Title
a. Approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Monterey County Probation Department and the Salinas Union High School District, reimbursing the Probation Department up to $744,608 for fiscal year 2020-2021, for collaborative campus-based services provided by the Probation Department retroactive to July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021;
b. Authorize the Chief Probation Officer to execute the MOU, including the mutual indemnification provisions; and
c. Authorize the Chief Probation Officer to sign up to three (3) future amendments to this MOU where each amendment does not exceed ten percent ($74,461) of the original contract amount and does not significantly change the scope of work.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Monterey County Probation Department and the Salinas Union High School District, reimbursing the Probation Department up to $744,608 for fiscal year 2020-2021, for collaborative campus-based services provided by the Probation Department retroactive to July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021;
b. Authorize the Chief Probation Officer to execute the MOU, including the mutual indemnification provisions; and
c. Authorize the Chief Probation Officer to sign up to three (3) future amendments to this MOU where each amendment does not exceed ten percent ($74,461) of the original contract amount and does not significantly change the scope of work.
SUMMARY:
The Probation Department is recommending approval of an MOU in the amount of $744,608 with Salinas Union High School District retroactive to July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, as reimbursement for campus-based services provided by Probation.
DISCUSSION:
The Monterey County Probation Department (MCPD) has operated a successful Campus Probation Officer program in partnership with school districts throughout Monterey County for years. The collaboration with Salinas Union High School District (SUHSD) allows MCPD to closely monitor and supervise juvenile probationers and assist with at-risk students within the school system.
The Salinas Union High School District and Monterey County Probation Department provide a coordinated approach, utilizing available resources from both agencies. MCPD will assign up to nine (9) Deputy Probation Officers (DPOs) and one (1) Probation Aide (PA) to school sites within the SUHSD to closely monitor and supervise juvenile probationers attending specified schools. Probation staff will help develop and operate a spectrum of intervention/diversion programs designed to improve behavior in the community, home and school, and prevent further entry into the juvenile justice system.
MCPD will receive up to $744,608 for fiscal year 2020-2021 reimbursed by the school district as a partial contribution to staffing costs.
The MOU includes provisions for modified operations due to COVID-19 based on the district’s possible scenarios for students attending school in a distance learning environment or returning to campuses on a partial or full-time schedule. Under the solely distance learning scenario, Probation will initially assign and be reimbursed the partial cost of a reduced level of staffing, specifically four (4) Deputy Probation Officers to support schools selected at SUHSD’s discretion. As students return to in-person instruction, additional staff will be assigned and reimbursed in accordance with the MOU.
Due to the fluid COVID-19 situation and unpredictable timing for the return of students on campus, the Department will closely monitor the program and as necessary adjust staffing in coordination with SUHSD.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The MOU has been approved by County Counsel as to legal form and risk provisions and by the Auditor-Controller as to fiscal terms.
FINANCING:
SUHSD will reimburse MCPD up to a total of $744,608 for the staffing and operating costs of the programs. Funding is already contained in the requested budget for Department PRO001, Unit 8166 for fiscal year 2020-2021. Although the schools are currently in distance learning mode with reduced Probation staffing, this does not represent an impact to Probation’s budget. A lower amount of revenue was budgeted in the adopted budget with program salary offsets due to reassignments of Deputy Probation Officers in support of the probable program contraction. There is no additional cost to the County General Fund with the recommended action.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This recommendation supports the Board of Supervisor Strategic Initiatives of: a) Health and Human Services by improving quality of life and providing a healthy environment for youth; and b) Public Safety by encouraging students to achieve their potential through education, monitoring activities during and after school, and increasing safety and awareness on campus through crime prevention and close supervision.
___ Economic Development
___ Administration
_X Health & Human Services
____Infrastructure
_X_ Public Safety
Prepared by: Wendi Reed, Management Analyst II, ext. 3985
Approved by: Todd Keating, Chief Probation Officer, ext. 3913
Attachments: SUHSD Campus P.O. Program Memorandum of Understanding, FY 2020-2021