Title
Approve and authorize the Chief Probation Officer to sign the Agreement between the Counties of Monterey and Contra Costa for the provision of mandated psychotherapy services for Monterey County youth placed in the County of Contra Costa for the term retroactive to July 1, 2023 through January 3, 2024.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Approve and authorize the Chief Probation Officer to sign the Agreement between the Counties of Monterey and Contra Costa for the provision of mandated psychotherapy services for Monterey County youth placed in the County of Contra Costa for the term retroactive to July 1, 2023 through January 3, 2024.
SUMMARY:
The passage of Budget Trailer Bill SB 823 in September 2020 transferred responsibility for managing youthful offenders under State custody to local jurisdictions and initiated the closure of California’s State Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and its juvenile correctional facilities, effective July 1, 2021. Under the SB 823 Juvenile Justice Realignment legislation, the custody authority for the realigned population was transferred from the State to Counties. The realigned population includes youth under juvenile court jurisdiction who in the past would have been committed to custody in one of the State’s juvenile correctional facilities due to the severity of their crime(s), e.g., arson, rape, murder, aggravated assault, kidnapping, robbery and sex crimes.
Monterey County Probation has a youth that returned from DJJ and was placed under their supervision until the completion of his terms of probation. The youth is housed in Contra Costa County and requires specialized psychotherapy services at his location.
The County of Contra Costa has agreed to provide mandated psychotherapy services under their contracted service provider, A Step Forward, to referred youth under Monterey County Probation supervision, and placed in their county. These services are recommended under the Containment Model of Offender Supervision and also by order of the Juvenile Court. Additionally, pursuant to CCR Title 9, §30817, this treatment was ordered by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Board of Juvenile Hearings as a basis for approval of the youth to discharge from DJJ. The proposed agreement identifies the counties’ responsibilities, terms and conditions, and payment provisions.
DISCUSSION:
In the past, Monterey County has entered into written agreements with other counties for the provision of services as specific needs have arisen.
This collaboration allows for mandated specialized psychotherapy services to be provided to a referred youth placed in Contra Costa County. The Agreement contains non-standard provisions for indemnification and payment. As there are compelling reasons for execution of this agreement, the Department recommends that the Board approve the exceptions to County standard indemnification and payment provision language as in the best interest of the County and the youth being served.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County Counsels for both Monterey and Contra Costa have reviewed this agreement as to legal form. The Auditor-Controller’s Office has reviewed the document and noted non-standard payment provisions.
FINANCING:
Monterey County has agreed to pay Contra Costa County for services provided under their contracted services provider. Funding in the amount of $5,000 associated with this recommendation, is allocated from the local share of the State’s SB 823 Juvenile Justice Realignment program. This funding has been authorized in the current State budget and sufficient appropriations for these services are included in Probation’s FY 23-24 Adopted Budget Unit 001-2550-8163-PRO001. There is no cost to the County General Fund associated with this recommendation.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This recommendation supports the key objectives of Public Safety and Health and Human Services through a close collaboration with Contra Costa County to provide mandated services to juveniles placed in other counties.
__Economic Development
__Administration
X Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Wendi Reed, Management Analyst III, ext. 3985
Approved by: Todd Keating, Chief Probation Officer, ext. 3913
Attachments: Agreement - County of Monterey and County of Contra Costa