Title
It is recommended that the Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee of the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive an oral report and update for the Monterey County Gang Violence Prevention Initiative.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee of the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive an oral report and update for the Monterey County Gang Violence Prevention Initiative.
SUMMARY:
The Office of Community Engagement and Advocacy of the CAO functions as the Backbone Agency to the Monterey County Gang Violence Prevention Initiative (MCGVP) and a liaison between Monterey County departments, community based organizations, grass roots organizations and local municipalities to further advance local efforts to reduce youth and gang violence.
Staff will provide an oral report of an update to the Progress Report for the Monterey County Gang Violence Prevention Initiative demonstrating tasks, responsibilities and timelines. The oral report will highlight the following areas:
a. Governing for Racial Equity (GRE):
Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE): Monterey County is a cohort member of GARE, a national network of government working to achieve racial equity and advance opportunities for all. The Monterey County GARE Team has completed the first cohort in the yearlong training of GARE which was a guide to the Monterey County team in developing a Racial Equity Action Plan. The plan while still in DRAFT form now, will further outline the policy areas that the County can begin to apply Racial Equity Assessment tools for improvement and/or enhancement. We anticipate a completed Action Plan be prepared for presentation and adoption by the full Board of Supervisors by or before June 2018.
Efforts to expand the Monterey County racial equity team will include a second cohort of up to 13 County department representatives in the 2018 Introductory GARE training. The initial 2017 cohort will continue to participate in GARE as the advanced cohort on the Implementation Track.
b. Monterey County Gang Violence Prevention Initiative:
Regional Network: OCESA continues to provide support and technical assistance to our regional partners including the Cities of Salinas, Seaside, Gonzales, Soledad, Greenfield and King City as well as unincorporated areas of Castroville and North Monterey County. OCESA convened a Regional Network session in June and identified key focus areas for pursuing partnership opportunities and is now in the process of prioritizing action steps for each area:
1. 1st Annual Regional Conference: Host a conference on gang violence prevention for all Monterey County partners serving gang impacted youth and families. The goal of the conference is to uplift the youth voice and implement a youth led model for learning community proven best practices. The conference planning committee includes representatives of the Seaside Youth Resource Center, MILPA, City of Salinas, City of Gonzales, City of King.
2. Social Innovation Opportunities: Pursue funds to develop entrepreneurship opportunities for re-entry and/or out-of-school youth coupled with business development mentorship, behavioral health and trauma-informed healing approaches.
3. Community Response Team: Pursue funding for implementation of a multi-disciplinary team that would respond to gang related homicide and/or incidences of trauma to provide support to the victim and victim’s family.
4. Youth Diversion Program: a partnership with local law enforcement agencies would refer first time low level juvenile offenders to a program that will conduct a needs and risk assessment and provide needed supports to address identified underlying issues.
c. Literacy Campaign: Third grade reading proficiency is a priority indicator of the MCGVP Initiative. A countywide Campaign to promote literacy, “Porque me Amas” continues in partnership with Early Childhood Development Initiative (ECDI), First 5 Monterey County and Literacy Campaign of Monterey County. The Literacy Campaign has identified funding to support the installation of a new play structure at Hebbron Park in east Salinas, that will feature graphics and promotional messaging for the campaign.
d. Public Safety Efforts: OCESA has established the opportunity for continuous engagement of community advocacy and affinity groups with the purpose of addressing concerns or raising issues of related to policies, practices and procedures by Criminal Justice Partners of Monterey County. In 2017, we held three community dialogue sessions in Salinas, Castroville and Marina. Our next community forum will be held in South Monterey County within the first 3 months of 2018. To date the varying issues presented by the community and discussed with the respective law enforcement agencies have been:
1. Immigration (ICE) in the Monterey County Jail and the number of deportations,
2. New Juvenile Hall
3. Proposition 47 and distribution of funds
4. Bail Schedule
5. School Resources Officers
6. Sobering Center
7. Women in incarceration (juvenile and adults)
8. Homelessness
9. Jail Reform and Jail housing
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Partners of the Monterey County Gang Violence Prevention Initiative include: District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, Probation Department, Sheriff’s Department, Department of Social Services, Economic Development Department, Health Department, Behavioral Health Bureau, and the Monterey County Free Libraries. Community Partners include: City of Salinas, CASP, City of Seaside, Blue Ribbon Task Force, City of Gonzales, and Four Cities for Peace and California Endowment’s East Salinas Building Healthy Communities. Natividad Medical Foundation and CHOICES is a partner in the exploration of implementing Reaching Teens.
FINANCING:
Accepting this oral report has no impact on the County General Fund Contribution at this time.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
__ Economic Development
X_ Administration
X_ Health & Human Services
__ Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by:
Prepared by: Rosemary Soto, Management Analyst III
Approved by: Manny González, Assistant County Administrative Officer