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Accept the Office of Youth and Community Restoration Less Restrictive Program Grant in the amount of $1,400,000 from the Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR) for the grant period of February 1, 2024 to February 1, 2026; Authorize the County Administrator, pending County Counsel concurrence, to execute the OYCR agreement and any subsequent amendments, with County Counsel concurrence, up to an aggregate of $74,999 per fiscal year; Authorize the Chief Probation Officer to make contract amendments which are administrative or technical in nature; and Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request in the amount of $700,000 in unanticipated revenue offset with grant expenditures (4/5 vote required)
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Published Notice Required? Yes _____ No __X___
Public Hearing Required? Yes _____ No __X___
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Chief of Probation recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1. Accept the Office of Youth and Community Restoration Less Restrictive Program Grant in the amount of $1,400,000 from the Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR) for the grant period of February 1, 2024 to February 1, 2026;
2. Authorize the County Administrator, pending County Counsel concurrence, to execute the OYCR agreement and any subsequent amendments, with County Counsel concurrence, up to an aggregate of $74,999 per fiscal year;
3. Authorize the Chief Probation Officer to make contract amendments which are administrative or technical in nature; and
4. Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request in the amount of $700,000 in unanticipated revenue offset with grant expenditures (4/5 vote required).
SUMMARY:
OYCR solicited California counties to apply for funding to demonstrate successful transition for youth from Secure Youth Treatment Facility (SYTF) placement to Less Restrictive Programs (LRP). Solano County responded and submitted the work-plan, budget and other materials and was awarded this grant funding. Grant funds are expected to be used to support the identified youth in their transitions to LRP and community living status, specifically to include income support, housing costs, transportation, education, and vocational programs, and needed supportive services. This grant is provided to support the transitions youth from SYTF to LRP settings over a two-year period. The individual transitions to LRP status are subject to judicial approvals.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The funding will be used to cover 100% of the proposed activities in the grant award agreement, therefore there is no additional impact to the County General Fund. The funding is for a maximum of $700,000 per year for a two-year period, with a maximum of $1,400,000.
DISCUSSION:
On September 30, 2020, California Governor, Gavin Newsom, signed Senate Bill (SB) 823, which made fundamental changes to California’s Juvenile Justice System. Senate Bill 823 prohibited most new admissions to California’s Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) beginning on July 1, 2021. Prior to SB 823, juveniles adjudicated of an offense found in Section 707(b) of the Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC), which are the more serious crimes including murder and rape, could have been committed to DJJ. In addition to prohibiting further commitments, SB 823 established the Juvenile Justice Realignment Block Grant program for the purpose of providing County-based custody, care, and supervision of youth who were realigned from DJJ or who would have been otherwise eligible for a commitment to DJJ prior to its closure.
On May 14, 2021, Governor Newsom signed SB 92, which amended Section 736.5 of the WIC and formally established a closure date for DJJ on June 30, 2023. SB 92 added a new article, Secure Youth Treatment Facilities (SYTF), to the WIC, setting forth a new, local dispositional option for youth, who are adjudicated of an offense that would have resulted in a commitment to the DJJ. The SYTF in Solano County is operated within the County’s existing Juvenile Detention Facility to house the youths that would have previously been committed to DJJ.
In July 2021, SB 823 established the Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR) within the California Health and Human Services Agency. The role of OYCR is to guide the transition from state-run youth incarceration to county care by identifying and sharing best practices to help inform rehabilitative and restorative youth support and offering technical assistance to advise those in the space on how to achieve outcomes and system improvements for youth across the justice system.
On June 1, 2023, OYCR released an invitation for letters of interest to award a small number of grants to county probation departments and community partners to demonstrate innovative approaches to assist youth in Secure Youth Treatment Facilities to transition to Less Restrictive Programs (LRPs). Funds in the range of $100,000 to $200,000 per youth to be served for a 24-month period were available to support a combination of strategically targeted services to transition an identified population of youth from SYTF placement to the community, in stages through LRPs, and evaluate success.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors could choose:
1. Not to approve the acceptance of the grant award and explore other ways to fund the transition to less restrictive programs. This action is not recommended, as this grant allows the Department to support the identified youth in their transitions to LRP and community living status.
2. Not to authorize the County Administrator to sign and submit the grant proposal and accept the grant award of $1,400,000. This action is not recommended as the services provided through the OYCR are anticipated to provide necessary support and assistance identified youth in their transition to LRP.
3. Not to authorize the County Administrator, pending County Counsel concurrence, to execute the OYCR agreement and any subsequent amendments. This action is not recommended as it would reduce flexibility and timeliness in completing the scope of work outlined in the grant.
4. Not to authorize the Chief Probation Officer to execute future contract amendments which are administrative or technical in nature. This action is not recommended as it would require the Department to request approval for routine matters.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel will review and approve the grant agreement and any amendments prior to the County Administrator signing.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION