TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Amanda Gibbs, Chief Probation Officer
REPORT BY: Ferlyn Buenafe, Staff Services Manager
SUBJECT: Agreement with Aldea Children and Family Services
RECOMMENDATION
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Chief Probation Officer requests approval of and authorization for the Chair to sign Agreement No. 230081B with Aldea Children and Family Services for a maximum of $262,000 for the term October 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, to provide therapeutic school-based services to high-risk juvenile court wards and minors.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Aldea provides an array of services to at-risk youth and minors on probation and therapeutic and support services. These services include mental health counseling to youth referred to the Juvenile Evening Reporting Center, counseling and intervention services to high-risk juvenile wards attending Chamberlain High School and the Juvenile Hall.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
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Where is it budgeted? |
Probation, 14200-00 |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
This action is discretionary in that there is no mandate to have this specific agreement. The County receives funding for this Agreement through the Youthful Offender Block Grant (YOBG), Juvenile Probation Funding (JPF), the Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act (JJCPA) and is under contract with the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) to provide an array of services to support a broad spectrum of probation services targeting at-risk youth, juvenile offenders, and their families. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
Yes |
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Future fiscal impact: |
The Agreement has an automatic renewal provision for one (1) succeeding fiscal year that allows the County the option to continue these services. Appropriations will be budgeted accordingly in the future fiscal year. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
If the Agreement is not approved, the Department is not able to fulfill its obligation with the BSCC to provide treatment services to at-risk youth. |
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County Strategic Plan pillar addressed: |
Collaborative and Engaged Community |
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.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Aldea has the resources and expertise to provide substance abuse prevention, assessment, intervention and treatment services for Juvenile youth. The Agreement contains the following services:
Aldea provides for a .80 FTE Case Manager to work with high-risk juvenile wards providing behavioral health support at the Evening Reporting Center (ERC). The ERC is open on weekday evenings Monday through Thursday and provides supervision and programs for juvenile offenders in a highly structured and well-supervised setting during after school hours that seem to be the high-risk time for juvenile crime. On Friday, it is social night staffed by Aldea. An estimated 50 youth will receive services in Fiscal Year 2022-2023. Funding for this portion of the Agreement is provided utilizing State funds from the Youth Offender Block Grant (YOBG) and Juvenile Probation Funding (JPF).
A .80 FTE Therapist to work with high-risk juvenile wards attending Chamberlain High School and youth placed in the Juvenile Hall. The purpose of the therapy is to prevent more restrictive placements of the wards served. The Therapist provides services during the school year and continues services to the wards and their families during the summer months. This program serves youth on probation and is considered a best practice in changing the way youth behave. Funding for this portion of the Agreement is provided using funds from JPF.
ERC staff is provided training on Cognitive Behavior Change. This addresses the importance of understanding individual learning styles, and using activities, games, and small groups to enhance the learning process. Funding for this portion of the Agreement is provided by State funds from the Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act (JJCPA).
JPF and JJCPA funds are part of the Local Law Enforcement Services Account. Under the Realignment plan. Funding for various local safety grant programs such as JPF and JJCPA are shifted directly to local government to be used for the same purposes as specified in local statutes. JPF and JJCPA provides services to youth who are either in Juvenile Hall, on juvenile probation or who are at risk of being in the juvenile justice system.