Item Description:
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Amds to six Agmts with local agencies to provide victim advocacy, legal representation, and intervention and prevention services for cases handled by the Domestic Abuse Service Center in the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, ext end dates to 12/31/25 and incr combined NTE to $1,916,222
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that Amendments to the following Agreements to provide victim advocacy, legal representation, and intervention and prevention services for cases handled by the Domestic Abuse Service Center in the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office extending the contracts dates from December 31, 2024 to December 31, 2025, and increasing the combined not-to-exceed amounts to $1,916,222 be approved:
• PR00002843 Asian Women United of MN, Amendment 4 increasing the not-to-exceed from $189,201 to $242,501
• PR00002798 Central Minnesota Legal Services (CMLS), Amendment 5 increasing the not-to-exceed amount from $430,743 to $544,421
• PR00002839 Division of Indian Work (DIW), Amendment 4 increasing the not-to-exceed amount from $189,201 to $242,501
• PR00004276 Domestic Abuse Project (DAP), Amendment 3 increasing the not-to-exceed amount from $125,998 to $179,298
• PR00002797 Esperanza United, Amendment 4 increasing the not-to-exceed amount from $375,000 to $465,000
• PR00002842 with SEWA-AIFW, Amendment 5 increasing the not-to-exceed amount by from $189,201 to $242,501; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the total combined funding available for the six contracts shall not exceed $1,916,222; that the department will manage the contract expenditures with this funding allocation; that the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the Amendments on behalf of the County; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse the funds as directed.
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Background:
The Domestic Abuse Services Center (DASC) serves as a place where victims can receive multiple services in one centralized location. DASC may provide services such as advocacy, filing orders for protection, connecting with a prosecution team, and legal consultation and representation from pro-bono attorneys. Additionally, DASC provides intervention and prevention services for those who use abusive behaviors.
Asian Women United of MN and SEWA-AIFW provide culturally specific services. Staff provide advocacy, assist with safety planning and filing Orders for Protection, accompany victims to court, help clients navigate the criminal justice system, and provide referrals to pro-bono attorneys.
CMLS provides legal consultation and representation to victims of domestic violence. CMLS strives to provide culturally responsive and trauma-informed lawyering. Referrals for representation are made by advocates located at DASC with priority given to cases where a respondent is represented by an attorney, where children have been abused, where the petitioner has language and cultural barriers, or the petitioner has other high-risk factors in their case. This resource is offered to all clients regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, income or creed. The collaboration provides equal access to justice under the law.
DIW provides vendor advocacy services focused on the local Native American community. Staff from DIW provide advocacy, assist with safety planning and filing Orders for Protection, accompany victims to court, help clients navigate the criminal justice system, and provide referrals to pro-bono attorneys. In addition, DIW provides health services (doula care, etc.), teen pregnancy prevention and sexuality education, food shelf resources, senior services programing, and domestic violence counseling services.
DAP provides supportive services to end the domestic violence cycle, reduce disparities, and promote healthy families, partners, and parents. Supportive services include creation of non-violence plans and providing education on the negative impact domestic violence and a felony conviction can have on housing, employment, student loans, finances, voting, etc., for themselves, their family and their community. In addition, DAP provides community outreach, engagement, and education regarding domestic violence as well as resource referrals.
Esperanza United is one of four culturally specific and bilingual, bicultural service providers housed at DASC. Vendor advocacy services are focused on serving the Latina and Spanish speaking community. Staff from Esperanza United provide advocacy, assist with safety planning and filing Orders for Protection, accompany victims to court, and help clients navigate the criminal justice system. In addition, they provide referrals to pro-bono attorneys and community resources for programming, basic needs and financial assistance.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval