Governor Signs Assemblymember Cathleen Galgiani's bill that would bring funding to Stanislaus Family Justice Center

Stanislaus County CA. - Stanislaus County experiences a 25% greater rate of domestic violence calls than the state average and a 50% higher rate for child welfare referrals. More than 2,000 elders reported being abused and more than 3,000 domestic violence calls were received by law enforcement in 2009. The Stanislaus Family Justice Center is a new one-stop center to help victims of family violence/abuse.

AB 1770 (Galgiani) is a bill that would permit the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors to authorize an increase in the fees for vital records of $2 per record and to annually adjust that amount for inflation. Those fees could then be used to support the work of the services provided through the Stanislaus Family Justice Center (SFJC).

"We are thrilled the Governor signed this important piece of legislation," stated Assemblymember Cathleen Galgiani, the author of AB 1770. "Funding is desperately needed for these vital services and those who are victims need to know there is help, even in their darkest hour."

"The Board strongly believes in the work of the new Stanislaus Family Justice Center," stated Jeff Grover, Chairman of the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors. "We are extremely thankful to Assemblymember Galgiani, the Governor and all of the supporters of this legislation that will make a positive impact at the local level."

The SFJC project will offer a dynamic and proven new approach by housing a multi-disciplinary team of professionals under one roof. This approach will reduce the number of times victims have to re-tell their story and will greatly decrease the number of places they have to travel to for assistance.

This approach is similar to Family Justice Centers operating in locations like San Diego, Tacoma, Washington and New Orleans, Louisiana.. Partners include local law enforcement agencies and non-profit organizations such as the Haven Women’s Center. A co-located team will be based in a 9,300 square foot building located in downtown Modesto which is on the main bus line and close to the courts, the District Attorney’s Office and several other support services. The Center is scheduled to open on October 22, 2010.

Richard W. Robinson
Chief Executive Officer
1010 10th Street, Suite 6800, Modesto, CA 95354
P.O. Box 3404, Modesto, CA 95353-3404
Phone: 209.525.6333 Fax: 209.525.4033