DATE: December 10, 2019
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Elizabeth Diaz, Public Defender
SUBJECT: Salary Resolution Amendment to add Defense Social Work Supervisor
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing the FY 2019-20 appropriations in the Local Community Corrections Org 3436 in the amount of $132,555 (4/5 vote);
2. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing the FY 2019-20 appropriations and estimated revenues in the Public Defender Org 2880 in the amount of $132,555 (4/5 vote); and
3. Approve Amendment to the Salary Resolution adding one Defense Social Work Supervisor position to the Public Defender’s Org 2880, effective December 16, 2019 as reflected in Appendix C.
REPORT
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions, as all costs are fully offset with Public Safety Realignment Act (Assembly Bill 109) funds. The recommended actions will add a Defense Social Work Supervisor position to oversee the Public Defender’s Social Worker Unit along with the necessary funding for the position. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If your Board were to not approve the recommended actions, the Department’s positions will remain unchanged.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions; as the recommended Defense Social Work Supervisor position is fully offset with Assembly Bill 109 funds. The recommended budget resolutions will provide the necessary appropriations and estimated revenue for the recommended position.
DISCUSSION:
The addition of a Social Worker Unit in the Public Defender’s Office was approved by the Community Corrections Partnership (CCP) at their May 2017 meeting to assist in linking clients to alcohol and substance abuse treatment programs and ease the transition from incarceration to living and working in the community. Your Board approved the fifth update to the CCP Plan on September 26, 2017, which included the addition of the Social Worker Unit.
Two Defense Social Worker positions and associated services and supplies for this Unit were included in the Public Defender’s Org 2880 Adopted Budget for FY 2017-18. In the FY 2018-19 Adopted Budget, the Board of Supervisors approved the addition of one Defense Social Worker and associated services and supplies funded with Net County Cost. This Social Worker assists in the Misdemeanor Drug Court by contacting clients to ensure they comply with their treatment programs and appear on all future court dates. On March 11, 2019, the CCP approved funding for the addition of another Defense Social Worker and a Defense Social Work Supervisor position to provide leadership and supervision over the Social Worker Unit. The Defense Social Worker position was included in the FY 2019-20 Adopted Budget, but the Defense Social Work Supervisor is a new classification with new job specifications that took additional time to finalize and is now being brought before your Board. Currently, there is a total of four Defense Social Workers in this Unit.
The purpose of the Social Worker Unit is to enhance the Office’s culture of holistic client representation. National standards today require a multi-disciplinary defense team that bridges expertise in order to promote alternative sentences and reduce recidivism. Many defender offices around the country are adopting the holistic defense model to address both legal and social needs of defendants to improve outcomes and reduce costs. Expanding the Social Worker Unit will allow the Office to be in line with other jurisdictions and engage in best practices.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
#12, September 26, 2017
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Salary Resolution - Appendix C
On file with the Clerk - Resolutions (Orgs 3436 and 2880)
CAO ANALYST:
Samantha Buck