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Receive an update on juvenile diversion programs; Adopt the change in name of the Juvenile Day Reporting Center to the Youth Achievement Center; and Allow for alternative hours of operation
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Director of Probation recommends the Board of Supervisors receive an update on juvenile diversion programs, and adopt the change in the name of the Juvenile Day Reporting Center to the Youth Achievement Center, and allow for alternative hours of operation.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
As the Board is aware, the Department has increased its efforts to divert youth from formal juvenile justice intervention. By partnering with several community-based providers, youth are provided services to address their delinquent behavior. The Department operates three diversion programs: the Juvenile Community Accountability Program (JCAP), the Mentally Ill Offender Crime Reduction program (MIOCR), and the Felony/Misdemeanor Diversion program. The Probation Department contracts with Alternative Restorative Communities to operate its JCAP program, where assigned arbitrators work with the youth and the parent in addressing the delinquent act committed by the youth while holding them accountable for their behavior. The JCAP program also includes a victim restoration component where the youth is able to apologize to the victim for their actions. The MIOCR program focuses on youth with identified mental health needs who are engaged in delinquent activity. An assigned probation officer and mental health clinician work with the youth, school, and parent to provide case management and support to address untreated mental health issues. The felony and misdemeanor programs are geared towards those youth who commit a felony or misdemeanor offense and in lieu of a petition being filed with the Juvenile Court, the youth is offered treatment services and expected to pay restitution to the victim in order to complete the program successfully. As a result of these programs, the number of youth under formal probation continues to decrease.
For youth in need of formal interventions and to more align with the Department’s rehabilitation philosophy, the Department is renaming the juvenile Day Reporting Center (DRC) to the Youth Achievement Center (YAC). The YAC provides targeted interventions and treatment services for youth and families to include substance abuse, mental health, community service, education, and parent support. The Youth Achievement Centers are open in the evenings depending on when group interventions are offered. The YAC in Fairfield is located at the Sullivan Interagency Center, and the Vallejo site is located on Tennessee Street in close proximity to the Department’s Vallejo Office. In order to provide the necessary services to youth and families, the YAC’s will be open primarily from 3:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday. However, the YAC may open earlier to serve those youth who are able to participate in services prior to the end of the traditional school day. In addition to enhanced treatment services, the Department is also entering into a contract with the Solano County Office of Education to provide vocational training opportunities for youth in field services and at the Juvenile Detention Facility (JDF).
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs of the juvenile diversion programs are paid for with a combination of grants and general fund dollars, and the services at the YAC are paid for with grant funds. The costs have been absorbed in the Department’s FY2018/19 Budget. There is minimal impact to the County General Fund. 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 the juvenile diversion programs; however, the alternative is not recommended. The overall success of the diversion program operated through the Probation Department has had a positive impact by reducing the number of youth under formal probation supervision.
2. Not to adopt the change of the Juvenile DRC to the YAC; however, this alternative is not recommended since the structure of the program and the interventions provided support youth achievement. The term DRC suggests a place where youth must attend on a daily basis and can have a negative connotation. Instead the YAC offers services based on the individual needs of the youth and family.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION