Since 1997 POST has applied for, and been the recipient of, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grant funds to develop and present domestic violence and sexual assault training to peace officers and public safety dispatchers.  The grant originates from Federal funds provided to California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) who serves as the distributor and grantor of record. 

The grant has historically been administered by a POST management fellow from a law enforcement agency.  The fellows were responsible for all administrative work and course development.  POST contracted with San Diego Regional Training Center (SDRTC) to present the courses, paid SDRTC in response to their invoices and was then reimbursed from the grant quarterly.  

Each year of the grant POST was required to make an in-kind match of 33.333% of the total grant amount through Letters of Agreement (LOA) for all Subject Matter Expert (SME) meetings, instructor travel for the course presentations and Training Reimbursement Requests (TRR) for the students attending.  This ranged from $120,000 to $150,000 depending on the actual grant amount.

In FY 2012-13 and FY 2013-14 staff opted to add the administrative responsibilities and costs to the SDRTC contract.  This was based on a severe staff shortage at POST and challenges with the state regulations regarding the ability to contract for the personal services of a law enforcement management fellow.

For FY 2014-15 POST was advised by CalOES that there are new and extensive requirements for the application of grant funds.  POST would be required to meet a minimum of four times a year with a designated advisory council who would be minimally tasked with:

·       Discussing additional representation needed on the Council
·       Provide input on the training needs identified from the field
·       Make recommendations for expert trainers
·       Discuss trends seen in training evaluations and implications thereof
·       Discuss opportunities for cross-promotion of special training initiatives
·       Discuss potential outreach strategies
·       Review curriculum materials
·       Assist with revisions to the curriculums
·       Assist POST to develop a written outreach plan that exceeds normal outreach efforts
·       Assist POST to develop and advertise scholarships for law enforcement

SDRTC staff indicated they would be willing to apply for the grant, however, as a non-profit; they would not be able to meet the in-kind match requirement.  SDRTC requested POST enter into an operational agreement, allowable under grant regulation, which would permit POST to assist SDRTC by contributing to the in-kind match.  POST would make this contribution, as in the past, by reimbursing travel and per diem for instructors and students.

Staff does not believe it would be in the best interest of the Commission to attempt to meet the requirements of the grant as the sole grantee for FY 2014-15.  This would put a substantial staffing and financial burden on POST convening an advisory council four times a year, and cause POST to enact policies and practices contrary to established procedures. 

By entering into an operational agreement with SDRTC, POST would contribute to the FY 2014-15 in-kind match in an amount not to exceed $130,000 for instructor and student reimbursement.  This arrangement will ensure that the program and the POST-developed training will continue to be available to law enforcement professionals at no cost. 

After review by the Commission’s legal council the Executive Director approved this agreement. 

SDRTC is currently in the process of applying for the FY 2014-15 VAWA grant funds.