DATE: September 9, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Sanja Bugay, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Agreement with Central Valley Justice Coalition (CVJC) for Supportive Services for Youth Impacted by Human Trafficking
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with Central Valley Justice Coalition (CVJC) for the provision of supportive services and education of harm reduction tools to youth impacted by human trafficking and youth at-risk of human trafficking, including victims of both sexual trafficking and/or labor trafficking, effective September 9, 2025, not to exceed five consecutive years, which includes a three-year base contract and two optional one-year extensions, total not to exceed $1,202,055.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action would allow the Department of Social Services to provide services to youth who have been impacted by human trafficking or are at risk of human trafficking. These services are intended to provide youth with support and linkages to appropriate services. The agreement will be offset with State Commercial Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) funding, with no increase to Net County Cost. The item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board not approve the recommended action, supportive services for youth impacted by human trafficking or youth at risk of human trafficking would be interrupted and State allocated funds for this purpose would not be utilized.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. If approved, the maximum cost of the recommended agreement, $1,202,055 will be offset with State CSEC funds. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Org 5610 FY 2025-26 Recommended Budget and will be included in subsequent budget requests.
DISCUSSION:
Human trafficking is a crime that involves the use of force, fraud or coercion to recruit, harbor, transport, provide or obtain a person for the purposes of sexual or labor exploitation. Victims of human trafficking are young children, teenagers, men and women. The trafficking of children results in significant trauma and can interfere with emotional and psychological development. Many human trafficking victims are brought to the attention of Child Welfare Services, the Juvenile Justice Probation Department and/or are in foster care. To support human trafficking victims and those at risk of human trafficking, the Department seeks to provide direct services to these youth and enhance staff training.
A Request for Proposal (RFP #25-065) was issued on March 5, 2025, for the provision of supportive services and education of harm reduction tools to youth impacted by human trafficking and youth at-risk of human trafficking and closed on April 9, 2025. Approximately 91 potential bidders were notified through Public Purchasing. Four replies were received and identified as responsive to the RFP. Those four responses included Central Valley Justice Coalition (CVJC), Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission, North Star Family Center and Stars Behavioral Health Groups. CVJC, Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission and Stars Behavioral Health Group all submitted a cost proposal that met the RFP requirement with bids of $250,000. North Star Wellness Center’s cost proposal exceeds the amount at $253,385.
A five-member review panel comprised of a Division Chief, Social Work Supervisor and Finance Analyst from the Department of Social Services; a Clinical Supervisor from the Department of Behavioral Health; and a Social Service Supervisor from Kern County Department of Human Services reviewed the responses and recommended CVJC for funding. CVJC was considered to be the most responsive and met all the requested services best suited to the County’s needs.
CVJC’s response closely aligned with the RFP, showcasing their strong focus on education and prevention in collaboration with local partners. Their current experience in providing similar services to the community indicates they can effectively address the needs of the target population. They used current, community-progressive language that mirrors DSS terminology, reducing the need for training. They demonstrated expertise in therapeutic services, particularly trauma-informed counseling, and highlighted EMDR therapy, which is effective for human trafficking victims. Furthermore, CVJC demonstrated a deep understanding of the population’s needs, offering non-traditional therapies like expressive arts and somatic healing. They proposed two strategic locations for services, with City Center offering youth access to essential resources and their downtown location as a safe alternative for high-risk individuals.
CVJC demonstrated solid experience in anti-human trafficking services, having partnered with various agencies since 2009. Their strong focus on education, prevention, intervention, and direct services, such as support for mom’s who are victims of human trafficking and youth advocacy, sets them apart. Their current staff is highly trained and well-connected with local human trafficking task forces, further enhancing their capacity to provide effective services.
Approval of the recommended agreement will allow CVJC to provide services to 50 identified human trafficking victims and 100 at-risk youth annually. Services include immediate youth engagement, prevention and intervention training, management of flex funds for individualized prevention and intervention services, and case consultation and training to the Department. The goal of these services is to prevent and/or reduce the likelihood of recurrence of human trafficking situations.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with CVJC
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander