To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Jason Siers, Chief Deputy District Attorney, District Attorney
Prepared By:
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Sara Overby, Management Analyst, Board of County Commissioners
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Subject:
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DOJ Grant Opportunity: Training and Services to End Violence and Abuse Against Individuals with Disabilities and Deaf People Program
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
The purpose of this request is for the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to consider approving the electronic submission of a grant application to the U.S. Department of Justice by the Office of the District Attorney, and authorizing the District Attorney of the 18th Judicial District and/or the Chair of the Board of County Commissioners to sign any necessary documents related to the Grant Agreement, if awarded, acceptance of funds, and closing of the Grant.
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Alignment with Strategic Plan: Safe and Healthy Communities - Enhance victim services and support for survivors that have been harmed by crime.
Background and Discussion: Arapahoe County is submitting a grant application on behalf of the District Attorney’s (DA) Office to the U.S. Department of Justice for Training and Services to End Violence and Abuse Against Individuals with Disabilities and Deaf People Program for $600,000.
The purpose of the Disability Grant Program is to provide training, consultation, and information on domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sexual assault, and abuse by caregivers against individuals with disabilities and Deaf people and to enhance direct services to such individuals.
This grant aims to increase responsiveness on the part of law enforcement to individuals who, through no fault of their own, often find themselves lacking access. Though law enforcement has made great strides in accessibility for many constituent communities, there remains a significant space where improvements can be made in terms of outreach and services provided to those constituents with Intellectual Delays/Disabilities, and those Deaf/Hearing Impaired. This grant aims to provide additional training/resources to law enforcement partners focused on responsiveness to the specific situations of victims of crime who are IDD, or Deaf/Hearing Impaired.
The District Attorney’s Office will be partnering with Developmental Pathways and Sungate Kids.
The deadline to apply for this grant is September 23, 2025. Decisions related to this grant are expected by October 1, 2025. The grant period lasts 36 months.
Alternatives: The Board could decline to move forward with this request as presented or determine another amount.
Fiscal Impact: If approved as presented, the fiscal impact to Arapahoe County will be a small amount of staff time to appropriate any grant funds received and to oversee the use of funds by the DA’s Office.
Alignment with Strategic Implementation Strategies: The attached framework helps Arapahoe County institutionalize values-based, transparent decision-making, documenting how we make decisions and carry out actions to achieve the county’s strategic plan.