Title
a. Approve and authorize the Chief Contracts and Procurement Officer or designee to execute a Non-Standard Agreement with University of Cincinnati Research Institute to provide training on Effective Practices in Community Supervision (EPICS), effective April 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, not to exceed $176,750; and
b. Authorize the Chief Contracts and Procurement Officer or designee to execute future amendments to the Agreement provided they do not exceed an aggregate amount of $200,000 and fall within the signing authority of the Chief Contracts and Procurement Officer.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Chief Contracts and Procurement Officer or designee to execute a Non-Standard Agreement with University of Cincinnati Research Institute to provide training on Effective Practices in Community Supervision (EPICS), effective April 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, not to exceed $176,750; and
b. Authorize the Chief Contracts and Procurement Officer or designee to execute future amendments to the Agreement provided they do not exceed an aggregate amount of $200,000 and fall within the signing authority of the Chief Contracts and Procurement Officer,
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Effective Practices in Community Supervision (EPICS) program at the University of Cincinnati Research Institute focuses on improving the effectiveness of community supervision through structured interventions. The program combines foundational correctional intervention research with community supervision principles to create a comprehensive approach to intervention. The Probation Department last contracted UCRI for training in 2017-2018 and due to the progression of time and onboarding new officers, need to provide this training to new incoming staff, as well as refresher training for existing officers.
The goal of this structured approach to client supervision training is to teach probation officers how to apply the principles of effective intervention to community supervision practices. The training teaches officers how to use the EPICS model to target higher risk offenders and their criminogenic needs using cognitive-behavioral interventions and core correctional practices. Probation officers are taught to increase dosage to higher risk offenders, stay focused on criminogenic needs, especially the thought-behavior link, and use a social learning, cognitive-behavioral approach to their interactions. The EPICS program aims to reduce recidivism by ensuring that probation officers are well-trained and equipped to provide effective interventions.
The University of Cincinnati (UC) serves as the sole owner and proprietor of the copyright in the EPICS model, and UC’s corresponding manual and training program.
The non-standard agreement terms are under Section 10.0, Records and Confidentiality, Paragraph 10.05, Royalties and Inventions and Section 16.0, Miscellaneous Provisions, Paragraph 16.06, Assignments and Subcontracting. The Chief Probation Officer recommends approval of this proposed Non-Standard Agreement.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Non-Standard Agreement has been approved by the Office of the County Counsel as to form and by the Auditor-Controller’s Office as to fiscal provisions.
FINANCING:
There will be no impact to the General Fund from approval of this action. The funds for this Agreement are included in the Probation Department (PRO001, Unit 8165 and PRO001, Unit 8163) Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 Adopted Budget. Any unused contract authority will be fully budgeted in the subsequent FYs, through the term of the Agreement.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Well-Being and Quality of Life
Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
X Safe and Resilient Communities
Diverse and Thriving Economy
Administrative
Prepared by: Wendi Reed, Management Analyst III, Ext. 3985
Approved by: Jose Ramirez, Chief Probation Officer, Ext. 3913
Attachment:
FY2025-26/2026-27Agreement with University of Cincinnati Research Institute