DATE: January 9, 2018
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Elizabeth Diaz, Public Defender
SUBJECT: Clean Slate Program with Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board Agreement
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Revenue Agreement with the Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board effective upon execution to December 31, 2018 ($45,530); including the following required forms: (1) Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act Assurances and Certifications Standard of Conduct; (2) Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion Lower-Tier Covered Transactions; and (3) a Signatory Authorization form; and
2. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing the FY 2017-18 appropriations and estimated revenues in the Public Defender Org 2880 in the amount of $22,765 (4/5 vote).
REPORT
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The recommended agreement will allow the Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board to compensate the Fresno County Public Defender for services rendered to their clients effective upon execution to December 31, 2018. Services for clients include post-conviction relief in such areas as family law issues related to child support and driver license suspensions in order to remove barriers to employment. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may choose not to authorize the agreement, which will result in the Public Defender not receiving additional funding from the Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board for the Clean Slate Program to advance the health and well-being of low-income individuals in Fresno County.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions, as funding is provided by the Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board (FRWDB). The Budget Resolution will increase appropriations and estimated revenues in the Public Defender Organization 2880 for FY 2017-18 in the amount of $22,765, with the remaining $22,765 budgeted in the FY 2018-19 Recommended Budget. The Department will utilize Extra-Help staff to implement the program.
DISCUSSION:
The FRWDB serves as a catalyst to mobilize and integrate all private and public partners to effectively educate, train and place individuals with the necessary resources and skills to fulfill employer needs. They offer a dynamic and comprehensive workforce investment system through their Workforce Connection One-Stop centers.
On November 14, 2017, your Board approved the receipt of grant funding from The California Endowment, which allowed the Department to initiate the Public Defender’s Clean Slate Program. The Clean Slate Program is a reentry program that will assist indigent persons in obtaining post-conviction relief in addition to helping them connect to services that facilitate healthcare, employment and housing access. The recommended agreement will provide additional funding for this program.
If your Board approves the recommended agreement, the Department will utilize the additional funding from the FRWDB to fund an Extra-Help Defense Attorney to manage the program including all aspects of operations, training, and applicant assistance. Extra-Help staff is being utilized due to the one-year funding term of this grant.
The recommended agreement will allow the Department to contract with the FRWDB to provide legal services to their clients pertaining to post-conviction relief in such areas as child support in arrears and driver license suspensions in order to remove barriers to employment. Program participants can receive services via weekly personal consultations.
This agreement differs from the County's model contract in that it contains a mutual hold harmless clause. This has the effect of making each party responsible for losses arising from their own negligent or wrongful performance, or failure to perform. The mutual hold harmless clause has been reviewed by Risk Management and deemed to be acceptable for this agreement between public entities.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #44 November 14, 2017
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board
On file with Clerk - Resolution (Org. 2880)
CAO ANALYST:
Samantha Buck