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Approve the acceptance of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) FY24 Arts Programs for Justice-Involved Youth Grant in the amount of $50,000 for the period of October 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 to develop and implement a high-quality, therapeutic arts programming; Delegate authority to the County Administrator, pending County Counsel concurrence, to execute the FY24 Arts Programs for Justice-Involved Youth grant agreement and any subsequent amendments, up to an aggregate of $74,999 per fiscal year; Authorize the Chief Probation Officer to make grant amendments which are administrative or technical in nature; and Approve an Appropriations Transfer Request recognizing $50,000 in unanticipated revenue offset by grant appropriations (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. Approve the acceptance of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) FY24 Arts Programs for Justice-Involved Youth Grant in the amount of $50,000 for the period of October 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 to develop and implement a high-quality, therapeutic arts programming that not only promotes personal development but also reduces anxiety and supports each youth’s capacity for individual change;
2. Delegate authority to the County Administrator, pending County Counsel concurrence, to execute the FY24 Arts Programs for Justice-Involved Youth grant agreement and any subsequent amendments, up to an aggregate of $74,999 per fiscal year;
3. Authorize the Chief Probation Officer to make grant amendments which are administrative or technical in nature; and
4. Approve an Appropriations Transfer Request recognizing $50,000 in unanticipated revenue offset by grant appropriations (4/5 vote required).
SUMMARY:
In April 2024, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) opened a solicitation (Attachment A) for the FY24 Arts Programs for Justice-Involved Youth (Arts Program). The Arts Program is intended to support and strengthen collaborations between arts-based organizations and the juvenile justice system to develop, expand, or enhance promising and effective interventions that offer justice-involved youth access to high-quality arts programs. By engaging youth in creative and culturally relevant activities, the program will work to reduce juvenile delinquency, recidivism, and other high-risk behaviors.
The Solano County Probation Department was awarded $50,000. With these funds, Solano County Probation will launch the “Today’s Future Sound” Project, the program description is included as Attachment B, which will provide both in-custody and out-of-custody youth with a 12-week workshop featuring therapeutic and social interventions through music. This project is part of the Solano County Probation’s Therapeutic Beat Making Arts Program, designed to serve justice-involved youth through culturally relevant and effective interventions.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The Arts Program Grant does not require any matching funds; however, the grant budget does include in-kind matching funds for county staffing to run the program. As this program is going to be part of the Solano County Probation’s Therapeutic Beat Making Arts Program, there will be no additional General Fund cost. Funding will be used to cover the proposed activities in the grant budget (Attachment C). An Appropriations Transfer Request recognizing $50,000 in unanticipated revenue offset by grant appropriations is needed in order to recognize and spend the funds.
DISCUSSION:
In April 2024, the US Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) opened a solicitation for the FY24 Arts Programs for Justice-Involved Youth (Attachment A) that seeks to support and strengthen collaborations between arts-based organizations and the juvenile justice system to develop, expand, or enhance promising and effective interventions that offer justice-involved youth access to high-quality arts programs. By engaging youth in creative and culturally relevant activities, the program will work to reduce juvenile delinquency, recidivism, and other high-risk behaviors. OJJDP defines justice-involved youth as those who are involved in court-ordered diversion programs, in detention, correctional, or other residential facilities, or on probation due to a delinquency finding by juvenile court.
OJJDP envisions a juvenile justice system centered on the strengths, needs, and voices of youth and families. Young people and family members with lived experience are vital resources for understanding and reaching persons involved or at risk of involvement with youth-serving systems. OJJDP asks stakeholders to join in sustainably integrating bold, transformative youth and family partnership strategies into daily work. OJJDP believes in achieving positive outcomes for youth, families, and communities through meaningful engagement and active partnerships, ensuring they play a central role in collaboratively developing solutions.
The Solano County Probation Department is proud to be one of the five awardees of the 2024 OJJDP Arts Program for Justice-Involved Youth funding. As part of this initiative, Solano County Probation will launch the “Today’s Future Sound” Project, the program description is included as Attachment B, which will provide both in-custody and out-of-custody youth with a 12-week workshop featuring therapeutic and social interventions through music. This project is part of the Solano County Probation’s Therapeutic Beat Making Arts Program, designed to serve justice-involved youth through culturally relevant and effective interventions.
The program’s mission is to develop and implement high-quality, therapeutic arts programming that not only promotes personal development but also reduces anxiety and supports each youth’s capacity for individual change. The Department will pilot two Therapeutic Beat Making workshops, using music as a tool to foster personal growth, cultural connection, and emotional well-being.
With the grant funding, the Department will offer this programming at both the Juvenile Detention Facility (JDF) and the Youth Achievement Center (YAC). These programs will incorporate culturally responsive, therapeutic, and social interventions, providing participants with both academic and social-emotional benefits. Music will serve as a framework to teach history, geography, digital literacy, cultural diplomacy, and collaboration. Additionally, youth will gain hands-on experience with studio-quality equipment and develop real-world digital music production and media skills, empowering them with tools for their future success.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors could choose:
1. Not to approve the acceptance of the grant award and explore other ways to fund programming that incorporates culturally responsive, therapeutic, and social interventions for justice-involved youth. This action is not recommended, as this grant allows the Department to support such programming.
2. Not to authorize the County Administrator to sign and submit the grant proposal and accept the grant award of $50,000. This action is not recommended as the services provided through the Arts Grant will provide programming that has both academic and social-emotional benefits for justice-involved youth.
3. Not to authorize the County Administrator, pending County Counsel concurrence, to execute the Arts Grant 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 the grant agreement and any amendments prior to execution.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION