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June 16, 2026
ITEM TITLE
Grant Award and Appropriation: Accept and Appropriate Grant Funds from Cal OES for the Law Enforcement Specialized Units Program
Report Number: 26-0188
Location: No specific geographic location
Department: Police
G.C. § 84308 Regulations Apply: No
Environmental Notice : The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution accepting grant funds in the amount of $203,142 from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and appropriating funds to the Police Grants Section of the Federal Grants Fund for the Law Enforcement Specialized Units Program. (4/5 Vote Required)
SUMMARY
The City has been awarded $203,142 from California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services through the Law Enforcement Specialized Units Program. The Police Department will use the grant funds for the operation and administration of the Domestic Violence Response Team.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed activity has been reviewed for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and it has been determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change in the environment. Therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
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DISCUSSION
The Police Department submitted a grant application in October 2025 to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (“Cal OES”) for its Domestic Violence Response Team (“DVRT”). On April 17, 2026, the Police Department was approved funding from the Cal OES Law Enforcement Specialized Units Program in the amount of $203,142 for the grant period of January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026.
The Police Department and SBCS Corporation (“SBCS”) have partnered for nearly 30 years to reduce domestic violence, beginning with the establishment of the DVRT in 1997. The DVRT provides a continuous 24/7 response to 911 domestic violence calls, supported by SBCS’ bilingual advocates, who respond on-site within 20 minutes and follow up within 48 hours, as neede d. During immediate responses, advocates meet police officers or investigators at the incident location to provide crisis intervention, conduct a risk and safety assessment, and coordinate immediate safety measures for the family. The following day, a day team advocate connects with the victims to conduct a more comprehensive Family Well Being Assessment and intake process, identifying needs and coordinating resources such as shelter, counseling, and additional services through SBCS or partners. In cases in volving children, cross-reporting occurs to Child and Family Wellbeing (formerly Child Welfare Services).
In addition to DVRT, Police Department collaborates with SBCS on initiatives such as Domestic Abuse Forensic Exams, multidisciplinary team case meetings, and the South Region DV Coalition. This partnership extends to coordinated responses and resource sharing, enhancing capacity to address the complexities of domestic violence cases.
Additionally, the City contributes to funding SBCS shelters, which supports ongoing assistance for families in need. Through these collaborative efforts, the Police Department ensures that victims and their families gain access to a wide range of services offered by SBCS. Further, Police Department and SBCS work closely with the San Diego County District Attorney’s Victim Witness Assistance Program for legal advocacy, Center for Community Solutions for rape crisis services, the County of San Diego Child and Family Wellbeing as well as other local social service agencies in or der to provide victims with a continuum of services to meet their needs.
The Police Department , together with SBCS, was also previously a participant in the Law Enforcement Specialized Units Program, reflecting a longstanding commitment to supporting domestic violence victims in the Chula Vista community . With SBCS as a key partner, the Police Department provides families in Chula Vista with streamlined, multi-layered support that goes beyond immediate intervention and extends to long- term assistance.
With 15,204 calls for service ( “CFS”), Domestic Violence ( “DV”) is the 3rd most common type of call for service in Chula Vista. 2025 aggravated assault cases are up 3% compared to the prior 3 -year average.
Approximately 37% of all aggravated assault cases in Chula Vista are DV related. Sixty-four percent (64%) of the DV CFS in Chula Vista are dispatched to western Chula Vista sectors, a predominately low -income area.
A substantial portion of DV CFS involve repeat offenders & victims, and recurrent addresses. Between 2022 and October 2025, 35% of DV related cases resulted in an obvious injury.
Since the inception of the DVRT, the City has experienced a downward trend in rates of domestic violence, yet DV is still a huge issue within the community. The current program could benefit from the following:
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Expanded training for officers/investigators on the specialized needs of victims and their families; More effectively coordinated response to DV calls in order to prevent the escalation/lethality of incidents;
Revised protocols to ensure a consistent response to violations of protective orders; Increased advocacy for victims, through an enhanced partnership with the District Attorney’s Victim Witness Program and SBCS;
Expansion of the number of DVRT advocates to in crease available response and reduce follow -up response time;
Concentration of resources, services and supports (through an expansion of collaborative efforts with service providers), in western Chula Vista, where DV rates remain high; and Continuation of the tracking and analysis of repeat incidents, in an effort to reduce their occurrence.
With the grant funding from the Cal OES Law Enforcement Specialized Units Program and continued partnership with SBCS Corporation, the Police Department will strengthen efforts and provide more comprehensive support to DV victims in the Chula Vista community.
The Cal OES Law Enforcement Specialized Units Program is a 3-year grant cycle, in which funds are awarded on an annual basis. This award covering calendar year 202 6 is Year 2 of the 3 -year grant cycle. When the City receives award notice of calendar year 2027 funding, the Police Department will seek Council acceptance of the additional funding.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site-specific and consequently, the real property holdings of the City Council members do not create a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act. (Gov. Code, § 87100, et seq.) Staff is not independently aware and has not been informed by any City Council member of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision-maker conflict of interest in this matter.
CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this resolution will result in the acceptance of $203,142 in grant revenues from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, along with appropriations of $196,359 to Supplies and Services and $6,783 to the Other Expenses category of the Police Grants section of the Federal Grants Fund for fiscal year 2025-26. Funding from Cal OES will completely offset these costs, resulting in no net fiscal impact to the General Fund.
A detective assigned to the Family Protection Unit (FPU) will fulfill the 25% match requirement of the grant.
The personnel costs of the FPU detective are already included in the General Fund fiscal year 2025-26 budget.
No additional appropriations are needed for the 25% match.
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Grant expenditures for this program are summarized in the table below.
DESCRIPTION FY 2025-26
Subcontract with SBCS Corporation $196,359
CVPD Indirect Cost $6,783
TOTAL GRANT COSTS $203,142
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
Continuing services for the DVRT Program beyond December 31, 2026 , is contingent upon additional grant funding from Cal OES to support the program.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
Staff Contact: Dan Peak, Acting Chief of Police
Jonathan Alegre, Police Administrative Services Manager