Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Manager
Iliana Rodriguez, Deputy County Manager
Subject: Community Corrections Partnership FY 2020-21 Competitive Grants
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing:
A) A fourth amendment to the agreement with JobTrain, Inc. increasing the maximum agreement amount by $203,500 for a new maximum agreement amount of $823,500 for a term expiring June 30, 2021; and
B) A fourth amendment to the agreement with Service League of San Mateo County increasing the maximum agreement amount by $95,000 for a new maximum agreement amount of $475,000, for a term expiring June 30, 2021; and
C) A fifth amendment to the agreement with Success Through Education Program increasing the maximum agreement amount by $155,168 for a new maximum agreement amount of $614,136, for a term expiring June 30, 2021; and
D) A third amendment to the agreement with Project READ increasing the maximum agreement amount by $51,500 for a new maximum agreement amount of $206,000, for a term expiring June 30, 2021.
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BACKGROUND:
Since 2012, the County has allocated AB 109 funding for its Community Corrections Partnership (CCP) Competitive Grant Program. These grants are intended to fund community-based innovations, strengthen collaboration in program delivery, and fill identified gaps in services, all with the purpose of improving the successful re-entry of realigned offenders. Community-Based Organizations (CBO) were selected through two (2) Requests for Proposals issued by the County Manager’s Office in 2013 and 2015. These grants have funded numerous services, including: supported transitional housing, supported employment, supported vocational training, wellness recovery services, the partial purchase of a transitional home with Service League, a feasibility study for a County social impact bond, and educational services.
Job Train, Inc. (“JobTrain”), Service League of San Mateo (“Service League”), Success Through Education Program (STEP), and Project READ were recommended for funding in the Spring of 2015 by a multi-departmental review committee. The original agreements with JobTrain, the Service League, and STEP were each amended at various times to increase the agreement amounts and extend their contract terms through June 30, 2020. The original agreement with Project READ was for the term July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018, and was also extended through June 30, 2020.
DISCUSSION:
In early 2017, under the direction of the County Manager’s Office’s Center for Continuous Process Improvement, County departments serving AB 109 (which provides for County supervision of certain current non-violent, non-serious, and non-sex offenders, after release from California State prison) and Unified Reentry clients (i.e., those classified at moderate or high risk of reoffending but not technically AB 109 offenders) underwent a LEAN/Six Sigma review in 2016. The purpose of the review was to assist staff in better assessing in-custody and out-of-custody programming between the Sheriff’s Office, the Human Services Agency, Probation Department, and the Health System for both AB 109 and Unified Reentry clients.
The LEAN/Six Sigma review highlighted the need for a benefit-cost analysis of both in-custody and out-of-custody programming and services to make better determinations about how to invest the County’s limited public safety reimbursement funds. The review also underscored the need for departments to provide Unified Reentry clients with the same type and level of services provided to persons classified under AB 109. As a result of the LEAN/Six Sigma review, the County Manager’s Office issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) in November 2017 for consultant services to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of current County interventions intended to reduce recidivism and increase positive community-based outcomes by realigned offenders and other offenders under probation supervision. As a result of the RFP Process, the County entered into agreement with Research Triangle Institute International (RTI) to conduct the evaluation. The evaluation was completed in late 2019, and, although the outcome of the evaluation was positive regarding the County’s implementation of AB109 and Unified Reentry programming and the collaboration among agencies in providing in-and out of- custody services, recommendations included better data collection, including the transition of all paper records to electronic data formats; protecting staff time to develop and share best practices, including follow-up; using automatic notification to remind clients of resources and behavioral health appointments; and further staff training on working with this often more challenging and resistant population. The County Manager’s Office continues to work with departments to make redeterminations regarding AB 109 and Unified Reentry programming and service levels needed going forward. At this time, services to these populations will continue at the current levels through FY 2020-21, including the subject contracts through the County’s CCP Competitive Grant Program.
JobTrain, Inc.
JobTrain will continue to partner with Community Legal Services East Palo Alto (CLSEPA) to help ex-offenders obtain employment and avoid recidivism. Also working in collaboration with the Probation Department and JobTrain’s employer partners, JobTrain will provide ex-offenders with multiple career pathways based on their individual needs. Depending on the client’s job skill level and education, the client can enroll in full-time vocational training, enroll in GED preparation, work with a Job Developer to find and be placed in employment, and/or obtain free legal services from CLSEPA.
The overall strategy is to help ex-offenders obtain livable wage jobs and the skills that will help them reintegrate into the community, resulting in reduced recidivism rates. A total of 90 clients will be served.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Performance Measure |
FY 2017-18 Actual |
FY 2018-19 Actual |
FY 2019-20 Estimated |
FY 2020-21 Projected |
|
Number of individuals that will benefit from services provided by JobTrain |
90 |
100 |
73 |
73 |
|
Number of individuals enrolled in a full-time vocational training program |
45 |
25 |
25 |
25 |
|
Percent of clients that successfully complete their training annually |
70% |
85% |
70% |
70% |
|
Number and percent of clients served that will be placed in jobs with an average starting wage of $16/hour |
54/60% |
25/34% |
48/66% |
48/66% |
|
Number of clients that benefit from free legal services |
60 |
43 |
25 |
25 |
The Fourth Amendment will extend the term of the Agreement through June 30, 2021, with payments for services during the extended term in the amount of $203,500 for a maximum not to exceed amount under the Agreement of $823,500.
Service League of San Mateo
In coordination with the Probation Department and Service Connect, which will provide referrals, Service League of San Mateo County will continue to provide transitional, temporary housing support and services to persons completing a probationary period under the direct supervision of the County’s Probation Department (either as AB 109 supervisee and/or Unified Reentry) and inmates released from the County’s jail (and referred by the in-custody case managers) who may also be actively receiving mental health and/or substance abuse services. Temporary transitional housing will be provided through Services League’s five (5) available safe and supportive transitional homes. Service League will dedicate a total of six (6) beds for this population.
|
Performance Measure |
FY 2016-17 Actual |
FY 2017-18 Actual |
FY 2017-18 Actual |
FY 2019-20 Estimated |
FY 2020-21 Projected |
|
Number of individuals that will benefit from services provided by the Service League of San Mateo County |
12 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
|
Number of individuals receiving coordinated supportive services through Service Connect and the Service League of San Mateo County |
12 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
|
Percent of clients employed while receiving services |
60% |
70% |
60% |
70% |
70% |
|
Percent of clients that increase their income |
65% |
75% |
65% |
70% |
70% |
|
Number and percent of clients served that are placed in permanent housing following a maximum six-month stay in the transitional home |
6/50% |
8/67% |
6/50% |
6/50% |
6/50% |
The Fourth Amendment will extend the term of the Agreement through June 30, 2021, with payments for services during the extended term in the amount of $95,000 for a maximum not to exceed amount under the Agreement of $475,000.
Success Through Education Program (STEP)
The Success Through Education Program (STEP) will continue to provide educational assessment, advising, seminars, and internships to twenty (20) AB 109 and/or Unified Reentry supervisees. Specific services will include: education assessment and counseling in the area of literacy, development of an Advising Plan, match up with a mentor (STEP graduate) to provide ongoing support to reach Advising Plan goals, and internships for clients who have not secured employment at the end of their STEP experience.
|
Performance Measure |
FY 2017-18 Actual |
FY 2018-19 Actual |
FY 2019-20 Estimate |
FY 2020-21 Goal |
|
Number and percent of clients that establish an educational/vocational Advising Plan |
7/8 - 88% |
10/10 - /100% |
8/9 - /90% |
9/10 - 90% |
|
Number and percent of clients that pursue their educational/vocational Advising Plan goals |
7/8- 88% |
10/10- 100% |
8/10 - 80% |
8/10 - /80% |
|
Percent of clients that do not recidivate within two (2) years from the start of their STEP experience |
100% |
80% |
80% |
80% |
The Agreement has previously been amended four times. The Fifth Amendment will extend the term of the Agreement through June 30, 2021, with payments for services during the extended term in the amount of $155,168, for a maximum not to exceed amount under the Agreement of $614,136.
Project READ
Project READ, a volunteer-based program serving adults, children, and families, will continue to serve up to fifty (50) inmates participating in the Sheriff’s Office ASPIRE program (Access to Services and Programs to Inspire Reentry and Empowerment) at Maple Street Correctional Center. Working in direct collaboration with the Sheriff’s Office Program Services Bureau, Project READ will provide the following services: direct literacy intervention activities, teach the Peacemakers Alliance course focused on the development of critical literacy learning though peace education, conduct basic level and one advanced level Violence Prevention Retreats, provide ongoing assessment, evaluation and reporting of participant curriculum, and post-release education services, such as assistance with the college enrollment process and financial aid.
|
Performance Measure |
FY 2017-18 Actual |
FY 2018-19 Actual |
FY 2019-20 Estimate |
FY 2020-21 Projected |
|
Level of reading gain of participants in the six month Peacemakers Alliance course |
1.7 reading levels (1.7 years of school) |
3.0 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
|
Percent of participants who complete the Peacemakers Alliance course and the Violence Prevention Retreats |
90% |
89.5% |
90% |
90% |
The Third Amendment will extend the term of the Agreement through June 30, 2021, with payments for services during the extended term in the amount of $51,500, for a maximum not to succeed amount under the Agreement of $206,000.
The Resolution and Amendments have been reviewed and approved by County Counsel as to form. The Resolution contains the County’s standard provisions allowing amendment of the County’s fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 per agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The CCP Competitive Grant Program is fully funded with AB 109 funds from the State and has been included in the FY 2020-21 Recommended Budget. There is no Net County Cost.