivors of intimate partner violence
and stalking. HAVEN’s shelter has four bedrooms, though the children’s playroom has regularly
served as a fifth bedroom to meet the ever growing need for victims to have a safe place to stay.
Last fiscal year, HAVEN provided 5,351 nights of shelter to 140 victims, a 113% increase in the
number of nights of shelter provided since the Gallatin Project Consortium last submitted the
OVW Rural Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking proposal in 2014.
In addition to the nights victims spent at HAVEN’s shelter, the project partners also provided 627
nights in hotels to 187 victims in the current grant period. Hotel stays are used when the victim is
an adult male, or when HAVEN’s shelter is at capacity. HAVEN does have plans to build a new
facility with 40 beds in approximately three to four years, which will greatly reduce the need for
hotel stays in the future. However, at this point in time, providing victims with a hotel stay is truly
lifesaving. Our city has grown so fast that rental prices have skyrocketed, creating a serious
housing gap issue. When victimization occurs, often the victim finds herself in a position where
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the offender is no longer paying the rent. A month of rental assistance to help provide time for her
to get her finances and safety plan in place is essential. A funding source for rental assistance of
$400-$600/month for the 8-20 victims are needed each year.
Identified gap in Transportation and phone availability. Transportation for victims is another
gap where OVW funds have allowed us to provide much needed assistance. We have used funds
to assist in getting victims to court and even to assist in relocating survivors safely away from their
offender. In our rural and expansive county, public transportation is very limited. Transportation
funds have been used for taxis and gas cards to assist victims in meeting with advocates and
prosecutors or seeking other services. Additionally, having the ability to cover the travel costs of
a victim living out of state to be present for trial allows us the opportunity to fully prosecute
offenders, even in misdemeanor cases. In one case, having the funds and committing to bringing
a victim, her child who witnessed the assault, and the child’s guardian back to Montana for a trial,
resulted in the Defendant changing his plea. Without access to funds for transportation, we would
have been hamstrung to hold this abuser accountable. Additionally, we often find victims have
lost their phones, either because they were destroyed by their abuser or law enforcement has had
to seize them as evidence of the crime. A continued need to provide track phones and phone cards
is instrumental in ensuring a victim can reach 9-1-1 if in danger or communicate with advocates
and prosecutors as their case is handled.
Identified gap in language services: OVW has provided for language interpretation services.
Interpreters have been used during conversations with advocates, investigations by law
enforcement and in court to provide testimony. Through the Gallatin Project, relationships have
been formed with Montana State University to help assist with interpretation needs. We also
access ‘Language Line,” which provides three way interpreting services over the phone. Gallatin
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County is 97.3% Caucasian and for the majority of our population, English is spoken. When we
have a non-English speaker or hearing impaired individual, we seldom have a professional or
advocate that can assist with their communication. To ensure we can serve all potential victims in
our community, continued funding for language interpretation is essential. Bozeman is a target
city for Syrian refugees and if that occurs, language translation needs will be even more critical.
Identified gap in expedited testing for Drug Facilitated Sexual Assaults (DFSA). Over the
course of the past 5-6 years, our community has had a significant increase in suspected DFSAs.
Our state has one crime lab that is not sufficiently capable of providing testing for DFSA in a
timely manner. OVW funding to assist with this essential testing is crucial for providing timely
answers to victims, direction for investigators and prosecution, and limited funding continues to
be a gap.
Identified gap in Child Advocacy Center recording capability. While we now have an
established Child Advocacy Center, the recording equipment was purchased years ago and does
not provide the quality of recording that other, more modern systems do. We have other proven
systems for adults and see this as a critical gap to ensuring we protect children using high quality
recordings used by law enforcement and prosecutors.
Identified gaps in personnel and staffing: OVW funding has allowed us to hire a prosecutor,
victim advocate and legal advocate that we may otherwise not have been able to provide. Each of
these positions provides a “fill-in-the-gap” measure, allowing focused prosecution, direct
advocacy for victims and assistance applying for and obtaining protection orders. These positions
have proven invaluable to our successes thus far. In the current grant cycle, we have identified
additional areas where OVW funding can assist us in closing additional gaps in personnel.
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The Bozeman Deaconess Hospital is the only hospital in Gallatin County, and as such is
an important partner in our response to victims of domestic and sexual violence. We have
previously used a mix of hospital funds and OVW funds to train six Sexual Assault Nurse
Examiners (SANEs). However, SANEs complete their duties as an ancillary assignment and are
not always available for immediate response to complete a forensic examination. Our request
includes funding for on-call pay to allow a response plan that helps ensure a SANE is available for
quick response and with this project, now available for call-n every day of the year.
In 2014, we identified the need for a part time Coordinated Community Response
Associate (CCRA) to help ensure our team communication and liaison efforts are fulfilled, and
support our overall goals and objectives. In our busy worlds of serving survivors within our
individual organizations, we want and need someone to help provide a unified focus and keep all
of us working in the same direction of victim care. This position is not a coordinator or director,
but rather someone who can help provide communication and liaison to all partners of the grant,
ensure resources can be shared and serve as a central pivot point or hub for all services. This same
person spends part of their time providing education to citizens, other organizations and training
to partners of the Gallatin Project itself.
One path to increased safety for victims is an Order of Protection. HAVEN provides legal
advocacy to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Last fiscal year, 394 victims
of these crimes worked with HAVEN advocates to file for Orders of Protection, giving them legal
protections against their abuser. In addition to supporting victims as they file the necessary
paperwork, advocates also accompanied victims to court for related hearings. Prior to attending
hearings, advocates complete hearing preparation with the victims, walking them through calming
techniques and providing them with reassurance and support. All four of HAVEN’s advocates are
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trained in legal advocacy and can provide this service to victims. Past support from OVW has
allowed HAVEN to improve the legal advocacy program to provide more holistic services centered
around the victim’s well-being. The legal advocacy program has been extremely successful for
HAVEN, with 100% of respondents reporting that they obtained the legal recourse they desired.
Of the 107 temporary Orders of Protection requested last fiscal year, 73 (68%) were granted; 100%
of the permanent Orders of Protection requested were granted.
Identified gaps in underserved populations: Our goal is to effectively expand our efforts
and services in order to support segments of our population that we have identified as underserved.
Populations we see as underserved in Gallatin County include the lesbian, gay, transgender,
bisexual, queer or questioning (LGTBQ) population, particularly those attending Montana State
University, and a growing population of immigrant victims. There is a need for multi-lingual
education materials, direct outreach and advocacy efforts to assist these populations.
WHAT WILL BE DONE:
Our goals and objectives are driven by the vision that binds all members of our Gallatin Project:
Victim safety is the keystone of this proposal and is reflected in project goals:
GOAL 1: Protect all victims from further harm by dealing directly, effectively and
immediately with every reported occurrence of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence,
violation of civil orders of protection, and stalking throughout Gallatin County.
Establish and sustain a community where our entire community is free
from fear of violence, sexual assault and intimidation.
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Goal 1 - Objective 1: Provide access to Legal Advocacy, regardless of whether a victim has
reported to law enforcement or to a non-profit advocacy group and regardless of whether a separate
prosecution is commenced. Ensure all victims requesting orders of protection be given the
assistance and guidance to obtain temporary or permanent orders as appropriate. Ensure legal
advocates work closely with criminal justice victim advocates, prosecutors and law enforcement
to ensure the orders of protection are obtained, served and applicable safety plans are completed.
EXPECTED OUTCOME is a coordinated effort to provide no-contact or protection orders to
help protect a victim from their offender.
Goal 1 – Objective 2: Provide essential items or means for safety and survival that may not be
available to victims because of their victimization or because other programs are not available to
assist with these areas of concern. This includes emergency childcare, money for food and
diapers, track phones and minutes to ensure communication capabilities, as well as other
essentials.
EXPECTED OUTCOME is a victim that is more likely to be able to get back on his/her feet,
participate in counseling opportunities and assist with related prosecution of offenders without
being concerned with day to day survival.
Goal 1 - Objective 3: Identify, adopt or revise existing policies that enhance victim safety; with
a specific focus on underserved populations, to include immigrant victims and victims who self-
identify as LGTBQ population. These policies will include review and enhancement of existing
SART and DVRT protocols or practices. A portion of these policies will include education,
outreach efforts and product development that help encourage trust and participation by LGTBQ
persons, be they victims or volunteers, to assist with advocacy.
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EXPECTED OUTCOME is improved victim safety for all survivors, to include improved ability
and desire to report abuse and a better understanding and approach to assisting underserved
populations.
Goal 1 - Objective 4: Provide for emergency and transitional housing for victim’s safety. This
will be done by providing hotel stays when the shelter is full and the safety of the victim staying
in their previous home or residence is unsafe. Continued best practices includes not using victim
names when checking in. Transitional housing involves rental assistance and direct contact with
landlords or property owners to help ensure a victim has a stable and reliable residence.
EXPECTED OUTCOME is ensuring survivors have a safe location where they are protected
from their abuser and minimize distractions that prohibit or limit their day-to-day survival.
Goal 1 - Objective 5: Provide counseling services for primary and secondary victims.
EXPECTED OUTCOME is improved mental well-being of survivors by providing guidance in
addressing and coping with their fears and concerns.
Goal 1 - Objective 6: Provide language and hearing impaired translation services for victims, as
needed, to include similar services to witnesses if necessary, for investigation, prosecution and/or
for courtroom testimony. This will be done through use of “Language Link” and established
translators from staff at the Montana State University.
EXPECTED OUTCOME is to have improved communication with victims to ensure their needs
are addressed and related investigations and prosecutions are improved with increased potential
for success.
Goal 1 - Objective 7: Provide necessary transportation for victims to obtain services, provide
courtroom testimony, provide for themselves or travel to a safe location.
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EXPECTED OUTCOME is that victims will receive the services they need and be more apt and
capable to safely participate and assist in follow-up investigations, prosecution and court
proceedings.
Goal 1 - Objective 8: Provide for expedited testing of suspected Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault
evidence to enhance ability to focus related law enforcement investigations, help maintain
cooperation from victims and provide timely and necessary evidence for prosecution of offenders.
EXPECTED OUTCOME is to quickly provide an answer to a victim on whether they have had
illicit drugs introduced into their bodies against their will and improve investigations by law
enforcement and prosecution efforts.
GOAL #2: Expand capacities to identify, assess and appropriately respond to victims of sexual
assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking throughout Gallatin County while
sustaining and enhancing services currently provided to ALL victims of violence against women.
Goal 2 - Objective 1: The CCRA will provide a greater organization in planning and education,
development of coordinated policies and practices, and informing all partners of updates and
changes as it relates to SART, MDT and DVRT efforts. The CCRA will work with all partners to
coordinate community awareness events during national awareness months.
EXPECTED OUTCOME is improved coordination between all partners of this project, to
include improved communication, knowledge and understanding of available resources and one-
person liaison to ensure the creation and expansion of shared products satisfy the needs of all
partners and support the Project goals and objectives.
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Goal 2 - Objective 2: The CCRA will identify and provide education or serve as liaison to arrange
education by other project partners at least two times per month. This associate will work in
cooperation with the community to develop education and prevention strategies to at least 300
persons per year on topics related to identification, prevention, community support and criminal
justice options and procedures regarding victimization from domestic violence, sexual assault,
child sexual assault, and stalking. Smaller communities will receive increased focus.
EXPECTED OUTCOME is an improved understanding by our community of the dynamics of
domestic violence, stalking and child/adult sexual assault in conjunction with an increased
knowledge about and use of the community and criminal justice resources available.
Goal 2 - Objective 3: Strengthen Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) expertise and
availability by providing training to existing or new SANEs and providing on-call pay for more
immediate and timely response. This will ensure a trained SANE is available to properly gather
forensic evidence and minimize additional mental trauma to the victim.
EXPECTED OUTCOME is improved availability of trained SANEs to lower the stress and
embarrassment of victims and provide stronger, more legally defensible, forensic evidence for
related court procedures.
Goal 2 - Objective 4: Provide advanced training to members of the Gallatin Project on current or
new best practices regarding domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, violations of orders of
protection, and dating violence.
EXPECTED OUTCOME is a more comprehensive understanding of best practices for all
partners and disciplines in their response to victim needs.
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Goal 2 - Objective 5: Provide digital camera and recording system to new Child Advocacy Center
to ensure recordings of child forensic interviews are of high quality for use in court hearings.
EXPECTED OUTCOME is to ensure law enforcement officers and prosecutors have the
technology tools needed to properly gather audio, video and photographic evidence to support
related investigations and prosecutions, help protect victims and hold offenders accountable.
Goal 2 - Objective 6: Develop and enhance relationships with local low-income housing
organizations to find and provide immediately available, long-term housing for victims.
EXPECTED OUTCOME is providing victims with a more stable, long-term safe place to live.
Timeline and Tasks:
Mo Assign to: Task
1 Project Director Upon notice of funding award, Director will conduct meeting with
Gallatin Project Partners to review roles, responsibilities,
commitments, goals, objectives, staffing plan and work plan.
Subsequent meetings will be conducted at least quarterly to review
progress towards goals and objectives.
1 City Attorney Develop and execute contracts with sub-recipients participating in
and receiving funding through the project. Ensure prosecutor is
trained and in place to prosecute offenses in fulfillment of this
grant.
1 HAVEN Ensure Legal Advocate is trained and in place to assist victims
1+ All Partners Ensure matching local or other funded positions are filled and
performing duties of their position
1 SACC/HAVEN Ensure CCRA is hired, trained and leading the team.
1 CCRA Identify and educate all partners on access to hearing and language
translators
1 ALL Review existing brochures and education materials to determine
need to change, enhance or replace current materials
ALL ALL Ensure all duties and services provided are in support of GOALS
and OBJECTIVES and related reporting requirements are met.
ALL ALL Attend and participate in monthly SART/DVRT meetings and
other meetings or collaborative efforts as identified.
2-3 MSU Voice+ Review and identify Immigrant and LGTBQ underserved needs
and establish plan to address education and service delivery
2 LE/SACC Identify and purchase specific audio and video recording
equipment for Child Advocacy Center.
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4 ALL Complete semi-annual report
4 ALL Identify advanced training needs for LE, Prosecution and
Advocates for attendance, as training is available
4 LE/SACC Complete recording installation for Child Advocacy Center
5 Project Director Attend financial management seminar
7 ALL Conduct initial review of existing SART/DVRT protocols for
areas to address underserved or enhance services
8 Hospital Complete advance SANE training for current or new SANEs
10 ALL Complete Semi-Annual Report
11-
12
ALL Review first year progress as a team and identify and establish 2
and 3 year education plan and areas of practice or policy that need
enhancement or adjustment
Year 2 Complete similar schedule as listed for months 1-12, year one.
13 ALL Review all brochures for needed updates or replacement
16 ALL Complete semi-annual report
19 Project Director Review budget spending status for final year of grant
22 ALL Complete semi-annual report
Year 3
25 ALL Review goals, objectives and progress of grant. Review brochures
and products for any needed changes or replacements
28 ALL Complete semi-annual report
34 ALL Complete semi-annual report
36 City Complete final report of grant
Training:
All training attended by project staff will be OVW-sponsored. After receiving OVW training,
project staff will incorporate what they have learned into their individual organization trainings,
practices and briefings. Members attending these training opportunities will include.
• Members of the Gallatin Project.
• City of Bozeman, Montana State University, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and other
sworn law enforcement officers from local jurisdictions.
• City of Bozeman prosecutor.
• Gallatin County prosecutor.
• Victim Service Providers throughout Gallatin County.
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• MSU campus community.
As soon as funding is available, the Project Director will identify specific training opportunities
available through OVW for FYs 2017-2020. The Gallatin Project has prioritized the following
areas for additional training:
• Sexual assault investigative techniques that protect victim safety while ensuring
accountability for offenders;
• Advance training for prosecutors, especially for stalking, domestic violence and sexual
assault;
• Community outreach, advocacy and education designed to overcome barriers to reporting
and enhance community awareness regarding victim safety and confidentiality; and the
need for offender accountability;
• Methodology for establishing collaboration with courts without threatening court
autonomy;
• Enhancement of existing or future Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners;
• Continuing and accessible technical assistance from OVW on all of the above.
Products:
Products developed through this project include brochures, posters and social-media/web-
site postings. Victim safety will be the primary focus during the design and distribution of all
products. When appropriate, multi-lingual products will be developed. Separate brochures will
be designed for target populations including:
• General community to increase awareness and generate advocacy.
• Actual and potential victims of violence against women.
• Members of the LGTBQ community at risk for violence against women.
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• Immigrant populations at risk for violence against women.
Posters will be designed and distributed to announce community meetings and training. A mix
of dissemination will be done, including electronic and printed forms to maximize the target
audience of the messaging in the products. To the fullest extent possible, distribution will be
through electronic media.
Victim Safety and Autonomy:
Ensuring victim safety is the highest priority of all members of the Gallatin Project.
Preserving confidentiality is a cornerstone of victim safety and is the inviolable duty of everyone
serving victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking. Many members
of the Gallatin Project are signatory to the Sexual Assault Response Team Protocol, as well as the
Domestic Violence Response Team. We provide services to victims, regardless of whether they
are requesting prosecution or not, helping to remove one of the barriers often confronting victims.
Confidentiality and safety is preserved in other forms, such as providing emergency lodging at a
local motel without need for providing a name when checking in. Track phones are provided to
ensure victims can communicate and transportation is provided for those victims in need.
Other keys to safety include issuing and enforcing orders of protection. The Legal
Advocate will be providing all information about obtaining an order of protection, assisting with
the completion of the petition, assisting in filing the order in the correct court, ensuring the client
knows the outcome of the petition, arranging for service of the order of protection, preparing the
petitioner for the hearing and attending the hearing for support. The process of obtaining orders of
protection can be daunting, and it is crucial to have someone assisting the client through each step,
especially since their life could depend on it. In addition to covering all of the steps from inception
of the order to adjudication at the hearing, the Legal Advocate and Victim Advocate will help with
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meeting the additional client needs, such as housing, emergency income and childcare providers.
All of HAVEN’s programs provide wraparound services necessary for living a life free from abuse.
All signatories to the Project’s Memorandum of Understanding have policies in place for
the protection of victims including physical safety within their facilities. Services provided by
MSU VOICE, SACC and HAVEN emphasize victim choice and autonomy. Many victims are
provided counseling and education regarding the legal system; and many receive support services
such as emergency shelter and childcare that give them the ‘breathing room’ to consider options.
Funding of this proposal will expand these opportunities for victims and enhance the autonomy of
all women and men served through this project.
Instruments of local government, especially law enforcement, prosecution and courts, are
not only dedicated to protecting the safety of victims, they are determined to hold offenders
accountable. Persuasive arguments are made that the safety and autonomy of victims increases in
direct proportion to the degree to which offenders are held accountable. The City of Bozeman,
Gallatin County and City of Belgrade, amongst others, accept the immense responsibility of
protecting victims by holding offenders accountable.
WHO WILL IMPLEMENT THE PROJECT:
This project’s highest priority is to ensure we continue to provide and enhance the
coordinated community response we have developed over the past two decades. While we are
asking for funding as it relates to several staff positions, each comes with a matching in-kind share
and a sustainment plan that allows our program to continue beyond this grant period. Our overall
capacity to successfully implement and manage this project is based primarily on the fact that we
have established, well-run and managed organizations, programs, protocols and working
relationships.
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CITY OF BOZEMAN: The City of Bozeman is the primary applicant and has overseen
this project for the past 15 years. The City’s solid, ongoing and progressive approach to training,
enforcement and prosecution of offenders equals the approach to working with other organizations,
victims and the public to provide the best protection for victims. Our prosecution office has a
prosecutor hired under the previous two grants who is now fully trained and experienced in
handling domestic violence and sexual assault prosecutions able to hit the ground running. The
Assistant Police Chief has served as project director for the last 12 years and consistently ensures
the project fulfills all of the intended objectives and goals. Detectives who handle these focused
investigations have benefited directly from OVW training over the past 3 years and are able to
fully understand how best to address and respect victims.
HAVEN (Domestic Violence Advocacy): Since 1979, HAVEN has served victims of
intimate partner violence in the rural county of Gallatin County, Montana. HAVEN provides a
shelter, legal advocacy, 24-hour support line, individual counseling, support groups; and, through
an Office on Violence Against Women – Legal Assistance for Victims grant, is the only Board of
Immigration Appeals (BIA)-recognized organization in Montana. HAVEN has the experience and
understanding to provide quality intervention and prevention services for underserved populations,
including immigrants, limited English proficiency victims and victims from racial minorities. Last
fiscal year, HAVEN worked with 953 survivors of intimate partner violence.
For many victims, HAVEN’s support line is the first step they take in reaching out for help.
HAVEN will maintain its 24-hour support line, staffed by trained advocates and volunteers who
safety plan with victims, provide referrals, and offer support and validation. Last fiscal year,
HAVEN’s support line received 3,218 calls from both primary and secondary victims seeking
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support. HAVEN’s executive director and program manager have been in place for 4 years and
1 year respectively and have a solid grasp of their role in this project.
GALLATIN COUNTY: Our Victim Services office is a department of Gallatin County.
The director has been in place for 3 years and has a fully trained staff, two of which have been
hired and funded partially by OVW funds, and continue to advocate for victims with a great
understanding of resources, the behavior dynamics of victims and the need to work collaboratively
with other organizations.
SACC: Our Sexual Assault Counseling Center is part of our local Help Center. This
organization was formed in 1971 and provides sexual assault advocacy, counseling and referrals.
The current director has been the director for over 15 years. This organization has also been the
primary home for our Community Coordinated Resource Associate (CCRA) and creation and
oversight for our newly accredited Child Advocacy Center. This CCRA is doing an outstanding
job in keeping all of the “parts” moving in one direction, sharing best practices and helping keep
the public engaged and informed of the Gallatin Project.
CASA/GUARDIAN AD LITEM: The CASA/GAL Executive Director spends
approximately 12% of her time providing much needed training to volunteer advocates regarding
domestic violence, child abuse and child sexual abuse. In addition, the Director provides
educational opportunities to community groups, Foster Care agencies/parents, and other related
agencies regarding these topics, the role of CASA/GAL in supporting traumatized children, and
how attendees can identify, report, and assist those impacted by or subjected to Domestic Violence
and Child Sexual Abuse.
OTHER PARTNERS: Other agencies have at least one representative serving in a liaison
role, including the Bozeman Deaconess Hospital (BDH), MSU Voice Center and Belgrade Police
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Department. BDH has improved dramatically with a single, lead Sex Assault Nurse Examiner
working with the grant partners. She has led the charge in getting all of her SANEs fully trained
and on a paid “on-call” system supplemented by OVW funds to ensure when a SANE is needed,
they are available 24/7. MSU Voice Center is a model program for advocacy efforts at the
University level. Their director has been in place for over 7 years and leads a diverse program of
advocacy and education to college students. Much of our underserved populations of Native
Americans and LGBTQ individuals are served by her, even though little funding is provided direct
by this project.
How Underserved Populations will be addressed:
This proposal identifies two specific underserved populations: LGBTQ individuals and
Immigrants. Individuals that come from different backgrounds and cultures are especially reticent
to report because they fear they may be blamed, discriminated against, or even forced to leave their
community or the country. Regardless of where or how an Immigrant or LGBTQ victim seeks
help, they will be treated with dignity, respect and cultural sensitivity. Additionally, it is our hope
that in engaging these two groups we can create a basic response model in our county that can be
applied to any culturally specific or underserved group.
Gallatin County is currently experiencing an increase in immigrant populations, especially
the Hispanic population. Montana’s Hispanic population is 2.9%. According to the 2010 Census,
three towns in Gallatin County exceed the State’s population average, the highest being nearly
17.4%. We also estimate, consistent with national studies, that about 10% of our population
identifies as LGBTQ. We believe that an intensive educational effort is needed to create a clear
understanding of the situation and to implement common response. We propose to:
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• Train disciplines on Immigration-safe resources to ensure each discipline understands
local, state, and federal policies regarding information sharing about immigration. Provide
training updates to disciplines on LGBTQ safe resources and local, state, and federal
policies.
• Educate the public about services that are provided to everyone regardless of immigration
status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
• Promote what services are available from community based service providers to the public
in places that encounter immigrant and LGBTQ individuals including schools and medical
providers.
• Create materials that provide information and resources about Sexual Assault, Domestic
Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking targeted towards Immigrant and LGBTQ
populations, and assure that multi-lingual materials are translated accurately and
appropriately.
• Gallatin County’s Domestic Violence Response Team and Sexual Assault Response Team
will review and discuss how to formalize possible remedies. Training on best practices
activities, such as the use of the U-Visa certification form created by VAWA 2000 to
provide relief for immigrant victims of crime, will be introduced and implemented through
the Response Teams.
The Gallatin Project hopes that through education, outreach and policy enhancements to and
about underserved populations that victims will be able to enter (and exit) feeling safe andrespected
with their needs met.
Our ultimate goal of the Gallatin Project is to establish and sustain a community where our
entire community is free from fear of violence, sexual assault and intimidation.
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BUDGET NARRATIVE
The City of Bozeman is requesting $519,339 from the Department of Justice for a three-
year project in response to the Office on Violence Against Women Rural Sexual Assault, Domestic
Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking Assistance Program notice of funding availability. This
request is for CONTINUATION funding and when awarded, funds will be used primarily to
provide and enhance direct services to victims of violence throughout Gallatin County. Line-
item justification is as follows:
--A. Personnel: As indicated in the project narrative, the applicant is the City of Bozeman.
Through the last 2 grant awards, the applicant has worked closely with local government and
promised to OVW in a sustainment plan that OVW funds would be used as a catalyst for new,
necessary positions, but would be eventually replaced with long-term, dedicated local funds. This
has occurred and there will not be any personnel costs requested by the applicant directly. There
are some contracted services personnel related costs listed in those respective categories.
Total Personnel: $0
--B. Fringe: With no direct personnel costs for the applicant, there is also no fringe requested.
Total Fringe: $0
--C. Training/Technical Assistance: Funds for training are requested in the amount of $10,000
for the three-year project. This funding is exclusively for attending OVW-sponsored training
directly related to this project. Training includes one major OVW training conference for one law
enforcement officer and one prosecutor. It is anticipated the project director will need to attend a
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technical assistance seminar in 2018. The remaining amount of $6,830 has been allocated for
partner travel and can be found in Section G of this form.
--D. Equipment: We have identified a need for a camera system and supporting computer at our
Multi-Disciplinary Team- Child Advocacy Center. This center is the location for forensic
interviews of child victims of physical and sexual abuse. Approximately 80% of the interviews
conducted are focused on child sexual assault cases. The current video system is Analog and lacks
the quality, reliability and ease of recording, exploring and searching necessary for use in
prosecution of sexual abuse crimes. A computer that will properly support the storage, download
and related redaction needs is also part of this need. A mix of in-kind support for this purchase
includes some matching local funds and donations from area foundations that have expressed
interest in supporting this need. Two laptop computers are necessary at this center to support
computer needs related to child sexual abuse investigations.
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Encore Package Dell 9020 Minitower with 1TB
hard drive, 23” wide-screen Monitor and
supporting accessories (actual cost) $5,000
Travel:
OVW-mandated Training and Technical Assistance
Location TBD
Airfare $800 (average) X 3 people X 1
trip $2,400
Lodging $220 (average) X 3 people X 4
nights X 1 trip $2,640
Per Diem $50 (average) X 3 people X 5
days X 1 trip $ 750
Less local government match ($2,620)
Total Travel: $3,170
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Installation costs $4,000
Local/foundation share (20% match) ($1,800)
2 laptop computers $3,000
Local/foundation share (20% match) ($ 600)
Total Equipment $9,600
--E. Supplies: The majority of supplies are listed/included separately in contracted services, as
they are purchased directly and specifically by sub-recipients of this grant and Gallatin Project.
For the city, supplies include a need to pay for matching share of Westlaw license fees, which
provide necessary legal information for effective prosecution. Some level of office supplies is
needed, to include binders, calendars, toner, etc. Additionally, a portable phone is needed for the
prosecutor who maintains contact with law enforcement 24 hours/day @ $40/month. Track phones
with minute cards are provided to victims who have their phone destroyed or do not have one, with
an estimated 30 phones/cards @ $50 each per year.
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Westlaw Fees $1,968 $1,968 $1,968
Prosecution Phone fee $480 $480 $480
Office supplies for prosecutor $500 $500 $500
Emergency phones and phone cards $1,500 $1,500 $1,500
Total $4,448 $4,488 $4,488
Total Supplies $13,344
--F. Construction: No funds for construction are requested and no construction activities are
included in the project.
Construction:
Total Construction: $0
--G. Consultant/Contract: Total amount: $493,225
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A number of areas of consultant/contract services are used and shared by all members of our
Project. This includes the availability and use of language translator telephonic and direct services
and hearing impairment services. The rates vary on these costs, ranging from $20-$25 per hour.
We anticipate no more than $1,200 per year in these services. We provide transportation for
victims for varying reasons. These can include a taxi ride for court or advocacy services, to a
quick repair to get a victim a means to travel to a safe location away from their abuser. A portion
of this funding is to bring victims who have moved to another state back to Montana for testimony.
This rate is based on former and projected annual costs. Some funding to provide emergency
meals is also included in this calculation. Counseling is available and provided for primary and
secondary victims at $75 per hour rate. We anticipate providing no less than 4 hours per/month
counseling from this grant funds, with local or other funding sources paying for any counseling
beyond the 4 hours. Occasionally emergency childcare is needed for a victim either at the time
of abuse or related advocacy and court procedures afterward. Emergency lodging has become an
enormous need. An agreement is in place with a local motel to maintain confidentiality while
providing rooms. Our local shelter has either been full or not suitable for victims based on their
circumstances or the gender of their children. In the past 3 years, we have averaged 40 nights
lodging need per year. With the growth of this city and continued limitations with our current
shelter, we estimate needing 60 nights lodging per year based on $80/night cost. We have
conducted expedited testing for those suspected victims of drug facilitated sexual assault. We
anticipate needing to analyze six tests/year, costing $800/test. The ability to have expedited testing
is not possible with our current State Crime Lab and would have to be our-resourced to a private
vendor. Our current State Crime Lab will continue to handle normal sex-kit forensic analysis. In
this grant application we are adding some long-term housing assistance. One or two nights has
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been provided for immediate safety, but doesn’t help with longer term safety. Our community, as
demonstrated in project narrative, has extremely limited and expensive housing. When a victim
is left stranded or her partner that abused her was paying the rent, the victim needs some assistance.
This rate is based on fifteen victims @ $500 per victim per year. We intend to contract with an
accountant to consolidate all of the contracted service invoices to ensure we are complying with
all requirements on accepting the grant. We estimate this to be 8 hours per month at $40/hour, or
$3,840/year.
--C. Partner Training/Technical Assistance: Funds for travel specific to training are requested
in the amount of $3,860 for the three-year project. This funding is exclusively for attending OVW-
sponsored training directly related to this project. Training includes one major OVW training
conference for one legal advocate and one government advocate. The remaining travel is based
on travel by advocates to remote areas of the County to assist our smaller communities in both
direct advocacy and education and is listed below in HAVEN and SACC specific budget requests.
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Hearing/Language services $1,200 $1,200 $1,200
Victim Emergency or court Transportation $3,000 $3,000 $3,000
Victim Emergency Meals $1,000 $1,000 $1,000
Victim Counseling $3,000 $3,000 $3,000
Victim Emergency Child care $1,000 $1,000 $1,000
Travel:
OVW-mandated Training and Technical Assistance
Location TBD
Airfare $800 (average) X 2 people X 1
trip $1,600
Lodging $220 (average) X 2 people X 4
nights X 1 trip $1,760
Per Diem $50 (average) X 2 people X 5
days X 1 trip $ 500
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Victim Emergency Lodging $4,800 $4,800 $4,800
DFSA Expedited Testing $2,800 $2,800 $2,800
Housing Assistance $7,500 $7,500 $7,500
Accounting services $3,840 $3,840 $3,840
Consultant Travel for training $3,860
Total all-partners shared contracted services $88,280
Each sub-recipient has costs as follows:
HAVEN (Domestic Violence Advocacy).
HAVEN requests a total of $168,643 in funds to cover advocate salaries, transportation costs and
printing costs, which will all reduce the unique barriers survivors in rural areas face, and more
quickly connect them with life-saving resources.
A total of $162,323 in salaries is requested to fund a portion of the survivor advocacy program at
HAVEN. The salaries requested will cover 35% of two advocate salaries at HAVEN, based on an
average of $40,000 annual salary and 4% annual cost of living increases. HAVEN will provide the
65% match, as well as all fringe benefits for advocates.
In addition to staff salaries, HAVEN requests $1,320 funding for transportation costs to cover fuel
for the HAVEN staff car. By providing transportation, HAVEN will reduce one more barrier for
survivors who are attempting to connect with other resources throughout the sparsely populated
county. The $1,320 amount was calculated based on $.55/mile rate for 800 miles in travel each
year.
As part of the collaborative efforts under this proposal, HAVEN provides law enforcement with
informative brochures which officers then give to victims when they respond to domestic violence
calls. HAVEN requests $5,000 in printing funds to cover the cost of these brochures. This amount
is based on previous years’ actual costs.
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
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Advocacy program salaries $52,000 $54,080 $56,243
Brochures, printing costs $1,500 $1,700 $1,800
Transportation $ 440 $ 440 $ 440
Annual Contracted Services – HAVEN $53,940 $56,220 $58,483
Total Contracted Services – HAVEN $168,643
SEXUAL ASSAULT COUNSELING CENTER (SACC) – The Community
Coordinated Community Response Associate (CCRA) is fully funded by this grant application.
Pay is based on comparable pay to similar positions of ability and responsibility in the state and
reflects the ongoing costs of an existing position. Salary is $14.75/hour with 3% increase in years
two and three of the grant. Fringe is based on total of FICA (7.65%), Health Insurance (12.78%),
Worker’s Compensation (3.85%) and Unemployment (1%). Executive Director is contributing
10% of time to this grant purpose, with that based on an overall salary of $55,000 and no fringe
being requested. The Executive Director serves as a liaison and coordinating role with other users,
developing and administering new polices and protocols, and is responsible for the supervision for
CCRA. This equates to 168 hours/year dedicated to this role, with any additional hours provided
by in-kind contribution. An anticipated three percent increase has been added in for years two and
three respectively. The CCRA will be traveling to outlying areas of the County including West
Yellowstone six times per year (600 miles) and throughout the remaining of Gallatin County (400
miles per year) to conduct training and education based on $.55/mile. $2,000 per year includes
paper supplies, toner, and creation and distribution of new brochures and educational materials.
$99 per month is being requested for IT support as well as a new desktop and monitor in Year 2.
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
CCRA Salary $30,680 $31,595 $32,552
Hourly pay - Yr 1-$14.75 / Yr 2 $15.19 / Yr. 3
$15.65)
Fringe – CCRA (25.28% X salary) $7,756 $7,987 $8,229
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Desktop Computer and Monitor $2000
Executive Director Salary $5,500 $5,664 $5,830
Hourly pay - Yr 1-$26.44 / Yr 2 $27.23 / Yr 3
$28.05
Local Travel $550 $550 $550
Brochures, flyers and similar community outreach $1,500 $1,500 $1,500
Office supplies
$500 $500 $500
IT Support - 1 laptop or computer through
CONNECT
$1,188 $1,188 $1,188
Total Contracted Services - SACC
$ 47,674 $50,984 $50,349
Total SACC Contracted Services – 3 years
$149,007
GALLATIN COUNTY – As indicated in Personnel section of the Budget Narrative,
Gallatin County has also followed a sustainment model that has led to local government fully
funding their advocate positions. They are still in need of financing for some victim-centric
brochures, office supplies and IT support.
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Brochures, mailings, flyers, etc. $2,000 $2,000 $2,000
Office supplies $ 500 $ 500 $ 500
IT support $ 500 $ 500 $ 500
Total Contracted Services - Gallatin County $9,000
CASA/GUARDIAN AD-LITEM – The CASA/Guardian Ad Litem Executive Director
spends approximately 250 hours, or 1/8th
of her time, per year training volunteer advocates on
sexual assault and domestic violence as it pertains to children, women and families. The Director
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is paid an annual salary of $55,000 ($26.44/hour), which includes a $5,000 insurance stipend, as
determined by a board of directors. An anticipated cost of living increase of 4% annual used for
years two and three. The program does not wish to request reimbursement of fringe benefits as it
uses community donations to cover these costs. The program anticipates spending $500/year in
paper supplies, toner, training materials, and other expenses related to the training of volunteers.
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
GAL Director education/training (250 X $26.44) $6,610 $6,875 $7,150
Year two (250 X $27.50)
Year three (250 X $28.60)
Office supplies, paper and toner
$ 500 $ 500 $ 500
Total Contracted Services – Guardian Ad Litem $22,135
BOZEMAN DEACONESS HOSPITAL – The majority of costs for SANE nurse care for
victims is handled through in-kind contribution by the hospital and costs that are reimbursed by
individual insurance, victim compensation or restitution by offenders. As indicated in the project
narrative, an unfunded call-out pay is being requested in this grant. This will ensure a SANE nurse
is available 24 hours/day for the entire grant period. The most difficult days to ensure a SANE
nurse is available each Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This computation involves paying
$360/week on-call pay with agreement by SANE to operationally ensure a SANE is always
available.
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
On-call for SANE nurses (365 days/year) $18,720 $18,720 $18,720
Total Contracted Services -
Bozeman Deaconess Hospital $56,160
Total of all Contracted Services - $493,225
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--I. Indirect Costs: No indirect costs are claimed for this project.
Indirect Costs:
Total: $0
Budget Summary
Budget Category Amount
A. Personnel $ 0
B. Fringe Benefits $ 0
C. Travel $ 3,170
D. Equipment $ 9,600
E. Supplies $ 13,344
F. Construction $ 0
G. Consultants and Contracts $ 493,225
H. Other Costs $ 0
Total Direct Costs $
I. Indirect Costs $ 0
TOTAL PROJECT COSTS $ 519,339
Federal Share Requested $
Non-Federal (Match) amount $ 0
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