Title
a. Receive a report on the draft Monterey County Gang Violence Prevention: Strategic Plan;
b. Consider authorization of community meetings to receive community input on the draft strategic plan;
c. Consider approval of funding in the amount of $95,998 from General Fund Contingencies for the Social Policy Research Associates (SPR) proposal to provide facilitation services to develop an integrated gang violence prevention action plan; and
d. Consider direction to staff to develop a budget and staffing plan for implementation and coordination of the Gang Violence Prevention Strategic Plan program.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a report on the draft Monterey County Gang Violence Prevention: Strategic Plan;
b. Consider authorization of community meetings to receive community input on the draft strategic plan;
c. Consider approval of funding in the amount of $95,998 from General Fund Contingencies for the Social Policy Research Associates (SPR) proposal to provide facilitation services to develop an integrated gang violence prevention action plan; and
d. Consider direction to staff to develop a budget and staffing plan for implementation and coordination of the Gang Violence Prevention Strategic Plan program.
SUMMARY & DISCUSSION:
In the fall of 2012, at the direction of the Board of Supervisors, the County contracted with Social Policy Research Associates (SPR) to prepare a Gang Violence Prevention Strategic Plan in order to align the County's significant investments for maximum effectiveness in reducing gang violence.
Gang related violence has been a reality in Monterey County for over 50 years. It is a complex issue affected by a multitude of factors, many of which are outside the reach of County government. In addition, resources of the County and other local governments are severely constrained. These constraints further underline the need for internal and external alignment of resources and strategies, as well as collaboration across agencies and jurisdictions that are at the core of the draft Strategic Plan.
Gang prevention, intervention, suppression and reentry activities have long been a priority of the Board. The Board's commitment to these efforts is outlined in their Strategic Initiatives and Legislative Program, and has been demonstrated by the tremendous amount of time and resources which have been directed to these activities by various County departments over the years. Development of this Strategic Plan will build upon the County's previous efforts, including the 2009 Monterey County's Comprehensive Violence Prevention, Intervention, Suppression, and Reentry Framework, as well as existing highly effective inter-agency collaborations with such groups as the Community Alliance for Safety and Peace (CASP), Four Cities for Peace (4C4P) and others.
The attached draft Gang Violence Prevention Strategic Plan is a product of extensive interviews with County, local and national experts in the field; an extensive review of best practices in violence prevention plans of cities and counties across the nation; and SPR's expertise in the areas of strategic planning, gang violence reduction, community engagement, organizational development and evaluation. The draft Strategic Plan outlines a series of recommended strategies designed to: 1) aid in resource allocation, organizational maneuvering and accountability; 2) leverage investments through strategic, proactive and monitored actions; and 3) deeply involve the community.
The next step in this process, if authorized by the Board, is to engage the public in a series of meetings in the City of Salinas and in the north, south and west areas of the County. These meetings will elicit feedback from the general public on the draft Strategic Plan, and develop community awareness and ownership of the Plan.
A final Strategic Plan incorporating input from the community meetings will be presented to the Board in the spring of 2013.
Additionally, this report seeks funding for the development of an Integrated Gang Violence Prevention Action Plan. Development of this Action Plan is a critical recommendation contained within the draft Strategic Plan. The objective of the Action Plan is to maximize the investments already made and increase their impact through improved coordination and redesign. It is recommended that the Action Plan process outlined in the draft Strategic Plan be launched as soon as the Strategic Plan is approved by the Board. The first step in such a process will be to form and engage a Gang Violence Prevention Workgroup in a highly facilitated Gang Violence Prevention Design Lab. An extensive description of this next phase of the project is included in the attached proposal from SPR.
Finally, staff seeks direction from the Board to develop a budget and staffing plan for implementation and coordination of the Gang Violence Prevention Strategic Plan program. The formation of a "coordinator" position is one of the critical strategy recommendations contained in the draft Strategic Plan.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County Administrative Office - Intergovernmental & Legislative Affairs Division prepared this report with information provided by SPR. Extensive interviews were conducted with County leadership, department heads, local and national experts in the field of violence prevention which greatly contributed to the development of the draft Strategic Plan.
FINANCING:
Funding for the development of the Strategic Plan was provided by the Board on 9/11/12 with a transfer from contingencies to dept 1040, budget unit 8054, appropriations unit CAO004. Currently no funding exists for the development of the action plan or ongoing program coordination. This report includes a funding request for the action plan proposal from SPR in the amount of $95,998.
General Fund Operational Contingencies are sourced with one-time funding. Any use of General Fund Contingencies may require reductions in other programs to continue the program. FY 2012-13 budgeted General Fund Contingencies is $4,550,162. Thus far, $52,500 transfers from General Fund Contingencies have been approved by the Board in FY 2012-13. With this requested action to transfer $95,998 from Contingencies, the remaining General Fund Operational Contingencies budget would be $4,401,664.
Prepared by: Approved by:
Annette D'Adamo Nicholas E. Chiulos
Management Analyst III Director, Intergovernmental & Legislative Affairs
Date: February 28, 2013
Attachment:
1) DRAFT - A Strategic Plan for Gang Violence Prevention for Monterey County (03/04/13)
2) SPR Proposal for the Development of an Integrated Gang Violence Prevention
Action Plan for the County of Monterey (1/22/13)
3) Presentation Slides A Strategic Plan for Gang Violence Prevention for the County of Monterey