Agenda Item Name:
Title
Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) 2019-20 Grant Contract, Waiver of Board Resolution 2014-33 Relating to Contractual Indemnification, and agree to the State owning any Intellectual Property (IP) developed under the contract and thereby waive County IP policy...End
Presenter:
Tom Tonkavich 264-6738
Description:
Request approval of (1) the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) 2019-20 grant contract in the amount of $458,976, (2) the addition of 2.0 FTE's (Victim Advocate Counselor) to Victim Services & Rape Crisis Center, (3) the budget amendment to establish the FY19-20 VOCA Fund in the amount of $458,976 and (4) the inter-fund loan in the amount of $100,000. Article 23 (page 11) of the contract transfers ownership of any Intellectual Property (IP) developed under the agreement to the State of Florida. Additionally, Article 24 (pages 11 and 12) of the grant contract contains language regarding indemnification which if agreed to requires Alachua County to waive its sovereign immunity contrary to Florida State Statute 768.28 (19) and in conflict with Board Resolution 2014-33. Staff asked to modify the agreement and on September 13, 2019, the Office of Attorney General denied the request. A second request for language change is being considered by the Office of Attorney General. If Alachua County agrees to this language its excess insurance would not provide coverage.
The VOCA grant begins October 1, 2019 and ends September 30, 2020. The 2.0 FTE's (new FTE's) will be hired to work with victims of crime who are Spanish speaking. The other ?4.75 FTE's will provide services to victims of crime, including services specific to the program's certified rape crisis center, such as 24/7 access to crisis counseling, advocacy, and accompaniment to the hospital when undergoing a sexual assault forensic exam.
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Request approval of (1) the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) 2019-20 grant contract in the amount of $458,976, (2) t...
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