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Approve a contract with Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Sacramento for $1,666,751 to provide mental health jail re-entry services through the Exodus Project for the period October 3, 2023, through September 30, 2026; Delegate authority to the County Administrator to execute the contract and any subsequent amendments, with County Counsel concurrence, up to an annual aggregate of $74,999; and Authorize the Sheriff, Undersheriff, and Director of Administrative Services to execute contract amendments which are technical in nature
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Sheriff recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve a contract with Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Sacramento for $1,666,751 to provide mental health jail re-entry services through the Exodus Project for the period October 3, 2023, through September 30, 2026;
2. Delegate authority to the County Administrator to execute the contract and any subsequent amendments, with County Counsel concurrence, up to an annual aggregate of $74,999; and
3. Authorize the Sheriff, Undersheriff, and Director of Administrative Services to execute contract amendments which are technical in nature.
SUMMARY:
The Sheriff’s Office worked with General Services, Central Services - Purchasing Division (Purchasing) to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) on March 8, 2023, for Mental Health Jail Re-Entry Services. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Sacramento, CA (St. Vincent de Paul) was selected from this competitive process and awarded the contract to provide evidence-based mental health assessments, jail “in-reach”, in-custody case management, re-entry planning, comprehensive community-based case management, linkage, and referral services to the mild to moderately mentally ill population in Solano County correctional facilities. The target population to be served under this RFP are male and female inmates incarcerated in the three Solano County jail facilities based on mental health information.
The Sheriff’s Inmate Program Manager has developed mental health jail re-entry services and a continuum of services plan to assist and direct an inmate throughout the process. The proposed services are critical to re-entry success and are in support of the Sheriff’s and County’s goal of reducing recidivism rates. Therefore, the Sheriff is recommending the Board approve the contract for $1,666,751 with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Sacramento for the period October 3, 2023, through September 30, 2026.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The cost of the proposed three-year contract is $1,666,751, which includes $131,246 for a three-month novation period, the estimated costs for FY2023/24 are $337,974. Costs for the remaining term of the contract will be included in future fiscal year’s Requested Budgets.
The total contract cost is funded through a combination of Mental Health Service Act (MHSA) funds, dedicated Proposition 172 Public Safety sales tax revenues and the County General Fund. MHSA funds will fund the entire cost for housing assistance and fifty percent (50%) of all remaining costs, with the balance funded by Proposition 172 and County General Fund. The Sheriff’s FY2023/24 Working Budget includes sufficient appropriations including the related Operating Transfer-In from Health and Social Services for the MHSA funding; therefore, Board action will result in no additional impact on the County General Fund for FY2023/24.
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the Sheriff’s FY2023/24 Working Budget.
DISCUSSION:
The Sheriff’s Office continues its efforts to provide mental health services to the inmate population through evidence-based mental health assessments, jail “in-reach”, in-custody case management, re-entry planning, comprehensive community-based case management, linkage, and referral services to the mild to moderately mentally ill population. St Vincent de Paul will provide engagement, assessment, comprehensive re-entry planning and intensive case management services prior to and after release, to the mental health population in Solano County correctional facilities. Services to be provided under the contract are expected to decrease the potential for individuals to relapse criminal behavior and return to jail upon community re-entry.
St. Vincent de Paul, through the Exodus Project, will offer the above identified services and extensive resources for men and women coming out of incarceration and returning to the Solano County area. In addition, linkages and referrals provided by this project include emergency housing, transitional housing, employment, transportation, clothing, and phones, as well as referrals to substance abuse and mental health counseling and medical services.
The Exodus Project takes a holistic approach, emphasizing human dignity, self-awareness, and community engagement. Through this lens, it will also offer an evidence based mentoring program. Research has found that the use of mentors with lived experience serves to stabilize individuals in the community and leads to a reduction in recidivism. Mentors offer non-judgmental listening, encouragement, and support. Mentors also offer practical support and encouragement with worldly affairs, including the procurement of housing, healthcare, employment, faith community involvement, and education. Rooted in the teachings to care for the least among us, Exodus Project aims to be a bridge of support and compassion during the tenuous transition from incarceration back into the community. Beginning during the last weeks/months of incarceration, mentoring continues for six months post-release.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors could choose not to approve the contract; however, this alternative is not recommended as the proposed services are critical to re-entry success and this vendor was selected through a competitive RFP process.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
General Services, Central Services - Purchasing Division administered the RFP and County Counsel reviewed and approved the contract as to form.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION