HomeMy WebLinkAbout2. Ratify DOJ OVW
Commission Memorandum
REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Rich McLane, Deputy Chief of Police
SUBJECT: Ratify signature of Chris Kukulski signing agreement for services and receipt of grant funds for sub-recipients as part of 2014 Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) grant award.
MEETING DATE: October 13, 2014
AGENDA ITEM TYPE: Consent
RECOMMENDATION: Ratify signature of Chris Kukulski signing agreements with Sexual Assault Counseling Center, HAVEN, Gallatin County CASA-GAL and Bozeman Deaconess Hospital to receive funding and provide services related to a grant award of $550,941 from DOJ,
OVW.
BACKGROUND: For over 20 years, the City of Bozeman has partnered with other
government and non-government organization in providing 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), 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, we were awarded a $550,941 3-year grant to
continue our successful program. I am the administrator of the grant. The City enters into sub-recipient agreements with other partners to ensure all requirements of the grant are satisfied as the grant administrator for the City. This memo addresses only the need to authorize these
agreements for all partners other than Gallatin County, which will be addressed separately. The
partners under this grant receive the following in grant funding over the 3 year grant period
(October 1, 2014 to September 30, 2017).
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A full description of the program, budget and memorandum of understanding between all
partners in this project is attached or available for review at:
http://weblink.bozeman.net/WebLink8/Browse.aspx?startid=73301
UNRESOLVED ISSUES: Submitting a separate inter-local agreement regarding victim services provided by Gallatin County.
ALTERNATIVES: None.
FISCAL EFFECTS:
This grant provides $58,131 in direct funding toward a city prosecutor, related licenses and
supplies and training. Without the additional funding, direct services to victims of domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault will likely be compromised, with limited funding available for lodging, counseling, transportation, etc. Some of this lack of funding would likely lead to
impacts on general fund, with a need to fully fund prosecution salary, drug facilitated sexual
assault testing and other items that would be necessary to fund, regardless of this grant source.
The signing of these agreements does not directly impact city budgets, but rather ensures that all partners are in compliance with Department of Justice requirements and protects the grant funding for both the city and partners in the grant.
Attachments:
Project Narrative
Budget Narrative Sub-recipient Agreement with SACC Sub-recipient Agreement with HAVEN
Sub-recipient Agreement with GAL
Sub-recipient Agreement with BDH
Report compiled on: September 26, 2014
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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. 92,614 people live in the County (2012), 37,280 of who live in
Bozeman. Since the 2000 Census, Bozeman’s population increased 35.5% and Gallatin
County’s population increased 32%. Other population centers within Gallatin County include
Belgrade (pop. 8,485; 8 miles west of Bozeman), Manhattan (pop. 1,649; 20 miles west of
Bozeman) Three Forks (pop. 1,951; 30 miles west of Bozeman) and West Yellowstone (pop.
1,554; 91 miles south of Bozeman). Services will be provided to these communities, Bozeman
and the 15,300 students of Montana State University.
Through the past 15 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 where
otherwise we would have gaps in our services. With continued support from OVW, our goal is
to continue to build upon and expand our programs. Every year we’ve added partners to our
program, expanded services to victims and introduced new ideas or concepts to better train,
educate and provide comprehensive protection. We have formal, monthly Sexual Assault
Response Team (SART) and Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT) meetings attended by
members of this project that include 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 find the best
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available support for our survivors. The Gallatin Project has a mix of multi-disciplinary partners
that help us identify and fill voids that cannot be handled with a single dimensional approach.
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, and Domestic Violence Advocacy and Sexual Assault Advocacy groups. Additional
partnership with our local university police and university victim advocacy group helps address
our campus population. Our victims have varied from 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.
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 victims. 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 services to victims: Obtaining appropriate housing to protect victims in
crisis is a struggle. Our shelter only has 4 rooms and can accommodate 15 victims, but is often
full to capacity. Since 2008, the shelter has increased from providing 421 bed nights to 65
survivors, to providing 2,511 bed nights for 129 survivors in 2013. Additionally, we have had
male victims or mothers with older male children, where shelter is not appropriate. OVW funds
have given us the ability to provide a safe haven to over 50 victims in hotel rooms when our
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shelter was not an option. A night or two in a hotel not only physically protects victim’s safety
planning with advocates, but also givens then overall support in knowing someone cares.
Transitional housing is another place we see a gap in our services. While we have funded
emergency lodging at hotel rooms, we have found it difficult to provide housing beyond 48
hours.
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 bring 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.
OVW provides 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 County is 97.3% Caucasian
and for the majority of our population, English is spoken. To ensure we can serve all potential
victims in our community, continued funding for language interpretation is essential.
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In the last two years we have developed an interdisciplinary response to Drug Facilitated
Sexual Assault. Identifying this issue, training related to DFSA, and implementing a protocol
was a great success for the Gallatin Project, costs related to expedite testing are high. OVW
funding to assist with this essential testing is crucial for providing timely answers to victims and
direction for investigators and prosecution and limited funding continues to be a gap.
Identified gaps in personnel and staffing: OVW funding has allowed us to hire a prosecutor,
victim advocate and legal advocate that we otherwise may not have been able to provide. Each
of these positions provides a “fill in the gap”, 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.
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.
We have further identified the need for a part time Coordinated Community Response
Associate 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
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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.
Expansion of Services: In our most recent report to the Department of Justice, Office of
Violence against Women, we provided a wide range of services in just one 6 month period. 290
victims were fully (283) or partially (7) served, with 264 female victims served. 224 of these
were domestic violence related. We served 133 secondary victims and answered 537 hotline
calls. Our legal advocate assisted with 99 temporary or permanent orders of protection, with 79
granted. Our prosecutor received 33 cases for prosecution and accepted 32 of them. Only 3 of
these resulted in acquittal or dismissal by the courts. A total of 320 professionals were trained
and we provided community education to another 561 persons. This is just a 6 month period of
the grant and represents only a portion of the victims served over the entire 3 year period, not to
mention the 15 years previous. Emergency lodging, training and education programs are often
viewed by local government or funding sources as “luxury” items and tends to be underfunded.
We have found these to be essential for the safety of our victims and vital to the effectiveness of
our professionals. Without OVW funding, much of the above described services would be
diminished or not provided at all.
Our goal is to effectively expand our efforts and services in order to support segments of
our population that w have identified as underserved. Populations we see as underserved in
Gallatin County include 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.
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We also have a need to provide more services to other municipal locations within
Gallatin County, ranging as far away as 90 miles from Bozeman. Each of these locations has a
need for training of local law enforcement, prosecutors, direct services for victims, and education
to community members and volunteers. Continued gaps exist in finding and providing quality
training for our professionals and generally require travel to a larger community in another state
to receive this training.
Within Bozeman itself, we anticipate in the next three to five years a new municipal
court/police facility at a location several miles from our existing victim services office. We are
requesting additional funds to help support hiring an additional legal and victim advocate to
ensure no victim goes un-served. A walk across a hallway can be a mile for a victim in crisis. A
drive across town to get help can be insurmountable.
Our current project is currently funded through September 30, 2014 with OVW funding.
There will not be duplication of efforts, but rather quite the contrary. This funding will ensure
our current, quality program continues and we can expand and enhance our services and
programs to be even more effective.
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 are given
the assistance and guidance to obtain temporary or permanent orders as appropriate. Ensure
legal advocate works closely with criminal justice victim advocate, 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 trained, specialized prosecutor to prosecute criminal violations
related to domestic violence, stalking, violations of orders of protection, and sexual assault.
During the three years of the grant this Prosecutor will: (i) continue to prosecute all domestic
violence related misdemeanor offenses which occur within the City of Bozeman and on the
campus of the Montana State University; (ii) serve as liaison consultant to other area prosecutors
to assist with their particular challenges; (iii) continue to develop the technical ability to
prosecute offenses regardless of victim participation; (iv) continue to work with and train law
enforcement on best practices for investigations and evidence collection; (v) develop expert
witnesses for use in hearings and trials; and (vi) participate in Gallatin Project educational
efforts.
EXPECTED OUTCOME is improved prosecution of offenders, holding offenders accountable
and providing long term safety for victims. Assistance to other partners to improve their services
through interaction with fully trained prosecutor.
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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.
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.
EXPECTED OUTCOME is ensuring survivors have a safe location where they are protected
from their abuser.
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 and prosecution or
for courtroom testimony.
EXPECTED OUTCOME is to have improved communication with victims to ensure their
needs are addressed and related investigations and prosecutions are improved and more likely to
be successful.
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Goal 1 - Objective 7: Provide necessary transportation for victims to obtain services, provide
courtroom testimony, provide for themselves or travel to a safe location.
EXPECTED OUTCOME is that victims will receive the services they need and be more likely
and able 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 investigation, 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 Community Coordinated Response Associate (CCR Associate) 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 and DVRT
efforts.
EXPECTED OUTCOME is improved coordination between all partners of this project, to
include improved communication, understanding of available resources and one-person liaison to
ensure all shared products satisfy the needs of all partners and support the Project goals and
objectives.
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Goal 2 - Objective 2: The Community Education Associate 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 200 persons per year on topics related to identification, prevention or support
regarding victimization from domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, court orders of
protection, and stalking.
EXPECTED OUTCOME is an improved understanding by our community of the dynamics of
domestic violence, dating violence, stalking and sexual assault. Improved support for survivors
and an increase in reporting of abuse.
Goal 2 - Objective 3: Strengthen Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) expertise and
availability by providing training of 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: Hire additional legal advocate and criminal justice victim advocate in
year three of the grant to continue services at current levels in response to the relocation of
municipal law enforcement, prosecution, and courts to a new location several miles from the
current advocacy and victim services offices and projected growth in our overall service
population.
EXPECTED OUTCOME is ensuring a legal advocate and criminal justice victim advocate are
readily available throughout the Project area and victims get the services and safety they need.
Goal 2 - Objective 6: Provide additional cameras and recording devices to all area law
enforcement, especially smaller, more rural agencies, to ensure the gathering of evidence such as
photographs and recordings of statements of victims, witnesses, and offenders are done in the
best manner to support eventual prosecution.
EXPECTED OUTCOME is to ensure law enforcement officers have the technology tools they
need to properly gather audio, video and photographic evidence to support related investigations
and prosecutions, help protect victims and hold offenders accountable.
Goal 2 - Objective 7: 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.
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Goal 2 - Objective 8: Identify gaps or deficiencies in service and work collaboratively to find
and establish a solution to those gaps as identified. This would include meetings between
Gallatin Project partners, the use of surveys, such as those found at the Office of Justice
Programs, conducting forums with our community.
EXPECTED OUTCOME is improved response to victim needs and ensuring that newly
identified gaps in service are being addressed.
Timeline and Tasks:
Mo Assign to: Task
1 Project Director Upon notice of funding award, Director will conduct meeting with
Gallatin Project Consortium (GPC) 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/SACC Ensure Legal Advocate is trained and in place to assist victims
1 Gallatin County Ensure Criminal Justice Advocate is hired and in place to assist
victims
1 SACC/HAVEN Ensure CE-CCR Associate is trained and in place and duties
assigned
1 CCR Associate Identify and educate all partners on access to hearing and language
translators
1 ALL Review existing brochures and education materials to determine
needs 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 being
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
4 LE Identify and purchase specific audio and video recording
equipment.
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4 ALL Complete semi-annual report
4 ALL Identify advanced training needs for LE, Prosecution and Advocate
for attendance in months 5-12, as training available
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.
21 City/Gallatin Co Ensure hiring material is prepared and advertising done to hire
additional Criminal Justice Victim Advocate
21 HAVEN Ensure Program Manager is prepared to assist in year 3 of project.
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County/ HAVEN
Hire additional Criminal Justice Victim Advocate and assign
Program Director to assist in legal advocacy.
Year 3 Complete similar schedule as listed for months 1-12, year one.
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’ve 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.
• MSU campus community.
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As soon as funding is made available, the Project Director will identify specific training
opportunities available through OVW for FY’s 2014-2016. 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.
As soon as training is received in any of the above areas, we will work with the Community
Education Specialist and VOICE Director to develop training modules. Training modules will be
practiced and tailored to specific audiences. Teaching aids such as brochures, Power-Point
presentations, posters, etc. will be developed in coordination with the module content. All
training will include post-session evaluation by participants.
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
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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.
• 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 or 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
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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 meeting the client’s additional 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 the 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 increase 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.
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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.
Funding is requested for a share of a full-time Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault
Prosecutor assigned to the City of Bozeman. Having a prosecutor focused primarily on domestic
violence related cases provides immediate and focused response to officers, victims, and
advocates as new domestic violence cases arise. The City of Bozeman’s commitment to sustain
this project in coming years is demonstrated by the City’s current 50% match. By the end of
FY16, the City will assume full pay for this position.
Funding is also requested for a 65% share of a Legal Advocate assigned to HAVEN. An
additional 25% match to the Program Manager is requested in year three to help with anticipated
additional legal advocacy needs and the opening of the new municipal court/police facility. Both
the Legal Advocate and Program Manager will provide assistance in obtaining orders of
protection, assist with training and education and coordinate with other Gallatin Project
members. Both the Legal Advocate and Program Manager will complete OVW domestic
violence and sexual assault training programs, as available, and attend all training provided by
the Gallatin Project on laws affecting victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
Our current Legal Advocate and Program Manager have been serving in their positions for
nearly three years.
As with the prosecutor, we have hired an additional Criminal Justice Victim Advocate to
focus on advocacy for victims where their cases generally involve prosecution and/or law
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enforcement involvement. This Criminal Justice Victim Advocate will provide advocacy and
coordinate victims’ services for all victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence
and stalking who either contact the City or County directly or are referred by another member of
the Gallatin Project. This Criminal Justice Victim Advocate will complete OVW domestic
violence and sexual assault training programs, as available, and attend all training provided by
the Gallatin Project on laws affecting victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
Our current criminal justice advocate has been serving in this position for two years. Currently,
Gallatin County and the City of Bozeman pays 50% match for the position. By the end of FY16,
these agencies will assume full pay for this position.
We are adjusting a current full time Community Education position to 50% education and
50% Coordinate Community Response duties, or a CE-CCR Associate. We anticipate a more
central, focused person to ensure our team can better communicate, share resources and complete
products or policy changes that improve or affect the entire team. As a team, we have already
received some specialized training and policies regarding Coordinated Community Response and
how to improve upon existing practices. We currently have a person serving in this role, who
has two years experience on our team in education. In the community education role, this
position will assist with the development of all training and education modules, help ‘trained
trainers’ with presentations, export training throughout Gallatin County, and serve as the primary
presenter for community outreach and advocacy.
Each agency already has at least one representative serving in a liaison role, with the
newest additions to the Gallatin Project coming from the Bozeman Deaconess Hospital and
Belgrade Police Department. Every partner agrees to attend OVW-sponsored training, when
available, and incorporate technical assistance to develop best practices and improve protection
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of survivors. Every partner will help to coordinate the development and implementation of
policies, protocols and procedures for the enhanced protection of victims of Domestic Violence,
Sexual Assault, Dating Violence and Stalking.
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. The Gallatin Project hopes to address these fears by using
education to create a “no wrong entry” model. Our anticipated outcome is: Regardless of where
or how an Immigrant or LGBTQ victim seeks help they will be treated with dignity, respect and
cultural sensitivity. It is additionally 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 common understanding of the situation and to implement common response. Towards
this end we propose to:
• Train disciplines on Immigration-safe resources to ensure each discipline understands
local, state, and federal policies regarding information sharing about immigration.
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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, respected
and having their needs met.
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BUDGET NARRATIVE
The City of Bozeman is requesting $550,941 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. If awarded, funds will be used to provide and enhance direct services to victims of
violence throughout Gallatin County, MT, sustain and increase staffing, conduct training and
provide community outreach. Line-item justification is as follows:
--A. Personnel: A total of $37,632 is requested to fund salary of a Domestic Violence/Sexual
Assault Prosecutor. This is based on an in-kind match of direct funding by the City of Bozeman
with the grant paying a decreasing amount of 30%, 20% and 10% for each year. The ultimate
goal is to ensure local government can plan and secure long-term funding, regardless of future
DOJ grant opportunities. The City has established hourly rates for the Prosecutor at $29.56/hour
with anticipated increases of 3% for each subsequent year. The City currently has a prosecutor
hired and paid partly through Department of Justice funds that will continue to be assigned to
cases directly related to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking. .
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Personnel: Match for Prosecutor (30%, 20%, 10% ) $18,444 $12,665 $6,523
Total Personnel: $37,632
--B. Fringe Benefits: A total of $8,655 is requested to fund fringe benefits of a DV/SA
Prosecutor. This prosecutor will receive all benefits available to City of Bozeman employees.
Fringe benefits are 26.95% for the DV/SA Prosecutor, with a similar matching 30%, 20%, and
10% request for grant funding is included in this budget, with the remaining funds paid by direct
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funding. Fringe is calculated at Heath Insurance (11.69%), PERS (6.90%), FICA (7.6%),
Unemployment (.35%), Worker’s Compensation (.35%) and Life Insurance (.06%).
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Fringe: (only for City employees)
Match for Prosecutor (30%, 20%, 10%) $4,242 $2,913 $1,500
Total Fringe: $8,655
--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, one prosecutor, one legal advocate, one Victim Advocate and one Community
Education-Community Coordinated Response Associate. Included is one training in Washington
D.C. for project administrator on grant administration.
--D. Equipment: We have identified a need for cameras and audio recorders for officers
throughout Gallatin County to document witness and victim statements and properly photograph
injuries for related prosecution and investigation purposes. These will be provided to law
enforcement agencies throughout Gallatin County, including those in Bozeman, Belgrade,
Manhattan, West Yellowstone and Gallatin County. The recorders being purchased represent
Travel: (only for City employees) OVW-mandated Training and Technical Assistance Location TBD
Airfare $601 (average) X 6 people X 1 trip
$3,604
Lodging $204 (average) X 6 people X 4
nights X 1 trip
$4,896
Per Diem $50 (average) X 6 people X 5
days X 1 trip $1,500 3 City, HAVEN, SACC and Gall County Total Training: $10,000
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less than 1/3 of the total recorders needed, with in-kind purchases done of remaining recorders
by each respective agency. This is representative that only 1/3 of total crimes handled by law
enforcement are specific to domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault. Belgrade in particular
is in need of 15 body worn video cameras that capture statements and video at the time of the
incident, with West Yellowstone in need of 8 smaller cameras. Belgrade anticipates that these
cameras will be used for all criminal responses, of which approximately 1/3 are domestic
violence, stalking or sexual assault. They will in-kind purchase 10 of the 15 cameras
accordingly. These statements and video have proven to be invaluable in court proceedings.
Three higher grade cameras are needed for close up photography, particularly victim injuries,
faint bruising or difficult to capture redness from injuries for rural communities of Belgrade,
Manhattan and West Yellowstone.
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
50 audio recorders @ $60/each
$3,000
35 cameras @ $150/each
$5,250
Nikon D3200 Digital SLR camera w/lenses $2,700 MUVI wearable digital video cameras 5 @ $125/each $ 625 Total Equipment $11,575
--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 are
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 10 phones/cards @ $50 each per year.
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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 $500 $500 $500
Total $3,988 $3,988 $3,988
Total Supplies $10,344
--F. Construction: No funds for construction are requested and no construction activities are
included in the project.
Construction:
Total Construction: $0.00
--G. Consultant/Contract: Total amount: $472,735
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. A small
amount of funding to provide emergency meals is also included in this calculation. Counseling
is available and provided for primary and secondary victims at $75-$150 per hour rate.
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.
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Our local shelter has either been full or not suitable for victims based on their circumstances or
the gender of their children. This calculation is based on 44 nights at $75/night. We have
conducted expedited testing for those suspected victims of drug facilitated sexual assault. We
anticipate needing to analyze seven tests/year, costing $400/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 been provided for immediate safety, but doesn’t help with longer term safety. This
rate is based on four victims @ $500 per victim per year.
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 $200 $200 $200
Victim Counseling $3,600 $3,600 $3,550
Victim Emergency Child care $500 $500 $500
Victim Emergency Lodging $5,000 $5,000 $5,000
DFSA Expedited Testing $2,800 $2,800 $2,800
Housing Assistance $2,000 $2,000 $2,000
Total all-partners shared contracted services $54,850
Each sub-recipient has costs as follows:
HAVEN (Domestic Violence Advocacy). A total of $74,100 and $19,681 in fringe is
requested to fund portions of three positions for HAVEN. Legal Advocate, Program Director
and Executive Director. A request for 65 percent of the full time Legal Advocate position is
requested with a three percent cost of living adjustment for each additional year. The reminder
of the 35 percent will be paid by HAVEN. The Legal Advocate provides assistance to survivors
in need of protection orders, to include advice, preparation, assistance through the court process
and act as a liaison with law enforcement and other project partners. A request for 25 percent of
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the full time Program Director position is requested in the third year of the grant due to the
relocation of the Municipal Court from the current Law and Justice Complex and anticipated
increase in population served by that time. This position is paid $40,000/year salary and is
consistent with other program director positions in the state. Due to the division of resources our
Legal Advocate’s time will be divided and the Program Director will be providing needed back
up services when the Legal Advocate is required to be in multiple courtrooms at the same time.
A request for three percent of the full time Executive Director position is requested with
HAVEN paying the remainder 97 percent of the positions salary. This position is paid $54,000
per year and is consistent with non-profit executive director salaries across the state. The
Executive Director serves as a liaison role with other users, developing and administering new
polices and protocols, prepares reports, and supervision for Legal Advocate and Program
Director. This equates to 62 hours/year dedicated to this role, with any additional hours provided
by in-kind contribution. Fringe for the legal advocate and program manager is based on
FICA(7.65%); Workers Comp(3.34%); Unemployment(.8%) and Health Insurance(15.5%).
There is no fringe request for the executive director. A small amount of funds are requested for
local travel as the advocate has to be in Belgrade Municipal court at least twice a month which is
a 24 mile round trip, or 576 miles per year. The third year includes an additional five miles per
day travel to the new municipal location, or 1,300 miles per year. The rate used to determine
travel reimbursement was $.565 per mile. $1,000 is asked for a replacement laptop (with
software included) in year 2. $900 total in postage over three years is also being asked for. A
total amount of $5,775 to support the Legal Advocate position with office supplies (copy paper,
toner, pens, folders, business cards, etc), brochures explaining the services provided by the Legal
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Advocate at $1,050 per year and HAVEN and phone and internet service based on $900 per year
and $1300 in year three.
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Legal Advocate (65% match each year) $22,078 $22,740 $23,422
Haven Project Director (25% match - year 3)
$10,000
Executive Director (3% each year) $1,620 $1,620 $1,620
Fringe Total: $5,866 $6,042 $7,773
Laptop replacement with software $1,000 Brochures, mailings, similar community
outreach tools $1,500 $1,500 $1,500
Office supplies $500 $500 $500
Postage $300 $300 $300
IT support $900 $900 $1,300
Total Contracted Services - HAVEN $115,491
SEXUAL ASSAULT COUNSELING CENTER (SAAC) – The Community
Education-Coordinated Community Response Associate (CE-CCR Associate) is a fully funded
by this grant application. Pay is based on comparable pay to similar positions of ability and
responsibility in the state and agreed to by a sub-committee of this project consisting of the
project director, HAVEN Executive Director and SACC Executive Director. Salary is
$15.75/hour with 2% increase in years two and three of the grant. Fringe is based on total of
FICA (7.65%), Health Insurance (9.1%), Worker’s Compensation (.4%) and Unemployment
(.08%). Executive Director is contributing 10% of time to this grant purpose, with that based on
an overall salary of $45,000 and no fringe being requested. An anticipated three percent increase
has been added in for years two and three respectively. The CE-CCR Associate will be traveling
to outlying areas of the County including West Yellowstone six times per year (1200 miles per
year) and throughout the remaining of Gallatin County (50 miles per year) to conduct training
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and education based on $.565/mile. $2,500 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.
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
CE-CCR Associate $32,760 $33,415 $34,083
Executive/Program Director $4,500 $4,635 $4,774
Fringe for CE-CCR Associate $5,700 $5,814 $5,930
Local Travel $1,017 $1,017 $1,017
Brochures, flyers and similar community outreach $2,000 $2,000 $2,000
Office supplies $500 $500 $500
IT Support - 1 laptop or computer through
CONNECT $1,188 $1,188 $1,188 Total Contracted Services - SACC
$145,727
GALLATIN COUNTY – Budget is based on funding for a portion of one advocate who
works in our victim services office with three other advocates. A match to this position’s salary
by OVW funds has helped bring this position into place, based on representative portion of
advocacy done towards the grant purposes. In this grant application we are asking for a match of
30%, 20% and 10% in each year, with our commitment to keep this position permanent at the
end of the grant period. This rate is based on an initial $17.41/hour pay rate, with anticipated
three% increase in years two and three of the grant. An additional advocate will be needed in
year three of the grant, based both on increases in population and a move of our municipal/city
offices to an off-site location. The move will require some immediate advocacy presence.
Funding for this additional year advocate will follow much of the same sustainment approach,
with a 75% match being requested for year one of the position (year three of this grant
application) and a lowered request of non-local funds for subsequent years. Fringe benefits for
these positions include PERS (8.07%), FICA (7.65%), Unemployment (.35%), Workers
Compensation (1.24%) and Health Insurance (24.36%). Supplies include domestic violence
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and sexual assault packets required and necessary for all victims of these crimes throughout the
county. Community outreach and education materials and general office supplies will include
folders, calendars, copier supplies, paper, etc…. IT support to provide necessary technical
support for these two advocates is based on $500 per year the first two years and $1,000 in the
third. Postage is also needed at an estimated 1000 items/year sent out by general mail. Local
travel includes direct service advocacy needs to cities of Belgrade, Manhattan and West
Yellowstone (2,000 miles per year) based on $.565 per mile rate.
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Personnel:
Existing County Advocate (30/20/10% match) $10,864 $7,387 $3,768
Additional Advocate needed in year 3 (75%
match)
$27,160
existing County Advocate Fringe (30/20/10% match) $4,527 $3,078 $1,570
Advocate needed in year 3 fringe (75% match)
$11,317
Brochures, mailings, flyers, etc. $2,000 $2,000 $2,000
Office supplies $500 $500 $500
Total $2,500 $2,500 $2,500
Postage $500 $500 $500
IT support $500 $500 $1,000
Local travel
$1,130 $1,130 $1,130
Total Contracted Services - Gallatin County $82,561
GUARDIAN AD-LITEM – Guardian Ad Litem program puts in a total of 250 hours per
year training volunteer advocates on topics specific to this grant. They are paid an hourly rate of
$21.48 per hour, which is determined by a board of directors. They are not paid any fringe.
They anticipate spending $500/year in paper supplies, toner, etc….
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Share toward GAL Directors
education/training $5,355 $5,355 $5,355
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Office supplies, paper and toner
$500 $500 $500
Total Contracted Services - Guardian Ad Litem $17,565
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 three days per week for the entire grant period. The
most difficult days to ensure a SANE nurse is available each Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This
computation involves $5 per hour per 24 hour period, three days per week (or 156 days per year).
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
On-call for SANE nurses (208 days/year) $18,720 $18,720 $18,720
One tripod for forensic photograph
$380 Total Contracted Services -
Bozeman Deaconess Hospital $56,540
--I. Indirect Costs: No indirect costs are claimed for this project.
Indirect Costs:
Total: $0.00
Budget Summary
Budget Category Amount A. Personnel $ 37,632 B. Fringe Benefits $ 8,655
C. Travel $ 10,000
D. Equipment $ 11,575
E. Supplies $ 10,344 F. Construction $ 0 G. Consultants and Contracts $472,735
H. Other Costs $ 0
Total Direct Costs $550,941
I. Indirect Costs $ 0
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TOTAL PROJECT COSTS $550,941
Federal Share Requested $550,941 Non-Federal (Match) amount $ 0
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