Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: John T. Keene, Chief Probation Officer
Subject: Agreement with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to house, supervise, and train court-approved youthful offenders at the Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp.
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing the Chief Probation Officer, or designee, to execute an agreement with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to place eligible non-minor wards, only pursuant to Juvenile Court order, to house, supervise, and train court-approved youthful offenders at Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp, effective upon execution through June 30, 2028, in an amount not to exceed $43,086.
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BACKGROUND:
Senate Bill (SB) 823, enacted in 2020, began the phased closure of the California Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and shifted responsibility for the care, custody, and supervision of DJJ-eligible youth to county probation departments.
To serve this population, counties were authorized to establish Secure Youth Treatment Facilities (SYTFs)-local alternatives designed to provide access to rehabilitation, education, treatment, and reentry support in alignment with SB 823. Funding to support these facilities is provided through the Juvenile Justice Realignment Block Grant (JJRBG), also created under SB 823.
To receive JJRBG funding, counties must submit an annual realignment plan to the Office of Youth and Community Restoration by May 1. San Mateo County’s most recent plan-approved by the Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council’s Realignment Subcommittee in April 2025-identifies Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp as a potential community-based program to support vocational training and reentry efforts for SYTF youth.
San Mateo County’s SYTF, known as the Success and Opportunities Aspiring Readiness for Reentry (SOARR) Program, is located at the Youth Services Center-Juvenile Hall. While not all realigned youth are committed to secure track, those who are comprise the population of the SOARR Program.
DISCUSSION:
Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp, located in Amador County and established in 1945, is California’s oldest fire camp for youth. Operated by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and CAL FIRE, it gives eligible, court-approved youth the opportunity to gain firefighting experience, build life skills, and work toward rehabilitation and reentry through hands-on conservation work. The camp provides a structured setting focused on accountability, discipline, and public service. Youth support real wildfire response efforts while gaining valuable experience and a sense of purpose as they prepare to return to the community.
Youth must meet certain criteria to be considered for the program. Participants must be male, between the ages of 18 and 25, physically fit, and willing to take part in a demanding, team-based environment. They also must be wards of the juvenile court, committed to a juvenile facility, and have court approval for their placement. CDCR further screens referrals and may exclude youth with certain disqualifying offenses, such as arson.
Before counties can refer youth to Pine Grove, they must have a contract in place with CDCR. Once an agreement is in place, counties can identify eligible youth-usually those in a SYTF-and work with CDCR to arrange a placement. This resolution would allow the Chief Probation Officer to enter into an agreement with CDCR to reserve three beds at Pine Grove specifically for San Mateo County youth through June 30, 2028. The agreement would be pay-as-you-go, meaning the County would only be charged when a youth is placed at the camp.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
Description |
FY 2025-26 Estimated |
FY 2026-27 Estimated |
FY 2027-28 Estimated |
|
Successful Outcomes |
Number of youthful offenders enrolled in Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp |
3 |
3 |
3 |
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
This agreement supports San Mateo County’s commitment to equity by expanding access to meaningful rehabilitation opportunities for justice-involved youth, particularly those from underserved communities who are disproportionally represented in the juvenile justice system. Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp offers skill-building, vocational training, and a structured, service-oriented environment that can improve long-term outcomes and reduce recidivism. By providing access to this program, the County helps ensure that eligible youth have a chance to gain valuable experience, prepare for reentry, and build a more positive future.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This agreement will be secured through Juvenile Justice Realignment Block Grant (JJRBG) funding. The funds have been included in the FY 2025-27 Recommended Budget. There is no net county cost.