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Probation Department recommending the Board receive the Juvenile Justice Realignment Block Grant Plan pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 1991.
FUNDING: Juvenile Justice Realignment Funds established by Senate Bill 823 (2020).
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On September 30, 2020, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 823 (SB 823) directing the closure of the Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) effective July 1, 2023, and suspension of case intake as of July 1, 2021. This legislation comes after a troubled and frequently scandalous history of mistreatment of youth at the state-run facilities. As a result, the State has realigned the responsibility for detention, programming, and treatment of court committed youth from the State to county government and provides annual funding to support the new responsibilities. The intent of the legislation is for county probation departments to create a local treatment response for youth who would have otherwise been ordered by the Court to DJJ. This requirement includes secure rehabilitation and programming that meets the specific and individualized needs of each youth. Further intent of the legislation is to ensure that youth are closer to their families and receive age-appropriate treatment that is evidence-based and will improve outcomes of youth and public safety.
Pursuant to SB 823, Counties are eligible to receive a direct allocation of formula-based realignment funding. For El Dorado County, the first year (FY 21-22) allocation is $250,000, which represents the base minimum. In year two, the amount grows to $404,000, and in year three grows to $669,000. Allocation amounts are not programmed beyond year three but growth is anticipated. The Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) will also distribute two separate allocations of Youth Programs and Facilities Grants (YPFG) in the form of a competitive grant in the amount of $1...
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