Special Notice / Hearing: None
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: John T. Keene, Chief Probation Officer
Subject: Approval for Acceptance of the Mobile Probation Service Centers Grant Program administered by the Board of State and Community Corrections
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing the Chief Probation Officer or his designee to accept federal funds available from May 1, 2023, to September 30, 2027, in the amount of $956,968 through the Mobile Probation Service Centers Grant Program administered by the Board of State and Community Corrections.
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BACKGROUND:
probation departments to establish mobile probation service centers administered by the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC). These grant funds will allow county probation departments to purchase vehicles, equipment, telecommunications, and other technology needed to operate mobile probation service centers to assist probationers, especially those individuals who are unhoused and struggling with meeting probation requirements.
DISCUSSION:
The San Mateo County Probation Department applied for and was one of the awardees for the Mobile Probation Service Centers Grant Program administered by the BSCC.
The Probation Department has identified 270, approximately 11% of the 2,403 adult clients receiving probation supervision services who are unhoused or whose residence are unknown as of September 2022. Due to their unhoused situation, these clients have failed to meet their probation requirements when compared to other clients on probation. In FY 21-22, 95.1% (58 of 61) of unhoused clients tracked by the Probation Department had unsuccessful terminations compared to 58.8% (87 of 148) of housed clients. Unhoused clients (or those with unidentified addresses) were also more likely to have a warrant for their arrest at 17% (55 of 324) compared to housed clients at 8.3% (188 of 2,272).
In addition to San Mateo County having the third highest housing cost in California, Probation staff have identified apparent mental health issues, and accessing residential treatment and other programs as the top challenges in helping unhoused clients meet their probation requirements.
The Mobile Probation Service Centers Grant Program funding award will be used to purchase, equip, and deploy two vehicles to different community sites on a weekly schedule. These Mobile Probation Service Centers will serve as additional sites where unhoused clients can report to Probation and receive services: orientation, supervision, referrals, and immediate access to available resources and services. Bringing mobile services to the community will help unhoused clients successfully meet their probation requirements, reduce failure to report and other technical violations, and improve outcomes - increasing equity for probationers experiencing homelessness and improving community safety.
This agreement and resolution have been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney’s Office.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE(S):
|
Measure |
Goal |
|
Of the probationers utilizing the Mobile Probation Van, how many successfully terminated their probation terms? |
60% |
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Of the probationers utilizing the Mobile Probation Van, how many received referrals to social services resources (public health benefits enrollment, health and mental health/substance abuse treatment, employment support, domestic violence counseling, and legal assistance)? |
70% |
FISCAL IMPACT:
This resolution accepts unanticipated revenue of $956,968.00 from the BSCC. The term of the grant is from May 1, 2023, through September 30, 2027. There is no Net County Cost.