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DeKalb committee approves no-cost lease renewals for Family Protection Center partners
Summary
The DeKalb County Finance, Audit and Budget Committee unanimously recommended approval of two no-cost lease renewals that secure space for victim-services partners — the Women's Resource Center and Georgia Center for Child Advocacy/International Women's House — at the county'owned Family Protection Center, citing continuity of SANE and forensic services.
The DeKalb County Finance, Audit and Budget Committee voted unanimously to approve two no-cost lease renewals that keep the Women's Resource Center and the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy (together with International Women's House) housed at the county'owned Family Protection Center at 1950 West Exchange Place.
District Attorney Sherry Boston told the committee the Family Protection Center co-locates law-enforcement, medical and nonprofit services — including child forensic interviews and SANE (sexual assault nurse examiner) examinations — so victims can access coordinated services in one centrally located facility. Boston said the center has operated in the space since about 2014'15 and that formal lease agreements were put in place after a 2018 review and a 2020 board authorization for a five-year lease.
Boston said the lease renewals are no-cost to the county and were requested after the Women's Resource Center absorbed operations formerly held by another nonprofit; the renewal brings WRC onto the formal lease so it can continue to deliver on-site SANE services. She described a prior service interruption after a sewer rupture that forced the center to divert DeKalb victims to Fulton County for several months, an outcome county leaders said they wanted to avoid in the future.
Sheila Ryan (Georgia Center for Child Advocacy), Amber Harris (Women's Resource Center) and Drea Hales (International Women's House) joined Boston to answer committee questions about operations, 24/7 hotline response, and the partners' responsibility for their own clinical equipment and technology. Boston confirmed Facilities manages the county property and that partner agencies are responsible for equipment and program-specific needs.
Commissioner Shakira Johnson moved to approve items 13.25 and 13.26; Chair Commissioner Ted Terry seconded and the committee voted in favor. The committee's approval moves the no-cost lease renewals forward to the full Board of Commissioners for final action at the scheduled public meeting.
The committee asked county staff to remain engaged with the partners on any facility or operational issues and to report back if repairs or further coordination are needed.
