DATE: July 9, 2019
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Kirk Haynes, Chief Probation Officer
SUBJECT: Retroactive Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program Application
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Retroactively authorize the Chief Probation Officer’s previous submittal of a grant application to the California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) for the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program ($3,136,875).
REPORT
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. A competitive funding opportunity was offered by BSCC on December 6, 2018. Eligibility for these funds is limited to California’s 58 counties. Each county can submit only one application; therefore, the Probation Department is the lead agency for the County of Fresno. The Probation Department seeks to develop reentry case management and supportive services for individuals committed to Fresno County Jail for at least sixty days, male or female, 18-30 years of age, affiliated or previously affiliated with a gang, and with a medium to high risk to reoffend. The goal is to reduce gang activity after release from custody and increase public safety. To meet the grant filing deadline of April 25, 2019, the County’s proposal was submitted contingent upon your Board’s approval. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended action is not taken, the submitted grant application will be withdrawn from consideration for funding.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. If awarded, this grant will provide $1,045,625 each year for three years, and will fund contracted reentry case management and supportive services to facilitate successful reentry into the community for the targeted population both pre and post-release from custody. The grant application also includes funding for a Deputy Probation Officer (DPO) to collaborate with and monitor the contractor in addressing the participants’ needs and ensuring their progress. Over the course of the grant term, which is October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2022, total funding for the JAG Program will be $3,136,875. There is no match requirement for this grant application. If the grant is awarded, a Salary Resolution adding one DPO and a Budget Resolution to increase FY 2019-20 appropriations and estimated revenue in Probation Org 3432 will be brought to your Board for approval.
DISCUSSION:
As required by the grant and to determine how this funding opportunity can best serve our community, the Probation Department invited traditional criminal justice partners, other County departments, faith-based, and community-based agencies, and convened the “Local JAG Steering Committee”. The Committee includes representation from the following Fresno County Departments: The County Administrative Office, Behavioral Health, District Attorney, Public Defender, Probation, Sheriff, and Social Services. The Committee includes the following non-County agencies: Center for Peacemaking at Fresno Pacific University, Centro La Familia, Cultural Brokers, Fresno Housing Authority, Fresno Superior Court, Project Rebound at Fresno State, and Valley Missions Jail Ministry. After consideration of the funding eligibility parameters, the Committee identified the community need and designed a proposal to provide reentry case management and supportive services to individuals, both male and female, aged 18-30, committed to the Fresno County Jail for a minimum of sixty days, affiliated or previously affiliated with gangs, and with a medium to high risk to reoffend.
Increased gang activity affects public safety with increased crime, graffiti, drug, and human trafficking. Incarceration has a significant impact on the inmate’s family and children, as well as on public costs for incarceration. The proposed program is aimed at preparing participants for life after incarceration so they can lead productive lives and not reenter the criminal justice system. Services will start while the participant is serving their sentence in the Fresno County Jail and a minimum of sixty days prior to release. The case manager, in collaboration with the DPO, will conduct assessments to identify the individual’s needs and develop a case plan to address those identified needs. Additionally, the case manager will assist participants to obtain any essential documentation, such as a photo ID or Driver’s License, complete applications for health insurance and other assistance programs. The highest priority will be to arrange for housing, employment, and other stability issues for when participants are first released from custody. Other pre-release services offered to participants will include mentoring, family reunification, and pro-social behavior. Post-release, the case manager will make referrals for any necessary services, such as to the Department of Behavioral Health for mental health and substance abuse counseling. For up to six months after release from custody, the case manager will monitor the progress of the participants, and address any issues that are hindering participants from completing their goals. The services from existing County of Fresno contracts will be utilized for transitional housing, reentry employment readiness, and a construction apprenticeship program. Arrangements have been made with Fresno Housing Authority to secure affordable and quality permanent housing. Case management services will be contracted to provide one case manager per 40 participants.
Awards will be announced on approximately September 12, 2019. If awarded, the Grant Award Agreement will be brought to your Board for approval at a future date. A competitive bidding process will also be entered to select providers for the case management and support services described in the proposal. The provider selected will be required to have a proven track record of providing case management to individuals in the criminal justice system, as well as those affiliated or previously affiliated with gang activity.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Application with BSCC
CAO ANALYST:
Samantha Buck