Title
a. Authorize the Chief Probation Officer to sign Agreement No. C5612858 between the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and the County of Monterey (Probation Department) for a total amount not to exceed $28,724, for the term of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028 to provide youthful offender housing, education, care treatment programming and training at the Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp to Monterey County youth referred to this facility, operated by CDCR for the Juvenile or Criminal Court; and
b. Authorize the Chief Probation Officer to sign future amendments, extensions, and any related documents pertaining to Agreement No. C5612858 with the State, subject to review and approval by the Office of County Counsel.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Authorize the Chief Probation Officer to sign Agreement No. C5612858 between the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and the County of Monterey (Probation Department) for a total amount not to exceed $28,724, for the term of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028 to provide youthful offender housing, education, care treatment programming and training at the Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp to Monterey County youth referred to this facility, operated by CDCR for the Juvenile or Criminal Court; and
b. Authorize the Chief Probation Officer to sign future amendments, extensions, and any related documents pertaining to Agreement No. C5612858 with the State, subject to review and approval by the Office of County Counsel.
SUMMARY:
The Probation Department is recommending approval and authorization for the Chief Probation Officer to enter into Agreement No. C5612858 with CDCR to provide youthful offender housing, education, care, treatment programming and training in wild land firefighting skills at the Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp (PGYCC) to Monterey County youth referred to this facility, operated by CDCR for the Juvenile or Criminal Court. The Agreement allows CDCR to accept youth who are referred by the Court pursuant to the requirements of the Welfare and Institutions Code Section 1752.1, for housing, education, care, treatment programming and training.
DISCUSSION:
Agreement No. C5612858 with CDCR will allow youthful offenders to be referred to PGYCC, which is a state-local partnership to train justice-involved youth in wildland firefighting skills. CDCR maintains the camp in Amador County, which screens and accepts youth aged 18 and older from other state and local facilities or as court ordered.
Senate Bill 823 (SB823), related to Juvenile Justice Realignment, was signed into law in September 2020. SB 823 began the closure of the Department of Juvenile Justice and transferred responsibility for managing youthful offenders under State custody to local jurisdictions. The PGYCC program offers job skills and vocational training to youth. Youth must show an interest in the program, meet the qualifications required by the program, and must have Court approval. Successful completion of this program does not guarantee employment but does offer vocation skills in a variety of settings.
Training is provided by CAL Fire and youth are certified to engage in wildland firefighting operations, including stream clearance, wildland fire prevention tasks, habitat restoration, and flood control activities in state and county parks. The goal of the program is to provide youth with employable skills and develop within them a strong foundation of solid work habits. Youth also receive leadership training in their crew structure. In addition, youth that have not obtained a high school diploma, passed an equivalency exam, or completed a legally established program of completion from an accredited school, will be enrolled in the facility’s high school. Special education and English learner services are provided, as needed. Youth may also access post-secondary education programs and college opportunities that are available at PGYCC.
Through the proposed Agreement, the Probation Department will reimburse CDCR at a rate of $10 per day/per youth and $81 per day/per youth for the two-week training period for youth attending PGYCC. The total Agreement amount is $28,724 for the three-year Agreement term, however the term of commitment served by an individual youth will be determined by the Court and may be less than a full year. Included in the cost is the provision of routine medical, dental or mental health treatment and routine periodic medical examinations for the referred youth. The cost does not include extraordinary healthcare expenses, medical transportation or related transportation costs, nor the emergency medical or mental health treatment, which remain the County’s responsibility to pay.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Agreement was approved by the Office of County Counsel as to legal form and by the Auditor-Controller as to fiscal terms.
FINANCING:
Funding for this Agreement will be provided by the State SB823 annual allocation. The amount of $9,575 is included in Probation’s Requested Budget 001-2550-PRO001-8163 for FY 25-26. Future fiscal year costs will be requested through the corresponding annual budget process. There will be no impact to the General Fund from approval of the recommended action.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This recommendation supports the Board of Supervisor Strategic Initiatives of a) Economic Development by providing employment training to youthful offenders preparing to re-enter the community and b) Public Safety by encouraging self-sustainability to aid in crime prevention and successful reintegration into the community.
X Economic Development
Administration
Health & Human Services
Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Marcela Barbosa, Management Analyst II, Ext. 1100
Approved by: Jose Ramirez, Chief Probation Officer, Ext. 3913
Attachment:
Agreement No. C5612858 with CDCR