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Receive an update on the collaboration with the Superior Court related to Assembly Bill 1810 (Mental Health Diversion), and Senate Bill 10 (California Money Bail Reform Act); Receive an update on potential grant opportunities to address substance abuse and mental health needs for adults; and Consider a recommendation to extend the hours of the Probation Department’s Centers for Positive Change
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
Receive an update on the collaboration with the Superior Court related to Assembly Bill 1810 (Mental Health Diversion), and Senate Bill 10 (California Money Bail Reform Act); Receive an update on potential grant opportunities to address substance abuse and mental health needs for adults; and Consider a recommendation to extend the hours of the Probation Department’s Centers for Positive Change (CPC).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Department is engaged in a countywide conversation to address Assembly Bill 1810. AB1810 is an omnibus mental health bill that provided for discretionary diversion of qualified person who have committed a crime because of a mental disorder. The conversations are focused on how to appropriately divert those with mental health issues into a program that will address their myriad of needs. The role of the Department, at this juncture, would be to work with the Court, and serve as a facilitator to develop a diversion program in coordination with our partners and treatment providers.
Senate Bill 10, the California Money Bail Reform Act, is also being closely monitored. Although SB10 is officially on hold until the 2020 election, the Department is currently working with a consultant to review staffing needs and complete a staffing analysis in the event the Department is tasked with completing Pretrial Assessment Reports, as outlined in the bill.
The Department is currently reviewing several grant opportunities (Byrne Justice Assistance Grant and Proposition 47) offered through the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) focused on addressing substance abuse and mental health needs for adults. The Department is working with the Court, Health and Social Services, and Sheriff’s Office to determine the most appropriate grant(s) to apply for in order to expand, and offer additional services to deal with a growing substance abuse and mental health population, and will bring these to the Board as appropriate.
While the Department continues to monitor grants and legislation that could impact programs, the Department also continues to provide intensive services to those under jurisdiction that have a variety of needs and present a moderate to high risk to reoffend. To address the ongoing needs of the probation population, the Department has operated the Centers for Positive Change (CPC) in the cities of Fairfield and Vallejo since 2013. The CPC’s provide treatment services to adults to include substance abuse, mental health, educational, employment/vocational and supportive housing. Currently, the CPC’s are open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. To meet the treatment needs of adults under supervision, especially working adults, the Department is requesting that the CPC hours be extended to 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday. The CPC would remain open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday. An extended schedule will allow the CPC’s to offer group interventions to clients who either work or attend school during the day, a key component to recovery and/or re-entry. The current hours of the CPC’s make it difficult to participate for clients who cannot make it to the Centers by 5:30 p.m. Evidence-based selected groups generally follow a minimum of a 1.5-hour curriculum, and offering clients the most flexibility is the best option. Extending the CPC hours also allows for an increase in capacity, therefore serving more clients overall. In order to measure the level of recidivism reduction for adults, the Department will continue its contract with Beyond the Arc (BTA) to provide adult recidivism data.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There will be a slight increase in costs for Sheriff’s Security to extend the hours of the CPC’s. The additional cost for security is estimated to be $15,934 for six months. The annual cost would be $31,868. The additional costs will be absorbed in the Department’s FY2018/19 Budget and will be paid for with AB109 funds. The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2018/19 Adopted Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors could choose:
1. Not to receive an update on AB1810 and SB10 as it relates to the involvement of the Probation Department; however, this alternative is not recommended. It is important to remain abreast of new legislation and mandates, and how changes will impact services and Department operations including staffing.
2. Not to receive an update on grant opportunities; however, this alternative is not recommended. The ability to enhance and increase services is largely tied to available funding. The support of the Board in applying for grants is important.
3. Not to approve the recommendation to extend the hours of the CPC’s; however, this alternative is not recommended since it would impact the number of group interventions that can be offered and the clients that can be served.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION