Title
Receive an oral report and update for the Monterey County Gang Violence Prevention Initiative.
Presenter: Rosemary Soto, Management Analyst III, MCGVP Coordinator
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Receive an oral report and update for the Monterey County Gang Violence Prevention Initiative.
Presenter: Rosemary Soto, Management Analyst III, MCGVP Coordinator
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
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 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 Race and Equity Action Plan. The plan while still development 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 in the fall of 2018.
In the meantime, a basic introductory training for all County staff on the principles of GRE has been developed and is in the beta testing process. The goal is to convene all County Department Heads as a follow up to the in-depth training they received in December 2016 and deliver this introductory training at that time. The draft Race and Equity Action Plan and community engagement results will also be presented to the Department Heads for their review and the opportunity gain their feedback before bringing it to the full Board of Supervisors for adoption.
Planning for expanding the Monterey County racial equity team will include a third introductory cohort of up to 13 County department representatives in the 2019 Introductory GARE training. The 2017 and 2018 cohorts 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 continues to convene the Violence Prevention Regional Network and continues to work towards on the identified key focus areas for pursuing partnership opportunities
1. 1st Annual Regional Conference: hosted on May 30, 2018 a conference on gang violence prevention for all Monterey County partners serving gang impacted youth and families. The goal of the conference was to uplift the youth voice and implement a youth led model for learning community proven best practices. The conference planning committee consisted of representatives of the Seaside Youth Resource Center, MILPA, City of Salinas, City of Gonzales, City of King. A total of 135 youth service providers were in attendance, 6 youth and 3 adults participated in the program and panel.
2. City of Seaside Youth Violence Prevention Task Force: Currently lead the planning process for developing the City’s Strategic Plan for Violence Prevention in partnership with the Blue-Ribbon Panel, community based youth serving organizations, and Monterey Peninsula Unified School District with impact in Seaside and neighboring Peninsula cities such as Monterey and Marina.
3. 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. North Monterey County Community Alliance will be launching an expansion to the Junior Achievement program, with the addition of internship and job shadowing opportunities in local businesses throughout Monterey County.
4. 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.
5. 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.
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.
FINANCING:
Accepting this oral report has no impact on the County General Fund Contribution at this time.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__Economic Development
X Administration
X Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Rosemary Soto, Management Analyst III x 5840
Approved by: Nick E. Chiulos, Assistant County Administrative Officer, Ext. 5145