Title
Resolution to Support Funding for the Guilford County Family Justice Center and Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate an Agreement With Guilford County
Body
Department: Police
Council District: All Districts
Public Hearing: N/A
Advertising Date/By: N/A
Contact 1 and Phone: Anita Holder, 373-2450
Contact 2 and Phone: Wesley Reid, 373-2002
PURPOSE:
Nationally, law enforcement, non-profit and social service agencies respond to a significant number of family violence calls for service. The City of Greensboro is a strong advocate of governmental and private efforts to stem the tide of violence against those victims by providing support services or enforcement and prosecutorial actions.
BACKGROUND:
The Guilford County Family Justice Center is a new public safety community initiative launched as a collaborative approach to fighting family violence. Guilford County, in partnership with many area non-profits, private sector resources and law enforcement agencies, is working toward streamlining services provided by the various entities into a singular location. The location will provide victims centralized access to services to support, prevent and intervene in family violence situations. The Guilford County Family Justice Center is envisioned to be a one-stop shop that will serve as a help center for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child maltreatment and elder abuse. The Family Justice Center model is an evidence- based approach used in a growing number of communities across the United States and internationally. The United States (US) Department of Justice views the Family Justice Center model to be a best practice approach in responding to domestic violence and abuse (FJCA, 2009a). Rates of family violence locally are very high (including 11 domestic violence-related homicides in 2013 in Greensboro), and establishing a Family Justice Center in our community is an important step in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children, families, and vulnerable populations in our community.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Guilford County requests support in the amount of $250,000 for renovation costs for the Family Justice Center to be located at 201 S. Greene Street. This is a one- time funding request is to assist with facility upgrades and will include designated space for use by the Greensboro Police Family Victims Unit in support of the Family Justice Center partnership. The County is responsible for ongoing building maintenance, repairs, upgrades and utilities of the facility. Greensboro Police will utilize existing department funds or seek grants to fund or offset the County requested match of funding for this community initiative. No additional funding is requested at this time.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
Staff recommends adoption of the resolution in support of the Family Justice Center facility renovations and authorizing the City Manager to negotiate an agreement with Guilford County that will not exceed $250,000. The Family Justice Center will build on existing partnerships among a diverse set of agencies and organizations in Guilford County once established.