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Board preserves one‑time boost for gender‑based‑violence programs; advocates urge restoring full base funding
Summary
Supervisors approved a staff recommendation to augment gender‑based‑violence contracts by $550,000 one‑time and then voted to protect an additional $1.95 million by adding it to the budget’s adjustment package; service providers said the funds are life‑saving and urged long‑term restoration.
The Board of Supervisors approved an administrative recommendation June 9 to add $550,000 in one‑time funding for community gender‑based‑violence (GBV) services, and later directed that an additional $1.95 million be accounted for in the revised reduction package to preserve service levels while the county finalizes broader budget adjustments.
Why it matters: Providers told the board the funding is essential to maintain emergency shelter, hotel stays, non‑fatal‑strangulation exam advocacy, legal advocacy and direct financial assistance for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. Several advocacy agencies said cutting the county contribution would force them to reduce or suspend life‑saving services.
Public testimony: About a dozen nonprofit leaders, survivors and advocates described immediate consequences if funds were reduced: loss of emergency shelter beds, fewer advocates to accompany survivors to exams, a reduction in crisis‑response capabilities during major events and fewer case‑management hours. Speakers included representatives of Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence, Community Solutions, YWCA Silicon Valley, Asian Women’s Home and others.
Board action and votes: The board first approved the administration’s recommendation to add $550,000 in one‑time funds to GBV contracts (item 14). When the board later debated the countywide object‑2 reduction package, supervisors moved to add $1.95 million to protect GBV services; the package passed 4–1. Administration said the restoration will be accomplished by adding the amount to the overall adjustment and asking departments to identify compensating reductions.
Administration and compliance: Staff said the county’s District Attorney Office victim services and other county units backstop systems statewide but that community‑based agencies are the primary providers of shelter and survivor advocacy. Administration also said it would monitor grant compliance and contract performance during any extension or contract reprocurement.
Next steps: Supervisors requested administration to identify how the object‑2 adjustments will be implemented without eliminating essential shelter and advocacy; they asked for transparency about which departmental cuts will be proposed in the fall to offset the restoration.
