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Probation Department requests the Chair to receive and sign the 2009 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Award in the amount of $220,447; said grant is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and administered by the California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) for the purpose of an Evidence-Based Probation Supervision Program (EBPSP); adopt Resolution amending the Authorized Personnel Allocation Resolution 158-2009 by adding one (1) FTE Deputy Probation Officer I/II (Grant Funded); and approve the corresponding Budget Transfer 2010048. (Est. Time: 5 Min.)
FUNDING: Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG).
Resolution 021-2010
Body
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: No fiscal impact or change to Net County Cost. Refer to attached Budget Transfer.
Background:
On November 5, 2009, the California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA), Crime Suppression Unit, announced the release of a Request for Application (RFA) for the Evidence-Based Probation Supervision Program (EBPSP). California county probation departments are the only entities eligible to apply for these awards. Funding to support the Evidenced-Based Probation Supervision Program is authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Cal EMA was designated as the State Administrative Agency (SAA) authorized to administer this funding. The funding is being distributed through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program.
Nearly $45 million was allocated statewide for this program with each county's allocation predetermined by a formula pertaining to the population of adults 18 to 25 years of age residing in each county. El Dorado County was allocated $220,447 for the 36 month grant period of October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2012.
The intent of the grant is to provide funding to county probation departments for the purpose of providing evidenced-based supervision, programs, or services to adult felon probationers with the intent of reducing the likelihood that these probationers will commit new crimes or other violations and be sent to prison. An evidenced-based program for adult probationers is a program where the applicant can identify empirical data that the program has been shown to reduce rates of re-offending, re-arrest, re-conviction, or re-incarceration for program participants or that the program is considered a best practice in criminal justice literature. Evidenced-based programs for adult offenders include, but are not limited to: risk and needs assessments, graduated sanctions for probation violators, treatment, employment and training assistance, case management, intensive supervision for high risk offenders coupled with treatment services, cognitive behavior programs and program evaluations.
As with any program funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, applicants must also demonstrate how these programs create jobs or retain positions that otherwise may have been cut.
Reason for Recommendation:
On December 15, 2009 the Board authorized the Chief Probation Officer to file the above named grant application; upon award of said grant Probation was to return for Board authorization of the Budget Transfer, a Resolution amending the Authorized Personnel Allocation, and the Certification of Assurance of Compliance to be signed by the Board Chair.
The Probation Department has received a letter of intent from Cal EMA to award the Probation Department's Evidence Based Probation Supervision Program; the grant award number is ZP09010090, in the amount of $220,447.00. The period for this award begins October 1, 2009 and ends September 30, 2012.
The Probation Department will add one (1.0) FTE Deputy Probation Officer which would be used exclusively to establish an intensive supervision caseload of higher risk sex offenders. A state mandated risk assessment tool is already being utilized to identify sex offenders who present the highest risk of re-offending. It is believed the creation of an intensive supervision program of these sex offenders pursuant to this grant will result in more effective supervision of sex offenders and an increase in public safety. Given the State's late start for this program the grant award of $220,447 will fund a Deputy Probation Officer for the period April 1, 2010 thru September 30, 2012 plus provide for training and other minor support costs. While this time frame does not meet the Board's previously supported position not to add new positions with grant funding if they were not funded for three years, the time frame is sufficiently close for the Department to recommend going forth with the grant program.
Action to be taken following Board approval:
1) Chair to sign the Certification of Assurance of Compliance
2) Chair to sign Budget Transfer
3) Chair to sign Resolution amending the Authorized Personnel Allocation Resolution #158-2009
4) Human Resources to proceed with recruitment.
Contact: Gary Hudgeons, Interim Chief Probation Officer, (530) 621-5638.