TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Amanda Gibbs, Chief Probation Officer
REPORT BY: Ferlyn Buenafe, Probation Administrative Manager
SUBJECT: Introduction and Intention to Adopt an Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 1452 on Establishing a Juvenile Camp in Napa County
RECOMMENDATION
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PUBLIC HEARING - Introduction of Ordinance
Introduction and intention to adopt an Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 1452 and modifying Napa County Code Chapter 2.106 to Title 2 (Administration and Personnel) on establishing a Juvenile Camp in Napa County. (No Fiscal Impact)
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BACKGROUND
In July 2019, Probation established the New Horizons Academy (NHA). This is a juvenile treatment program incorporating evidence-based practices as an alternative to group homes. Groups homes are costly and sometimes not effective in addressing high-risk probation youth. These young people cannot be supervised at home and require structured treatment services.
In January 2020, an Ordinance was adopted adding to the Napa County Code Title 2 (ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL) establishing the New Horizon Academy, a juvenile treatment facility located in the County Juvenile Hall, as a Juvenile Camp Facility for purposes of State funding.
Probation’s Juvenile Camp is being renamed to Skyline Academy from New Horizons Academy to reflect a new program and services. These services are intensive evidenced-based programming; career exploration; vocational skill building; planning and support for housing, employment and continued education; pro social activities and other services with a goal to impact positive change in our youth. Skyline Academy will serve youth ordered into a Camp Program by the Court. This will allow the Department to keep youth in their own community in lieu of placing youth outside of Napa County for a camp commitment. Skyline Academy will be used as a preventative measure from sending youth to a Secure Youth Treatment Facility. A Secure Youth Treatment Facility is a long-term commitment facility for young people who previously would have been committed to California’s Youth Prison System - the Division of Juvenile Justice, before it was closed under SB 823. The Skyline Academy is also the County’s Less Restrictive Program (LRP) for youth who are stepping down from a Secure Youth Treatment Facility.
Skyline Academy will be an option for some Probation youth who otherwise would have been ordered to a Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) out of the County when the program is unable to meet their individual needs. It is Probation’s goal to keep youth local and close to their families whenever possible.
The proposed ordinance amending Napa County Code Chapter 2.106 to Title 2 to change the name of the Juvenile Camp in Napa to Skyline Academy would be effective retroactively to September 3, 2024, when the pilot camp transitioned to a fully operational Board of State and Community Corrections approved camp program. The camp program has been referenced in documents as Skyline Academy since that date.
The Clerk of the Board caused a notice of the proposed ordinance be published in a newspaper of general circulation in Napa County as required by Government Code Section 25124.
PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS:
1. Open Public Hearing.
2. Staff report.
3. Public comments.
4. Close Public Hearing.
5. Motion, second, discussion, and vote on intention to adopt the Ordinance.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
No |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
No |
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Where is it budgeted? |
Not Applicable |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
Not Applicable |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
The name change does not have any fiscal implication; funding streams are not affected. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
The new camp program will not be distinguishable from the old program and documents and court orders referencing the new program as Skyline Academy may need to be revised. |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.