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Committee approves using $175,000 grant for liaison social worker to support victims
Summary
The committee authorized using a $175,000 award from Rep. Rob York's office (over three years) to fund a liaison social worker to provide psychosocial assessments, referrals and follow-up for victims of domestic violence and other crises; committee asked staff to confirm contractor vs. employee classification before finalizing.
The Public Safety Committee voted June 30 to move forward with using a $175,000 allocation from Rep. Rob Yorks office (spread over three years) to fund a liaison social worker to support victims in the county.
An agency official described the proposed arrangement as a waiver to use the grant funds to pay Rebecca Levansky as a contractor providing psychosocial assessments, resource coordination, and individual and group therapeutic support for victims following serious incidents. "This would be a huge thing for us," the official said, noting deputies are often immediately redeployed and do not have bandwidth for extended victim follow-up.
Committee members supported the funding in principle but cautioned about the contractor-versus-employee classification. A finance representative urged staff to review IRS guidance and to consult county personnel ("work with Daniel on personnel") to avoid misclassification. The agency official said the role would initially be funded from the $175,000 allotment and would be managed on a per-diem/fee basis with monthly vouchers not to exceed $3,700.
Why it matters: Committee members linked the need for the liaison role to the DAs earlier report about rising domestic violence caseloads and limited deputy availability for sustained victim services. The grant-funded position is intended to provide direct wraparound support without creating a full-time county employee.
What comes next: The committee moved the item forward and asked staff to review personnel classification and contract language with county personnel and finance. The chair noted the funding is limited: "When the money's done, this is done."
