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Approve a contract with Leaders in Community Alternatives, Inc. (LCA) for $1,757,759 to provide Youth Development Services for the period of October 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027; 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 Chief Probation Officer to execute any amendments which are technical or administrative in nature
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Published Notice Required? Yes _____ No __X___
Public Hearing Required? Yes _____ No __X___
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Chief Probation Officer recommends the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve a contract with Leaders in Community Alternatives, Inc. (LCA) for $1,757,759 to provide Youth Development Services for the period of October 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027;
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 Chief of Probation to execute any amendments which are technical or administrative in nature.
SUMMARY:
The Probation Department issued a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) in February 2024 (RFP #952-0222-24) to solicit bids from qualified youth-serving organizations to provide evidence-based programs that support Prevention, Intervention and Crime Reduction that will collectively impact the well-being of justice involved youth and contribute towards a reduction in recidivism and positive youth development. Leaders in Community Alternatives, Inc. (LCA) was the best-evaluated proposer that the County is now considering for contract award. The recommended three-year contract provides services from October 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027.
DISCUSSION:
Keeping in mind the County’s commitment to ensuring public safety through the reduction of recidivism by increasing the life skills and competencies of both, in and out of custody individuals, the Request for Proposal (RFP) was developed, in collaboration with General Services, to solicit bids for an evidence-based program that addressed and measured risk, needs, and responsivity of participants with the ultimate goal of providing them with new skills and competencies for sustainable employment, educational advancement, family reunification and recidivism reduction. RFP #952-0222-24 was issued on February 22, 2024. The RFP was posted on the Solano County website and notice was sent to vendors registered on Open Gov.
The County received 3 proposals in response to the RFP. The Proposers were:
1) Moving Mountains Unlimited
2) Victor Community Support Services, Inc.
3) Leaders in Community Alternatives (LCA)
To conduct the proposal evaluation and proposer presentation process, a Panel Evaluation Committee was established and consisted of the following members:
1) Alan Cole, Supervising Probation Officer - Probation
2) Nadia Hollomon, Supervising Probation Officer - Probation
3) Elizabeth Stephenson, Accountant - Probation
4) Jennifer Washington, Probation Services Manager - Probation
The Notice of Intent to Award was posted on the Solano County website on May 2, 2024. LCA was the best-evaluated proposer that the County is now considering for contract award.
Leaders in Community Alternatives
LCA’s mission is to support community safety solutions. For over 30 years, LCA has collaborated closely with public and community partners to provide the necessary tools to break the destructive cycle of recidivism and enhance public safety. Their well-established history of successful model program implementation, including with delinquent youth in California, distinctly qualifies them to fully implement the service delivery model in this proposal.
Youth Development Services will include structured and meaningful community service opportunities, employment skills development, and education support services in both in the community and in custody. LCA will work with participants and Probation staff to identify community service projects.
There will also be a program element offered through an MOU with Triple P - Positive Parenting Program., “Triple P” which will provide various opportunities for parents to learn new skills and enhance their competence as parents. However, this program will do more than enhance skills. Triple P will provide support, feedback, and validation through productive exercises with families and youth. The services Triple P provides in Solano County offer an effective model that actively engages parents and reflects the assumptions of family resource and support programs in keyways: builds on the inherent strength of the parent’s desire to see the quality of life of their children improve, builds on the strength of the loving bond of the parent-child relationship and builds on the strength of the family system.
LCA will deliver evidence-based services that achieve measurable positive outcomes impacting the well-being of justice-involved individuals and contribute to reducing recidivism. LCA’s comprehensive Youth Asset Developmental Framework approach will address the criminogenic factors, determined by Risk/Needs assessments, of local justice-involved youth and align with Solano County Probation’s mission and commitment to protecting the community and minimizing the impact of crimes by providing high-quality professional services for youth and families.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The maximum amount for the contract is $1,757,759 and is funded through State Grants and County General funds. The Probation Department’s FY2024/25 Recommended Budget includes sufficient appropriations to cover the anticipated contract costs. The County’s Standard Contract allows for the County to terminate or amend a contract if funding becomes unavailable during the term of the contract.
The costs of preparing this agenda item are nominal and included in the Department’s FY2024/25 Recommended Budget.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board of Supervisors could choose:
1. Not to award the contract to LCA and direct staff to pursue procurement of services by issuing another RFP. However, this action is not recommended as LCA was evaluated by an independent panel of evaluators and was deemed to be the best qualified proposer after a competitive selection process to provide youth with development services, parenting and family reunification and engagement program and transportation and supportive services.
2. Not to approve the contract and direct staff to consider other options and return with new recommendations. However, this alternative is not recommended as this may cause a delay and/or interruption in providing employment and vocational training services to the participants.
3. Not to delegate signing authority to the County Administrator to execute the standard contract 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 contract.
4. Not to authorize the Chief of Probation to approve and execute any future contract amendments which are technical or administrative in nature. This action is not recommended and is not practical as it would require the Department to request Board approval for routine matters such as minor technical or administrative changes.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has reviewed the Leaders in Community Alternatives, Inc. contract and approved it as to form.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION