SSN-RC-2021-035 - Proposed Sole Source to Center for Safety & Change- Domestic Violence Advocate

The County of Rockland is considering the issuance of a Sole Source award to Center for Safety and Change, Inc. for the provision of a Domestic Violence Court Coordinator/Advocate to residents of Rockland County.

This award may be made on a sole source basis in accordance with the Rockland County Procurement Policy.

TERM: January 1, 2021- December 31, 2021

Program/Services:

14. Center will accept domestic violence referrals from Probation and assist internal clients and callers to Center’s hotline seeking assistance with family offense, custody, and other Family Court petitions.  Under attorney supervision, advocates will draft the petitions, email them to the Family Court Clerk and arrange for immediate access. 
14. Advocates will accompany victims seeking temporary order of protection to immediate access appearances, accommodating both in person and remote hearings whether the petition has been prepared by Center or Probation.  
14. Advocates will provide safety planning and connect victims to relevant services, including therapy, support groups and children’s service. 
14. Advocate will remain available to provide court accompaniment whether the victim is represented by Center or outside counsel.

14. Advocates may accompany clients to local justice courts after hours, which can sit as family courts and grant orders of protection.  The new addition to the program will increase victim safety and expand current program services. 
14. Center will be available to provide advocates to accompany victims to hearings at the Justice Courts in Clarkstown, Ramapo, Spring Valley, Haverstraw and Orangetown, as well as the Integrated Domestic Violence and Family Treatment Courts. 
14. Center will accept referrals from any of these courts to provide direct services including but not limited to advocacy, counseling and supportive services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.  The coordinator will also locate culturally competent liaisons to work with clients that are either not English-speaking or those who speak English as a second language. 

14. Specialized domestic violence courts are designed to improve and enhance victim safety and defendant accountability, and to protect victims of domestic violence by strengthening the responsiveness of the criminal justice system and victim service agencies to victims of domestic violence.  The collaboration between Probation and Center will provide victims with advocacy, safety planning and services at the onset of the process, thereby enabling victims to create a safety plan which might include changing locks and sweeping electronic devices, going into shelter, obtaining transportation to stay with a friend or family and creating strategies for safely going to and from home, work, children’s schools and so forth.  Further victims reporting fear of their abuser being present in court during proceedings will be provided with an advocate present to stay behind with the victim, seek the intervention of a court officer if necessary and ensure the abuser has left the Court vicinity thereby further enhancing victim safety both inside and outside the courthouse.

14. Coordinate Community Response:

13. • • IDV-Integrated Domestic Violence Court
      • Clarkstown Domestic Violence Court
      • Orangetown Domestic Violence Court
      • Haverstraw Domestic Violence Court
      • Spring Valley Domestic Violence Court
      • Ramapo Domestic Violence Court
    • The coordinated community response includes the New York State Unified Court System, County District Attorneys, Center for Safety & Change, Probation, Law Enforcement, Civil Attorneys, and Matrimonial Bar. 
    • Stakeholders meeting:
      • • A coordinated community response involves increased information sharing, communication and coordination among criminal justice agencies and community based social services.
        • A consistent and collaborative response to domestic violence; more opportunities to continue to provide education and training on domestic violence for law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, court personnel and other agencies. 
        • The Chief Program Officer or the Chief Operating Officer will be present at these meetings, which ensures an ongoing dialogue which is of the utmost importance in the way the courts run.
14. Dedicated Judge:

14. On-going Monitoring:

14. Provide advocacy, including the drafting and filing of family court petitions, and accompaniment of victims to probation, court, police departments and other case related social service and criminal justice agencies.
14. Provide safety planning and counseling to victims.
14. Attend IDV court calendars, and court calendars in Justice Courts that have a domestic violence docket.
14. Attend all stakeholders meeting for the following courts: Integrated Domestic Violence, Clarkstown, Haverstraw, Spring Valley, Ramapo, and Orangetown.
14. Maintain confidential records of services provided to victims.
14. Accurately prepare reports requested by Probation and report at Stakeholders meetings.
14. Provide translation/interpretation when necessary.
14. Case consults with advocates for cross reference and follow-ups.
14. Act as a liaison and point person with: Judges, District Attorneys, Probation Department, Police Departments, Public Defenders, and court personnel. 
14. Answer hotlines and update Apricot (client database) daily.
14. Check Apricot triggers for follow up and referral.
14. Attend all Advocate meetings and mandatory staff trainings and use best practices.
14. Connect victims to support and empowerment groups hosted by Center.

• Be a 501 (c)3
• Be governed by a Board of Directors
• Be up-to-date with all IRS filings
• Be up-to-date with all NYS filings
• Have a 2021 budget with Board approval
• Be fiscally sound
• Have a Non-discrimination Policy
• Have a Conflict of Interest Policy
• Maintain program records for the purpose of an audit and provide to the County all program-related information including proprietary materials, upon request
• Submit quarterly and year end reports, including number of persons served, service units and results of performance outcomes, as required.