Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: John T. Keene, Chief Probation Officer
Subject: Agreement with StarVista to Provide Substance Abuse Treatment Services to Clients in the Bridges Program
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with StarVista to provide substance abuse treatment services to clients in the Bridges Program, for the term of July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2021, in an amount not to exceed $401,700.
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BACKGROUND:
Founded in 1999, the Bridges program is an intensive outpatient day treatment program that helps adult offenders with substance abuse problems break the cycle of drug abuse and crime. The program was developed in response to high recidivism rates among adults with substance abuse issues.
The Bridges program consists of three phases, including a graduation phase, to be completed within one year. Participants are expected to attend classes and lectures on resume building and computer literacy as well as individual and group counselling sessions that will help them transition back into the community. The Probation Department provides intensive probation supervision to participants enrolled in the Bridges program. This entails participants meeting with their probation officer at least twice a month, submitting to scheduled and random chemical testing, and appearing before the court on a regular basis.
Bridges staff and volunteers are selected for their special skills in working with the targeted population and are specially trained. The intensive approach to treatment requires small caseloads and strong environmental controls such as drug testing and electronic monitoring. The program’s effectiveness is a function of the commitment exhibited by both staff and participants.
DISCUSSION:
The Probation Department is requesting that the Board approve an agreement with StarVista to provide substance abuse treatment and recovery services to the San Mateo County Probation Department’s Bridges Program through four main components which are as follows: (1) Individual Counseling for dual diagnosis clients; (2) Group Counseling including gender-specific groups; (3) Cognitive-Behavioral Change Classes; and (4) Case Management, Crisis Intervention and Collaboration. In January 2018, StarVista was selected through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process to continue to provide substance abuse education, treatment, counseling, and related services to clients served in the San Mateo County’s Bridges Program.
For over a decade, StarVista (formerly Pyramid Alternatives, Inc.) has been providing counseling services and program delivery of abuse counseling, education, anger management, life skills training and supportive supervision to clients in the Bridges Program. Since 2012, StarVista’s collaborative efforts with the Probation Department has contributed to 72 new clients admitted to the Bridges program and there have been 53% of clients that have successfully graduated from the program.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the agreement and resolution as to form.
Approval of this Agreement contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of Safe Neighborhoods by providing adult offenders with rehabilitative services designed to reduce recidivism.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2018-19 Target |
FY 2019-20 Target |
FY 2020-21 Target |
|
Percent of clients who successfully graduate from Phase I to Phase II of the Bridges Program |
80% |
80% |
80% |
|
Percent of clients whose Addiction Severity Index (ASI) has improved by 75% at graduation |
70% |
70% |
70% |
|
Percent of Bridges Clients that successfully complete Probation |
70% |
70% |
70% |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2021. The total obligation is $401,700 funded 100% with net county cost. $133,900 is included in the FY 2018-2019 Recommended Budget. $133,900 for FY 2019-2020 and $133,900.00 for FY 2020-2021 will be included in future budgets.