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Board approves Cal OES grant renewal to fund underserved victim‑advocacy services
Summary
The Board authorized the district attorney to apply for and accept a $196,906 California Office of Emergency Services award to support outreach and victim advocates for underserved communities and rural areas; DA staff said the program covers roughly 2,400 cases and will help station advocates in sheriff and local agency offices.
The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Nov. 4 to adopt a resolution authorizing the district attorney to apply for and accept renewal funding from the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) for an underserved victim advocacy and outreach program in the amount of $196,906 for the period Jan. 1–Dec. 31.
Assistant district attorney and team members described the program as focused on victims who are difficult to reach or who live in rural communities. “Right now it’s over 2,400 cases — about 600 new cases and 1,800 returning victims,” a DA representative said, noting the grant supports dedicated victim‑witness advocates stationed with the sheriff’s office and that the program improves early‑case outreach and services.
Gabrielle Warrighi, who works with the program’s advocates, said placing advocates in local law enforcement agencies enables earlier intervention. “The earlier we get the case, the better it is for the victim,” Warrighi said, describing work in Manteca, Lathrop and Ripon.
Board members praised the leverage the grant provides and noted the county match multiplies available services; the item had been moved from the consent calendar for discussion and the board then approved the resolution by a 5–0 vote.
What’s next: The DA’s office will complete grant paperwork and continue program expansion plans, including efforts to station advocates in additional South County locations.
