To: Board of Supervisors of Sonoma County
Department or Agency Name(s): Probation
Staff Name and Phone Number: Vanessa Fuchs, 707-565-2732
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Continuation of Transitional Housing Program for Individuals on Probation
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize the Chief Probation Officer to execute a professional services agreement with InterFaith Shelter Network for the term December 1, 2023, through November 30, 2026, not to exceed $600,000 to provide transitional housing beds and services for unhoused individuals on probation and other at-risk populations through a State transitional housing grant.
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Executive Summary:
The 2016 State Budget Act included a competitive grant through which winning counties could provide transitional housing and public safety services for individuals released from incarceration. In 2017, with Board approval, the Probation Department and InterFaith Shelter Network jointly applied for and won a $2,000,000 grant to establish a housing facility in Santa Rosa. A contract between the two parties expired on December 4, 2023, but additional funding remains from the original award. Therefore, the Probation Department requests Board approval to execute another contract with InterFaith Shelter Network to continue services. Housing these populations improves public safety by providing a drug- and alcohol-free environment where they can be supervised.
Discussion:
Program Funding
California’s 2016 Budget Act appropriated $25 million for the Community-Based Transitional Housing Program, which created grants issued by the Department of Finance for transitional housing that provides treatment and reentry programming primarily for individuals released from incarceration. In 2017, the Probation Department (Probation) and InterFaith Shelter Network (IFSN) applied for and won a $2,000,000 grant to establish and supervise a transitional housing facility in Santa Rosa. Per the grant terms, funds are to be deployed for both transitional housing and Probation supervision services. IFSN subsequently opened a 15-bed house in Santa Rosa in December 2017, which has served 161 unique individuals in the years since then.
Based on projected duration of program funding, Probation executed a six-year contract with IFSN in 2017, which expired on December 4, 2023. After six years, however, additional funds remain because 1) during the pandemic, Probation reduced service levels and used only a small fraction of its allocation, and 2) interest accruals have exceeded projections. We now project that remaining funding of approximately $670,000 (grant award and accumulated interest combined) can support Probation and housing services through November 30, 2026. Although the grant had no official end date, Probation confirmed with the Department of Finance that we may use the remaining funding indefinitely to continue current services. Meanwhile, services have continued uninterrupted since the expiration date in anticipation of a new contract.
On January 5, 2024, the County Purchasing division approved a single-source waiver to continue services with IFSN for an additional three years.
Program Overview
Under the Agreement, IFSN operates a drug- and alcohol-free residential facility to provide a structured housing environment, including wrap-around supportive services to assist with placement into permanent housing and transitioning back into the community. Program participants are those who would otherwise be living marginally in the community, with little or no support, and who would likely resort to criminal behaviors without a supportive program. The over-arching goal of the program is to reduce recidivism and enhance public safety by providing a secure, sober living environment for individuals on probation.
Probation and IFSN coordinate to determine needed supportive services for each placement. Available services include case management; individual and group counseling; skill-building; referrals for substance abuse, healthcare, food, and general assistance services; employment preparation; and permanent housing search and placement assistance.
Strategic Plan:
NA
Racial Equity:
NA
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
12/05/2017: IFSN Transitional Housing Contract approved
08/01/2017: Resolution adopted allowing Probation to apply for transitional housing grant
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY23-24 Adopted |
FY24-25 Projected |
FY25-26 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$159,814 |
$175,795 |
$181,069 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
0 |
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$159,814 |
$175,795 |
$181,069 |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
$159,814 |
$175,795 |
$181,069 |
|
Fees/Other |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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General Fund Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$159,814 |
$175,795 |
$181,069 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
State grant funds will cover all contract costs; there is no general fund impact. Of the approximately $670,000 in remaining grant funds and interest, $437,000 will fund IFSN services and $233,000 will partially fund a Probation Officer III who supervises the transitional housing residents, with the position’s remaining costs being covered by a separate state housing grant. The fiscal table above represents only IFSN contract costs. Note that one-half of the FY 23-24 budget was expended under the previous IFSN contract.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
NA
Attachments:
IFSN Transitional Housing and Supportive Services Professional Services Agreement
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None