Posting Language
Title
Approve a resolution authorizing the submission of an application to, and the acceptance of grant funding from, the Office of the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division to continue the Legal Advocacy for Violent Crime Victims Project. Funding: $120,842 is available from the Office of the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division. A City funding match of $30,211 is required and available in the Operating Budget of the Austin Police Department.
Body
Lead Department
Austin Police Department.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $120,842 is available from the Office of the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division for the project period of October 1, 2026 - September 30, 2027. A City funding match of $30,211 is required and available in the Austin Police Department’s (APD) Operating Budget.
For More Information:
Kachina Clark, APD Victim Services and Employee Wellness Division Manager, Austin Police Department, (512) 974-8548.
Prior Council Action:
September 25, 2025 - Council approved Resolution No. 20250925-049 accepting funding to implement the Austin Police Department's Legal Advocacy for Crime Victims Project.
Additional Backup Information:
The Office of the City Manager reviewed this grant for alignment as directed by Resolution No. 20200611-096 and recommends approval.
This action will provide the resolution required by the State’s Criminal Justice Division to apply for $120,842 in grant funding. The project period is October 1, 2026 - September 30, 2027. A 20 percent ($30,211) City match is required and will be met by accounting for the salaries of existing Victims of Crime Act-scoped personnel.
State funding will allow the City to continue to employ two temporary court advocates to provide services and assistance directly to victims of crime to speed their recovery and aid them through the criminal justice process. Services include accompanying a victim to prosecutor offices and court; transporting a victim to participate in a proceeding; and, facilitating interpretation for a non-witness victim who is deaf or hard of hearing, among other services as needed.
The grantor requires a resolution approved by the governing body that addresses items 1-6 below:
1. Authorization by the governing body for the submission of the application to the Office of the Governor that clearly identifies the name of the project for which funding is requested;
2. A commitment to provide all applicable matching funds;
3. A designation of the name and/or title of an authorized official who is given the authority to apply for, accept, reject, alter, or terminate a grant (Note: If a name is provided, the applicant must update the resolution should the official change during the grant period.);
4. A designation of the name and/or title of the financial officer who is given the power to submit financial and/or programmatic reports or alter a grant on behalf of the applicant;
5. A written assurance that, in the event of loss or misuse of grant funds, the governing body will return all funds to Office of the Governor; and
6. Listing the grant number: 5379802