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Adopt a resolution authorizing the Solano County Probation Department to participate in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance’s (BJA) FY 2020 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program; and Authorize the Chief of Probation or his designee to execute Grant Agreement Number 2020-VD-BX-1622 with the OJP for the program effective July 1, 2020 through January 31, 2022 in the amount of $58,008
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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. Adopt a resolution authorizing the Solano County Probation Department to participate in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance’s (BJA) FY 2020 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program.
2. Authorize the Chief of Probation or his designee to execute Grant Agreement Number 2020-VD-BX-1622 with the OJP for the program effective July 1, 2020 through January 31, 2022 in the amount of $58,008.
SUMMARY:
The Solano County Probation Department submitted a grant application in response to the BJA Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program Solicitation FY 2020 formula grant to provide funding to assist states and local units of government in preventing, preparing for, and responding to the coronavirus. Funds can be used to cover operational needs such as overtime pay, hiring, purchase of equipment or supplies, training, travel expenses and addressing medical needs of detainees related to the coronavirus.
Grant funds in the amount of $58,008 have been awarded to the Solano County Probation Department to assist in responding to the coronavirus pandemic. The department operates a 24-hour per day, 7 days per week Juvenile Detention Facility (JDF). To minimize exposures to the coronavirus/COVID-19 within the JDF, $38,646 (67%) will be spent on purchasing Seal Shield Electroclave cabinets that will disinfect and sanitize mobiles devices and other high-touch objects. The remaining $19,362 (33%) will be used to cover overtime and extra help related expenses. The funding period will be July 1, 2020 through January 31, 2022.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The funding will be used to cover 100% of the cost of the Seal Shield Electroclave cabinets. There is no additional impact to the County General Fund for the funding period.
DISCUSSION:
On March 4, 2020, Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency as California faced a life-threatening pandemic caused by the coronavirus/COVID-19 virus. In response, on March 17, 2020, the Solano County JDF Leadership Team met with Solano County Public Health to review operations and protocols under the current COVID-19 guidelines and social distancing efforts. With concerns of the infectiousness of the coronavirus, JDF incurred additional overtime costs to cover staff leave and absences.
The JDF is centrally located in the city of Fairfield and is a 24-hour per day, 7-days per week facility and receives bookings from all areas of the county. Currently, the JDF operates four housing units, whereby, youth are separated by age, risk level, criminal sophistication, and individual needs. Each unit is set up to ensure operational functionality and responsiveness to the detained youth. On a daily basis, programming and operations within JDF generate potential risk for exposure to the coronavirus, as youth are provided with educational and programming opportunities that rely on the use of technology, such as handheld mobile devices and laptops. Staff who provide supervision to the youth use handheld radios, keys and handcuffs throughout their shifts. These items need to be disinfected and sanitized, sometimes several times per day, to ensure the JDF can minimize exposures to respiratory pathogens including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus/COVID-19.
The acquisition of the four Seal Shield Electroclave cabinets will assist JDF in disinfecting and sanitizing mobile devices and other high-touch objects preventing the potential spread of germs including COVID-19. Using the Seal Shield Electroclave cabinets to disinfect areas and high-touch devices within the facility is the most efficient method to fight against viruses and bacteria using available technology.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors could choose not to approve the grant award and explore other ways to provide daily sanitary and disinfectant cleaning at JDF. This is not recommended, as this grant allows for and provides the means to clean equipment on-site for immediate use when necessary while not impacting the General Fund.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION