DATE: February 10, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Kirk Haynes, Chief Probation Officer
SUBJECT: Agreement with Focus Forward for Community-Based Least Restrictive Placement Programming
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with Focus Forward for community-based least restrictive placement programming for youth in the Secured Youth Treatment Facility at the Juvenile Justice Campus, effective upon execution, which includes an approximately two-year base contract and an optional six-month extension, total not to exceed $1,812,503; and
2. Authorize the Chief Probation Officer, or their designee, to make changes to expense category subtotals set forth in the Agreement budget, provided such changes do not exceed ten percent (10%) of the maximum compensation payable to Contractor, and provided such changes do not increase the Agreement maximum compensation.
REPORT
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action, as costs for this recommended agreement are fully funded with the Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR) Least Restrictive Programs (LRP) grant funds. Approval of the recommended actions will enable the launch of new wraparound reentry services for youth in the Secured Youth Treatment Facility (SYTF) at the Juvenile Justice Campus, supporting their transition into LRP settings. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended actions are not approved, the Department will not be able to use its OYCR LRP grant funding as intended and implement reentry services specifically for transitioning SYTF youth into least restrictive settings in the community. If Action Item 2 is not approved, any changes to the expense categories in the budget will need to come back to the Board for approval.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The recommended agreement is fully funded with the OYCR LRP grant. The maximum cost of the recommended agreement is $1,812,503 over the full term. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Probation Department’s Adopted Org 3432 FY 2025-26 Budget and will be included in budget requests for the duration of the terms.
DISCUSSION:
On February 20, 2024, the Board retroactively approved the grant application submission and grant agreement with OYCR for funding to support ten youth in transitioning to a less restrictive environment. The goal is to achieve step-down transitions to LRPs and provide services that support successful community living. Awarded funds must be used to support partnerships with community-based service providers that will help individual youth transition through less restrictive programs and settings. These funds directly assist the youth in meeting their needs after transitioning to home or community living, while still completing their commitment term.
On March 25, 2025, the Board approved the first amendment to extend the term of the grant agreement by two years, from December 31, 2025, to December 31, 2027, and update the points of contact for OYCR. The extension allowed the County to identify vendors through the competitive bid process to fulfill the services required by the grant. The Department is bringing a second amendment to your Board to further extend the grant agreement term to July 31, 2028, in order to ensure services under the recommended agreement are fully funded.
On June 27, 2025, the County issued Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 25-103, which solicited bids for community-based least restrictive placement programming, with a focus on reentry. The RFP closed on August 5, 2025, with four proposals received.
• Community Justice Center, $1,813,210
• Focus Forward, $1,812,503
• North Star Wellness Center, $1,810,579
• Rite Track LLC, $1,812,500
The RFP Evaluation Panel recommended funding Focus Forward’s proposal, finding it the most responsive based on its strong local experience, clear understanding of service needs of the juvenile justice-involved population, and well-designed phased model that supports youth from intake through reentry. Notable strengths included plans to employ youth as trainees within Focus Forward, alignment with its forthcoming California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) Enhanced Care Management services and tattoo-removal program, and the use of evidenced-based tools such as the Children and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment.
Under the recommended agreement, Focus Forward will provide community-based LRP programming with a focus on LRP readiness, reentry and successful reintegration. Core services include restorative programming to promote accountability and healthy relationships; housing assistance to support stable placements after LRP completion; transportation to access required programs; and assistance securing internships, apprenticeships, and employment. Reentry planning will include warm hand-offs to public systems and other community-based organizations to ensure continuity of care. Additional supports such as pre-release engagement, wraparound transition services, technology and vocational training, and barrier-removal assistance will further strengthen long-term outcomes for participating youth.
To facilitate services during pre-release, Focus Forward will have non-exclusive use of approximately 286 square feet of office space at the Juvenile Justice Campus, at no cost as part of the recommended agreement. The modification clause in the agreement and action item 2 of this item delegate the Board’s authority to the Chief Probation Officer or their designee to make non-material changes to the agreement budget. These changes shall not result in any change to the maximum compensation amount.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #34, March 25, 2025
BAI #32, February 20, 2024
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Focus Forward
On file with Clerk - Digital Signature Audit Report
CAO ANALYST:
Fine Nai