To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Probation Department
Staff Name and Phone Number: Vanessa Fuchs, 565-2732
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Public Safety Evaluation Services
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Authorize the Chief Probation Officer to execute a new Professional Services Agreement with DNA Global for public safety evaluation services, effective April 7, 2026, replacing the May 21, 2024 agreement, for an initial term through June 30, 2027 in an amount not-to-exceed $534,000, and to execute up to two one-year extension options for a maximum five-year agreement amount not to exceed $976,000.
B) Authorize the Chief Probation Officer to approve and sign Work Order Agreements up to $100,000 per fiscal year, consistent with the contract terms and overall not-to-exceed limits.
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Executive Summary:
On May 21, 2024, the Board authorized the Chief Probation Officer to execute a three-year Professional Services Agreement (the Original Agreement) with DNA Global in the amount of $334,000, with two-one year extension options for a total not-to-exceed amount of $576,000 over five years. The original agreement provided baseline evaluation services commissioned by the Community Corrections Partnership (CCP) to examine the implementation of Public Safety Realignment and related programs and outcomes. Probation has determined the need to expand DNA Global’s services to meet other evaluation needs, as permitted under the original agreement and described in the discussion section. The expanded work will further support Sonoma County’s commitment to reducing recidivism, promoting evidence-based programming, minimizing unnecessary detention, and advancing equity in criminal justice decision-making, through additional program evaluations, complex data analysis, and best-practice consultation.
To support these additional evaluation priorities, a new agreement is proposed that supersedes and replaces the original agreement. The new agreement establishes a work-order process for approving additional work, increases the not-to-exceed amount only to account for this additional work, and updates contract language. The new contract’s not-to-exceed amount is $534,000 for the initial term (May 21, 2024 - June 30, 2027) and $976,000 over a potential five-year term. This includes $576,000 for baseline services, consistent with the Original Agreement, and up to $100,000 per year for additional evaluation services over the maximum contract period. Additional evaluation services will be approved through the work order process.
Discussion:
The Probation Department released an RFP on November 1, 2023 to secure evaluation services for criminal justice programs. Proposals were submitted by three organizations and rated by a committee of representatives from the District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, and Probation Department. Clear criteria were used in scoring proposals, including qualifications and experience, project approach and work schedule, and cost of service. The committee additionally performed reference checks and interviews of the highest scored organizations. Based on this process, Probation recommended, and the Board awarded, a program evaluation contract to DNA Global, a woman-owned, equity-focused research and development consulting firm specializing in justice and human service system program evaluations based in Danville, California, which had not previously contracted with Sonoma County. Funding for these evaluations was approved by the Community Corrections Partnership in the FY24-25, FY25-26, and proposed FY26-27 budget.
Based on current and upcoming evaluation needs, along with the exceptional services rendered to date, Probation seeks to replace the original agreement to utilize DNA Global for additional evaluation services using a work order process in lieu of contract amendments. These evaluation services will include activities such as additional program evaluations, complex data analysis, and consultation on best practices. One example of these newly identified evaluation needs is score calibration analysis for Probation’s risk assessment instrument. DNA Global’s recent validation of the assessment instrument found that calibration is needed to optimize accurate and equitable risk classification so that the right intensity of supervision is directed to the people who need it.
The increased evaluation services will be funded through departmental sources, such as the Community Corrections Performance Incentive Fund (CCPIF). Also known as SB678, the Community Corrections Performance Incentives Act of 2009 is a state law that created a performance-based grant program for probation departments with the goal of reducing state prison admissions while improving public safety. The legislation requires that at least 5% of the annual SB678 funding Probation receives be devoted to evaluating the effectiveness of programs and practices. Probation has accrued a fund balance for this purpose.
Probation proposes a new agreement that supersedes and replaces the original agreement. The updated contract introduces a work-order process that allows individual projects to be authorized without requiring formal contract amendments, updates contract terms to include an Artificial Intelligence clause, and increases the not-to-exceed amounts to account for any additional work authorized through signed the work-order process. The scope and budget for CCP-funded programs remain unchanged. No other increases are proposed.
Strategic Plan:
This item directly supports the County’s Five-year Strategic Plan and is aligned with the following pillar, goal, and objective.
Pillar: Racial Equity and Social Justice
Goal: Goal 3: Ensure racial equity throughout all County policy decisions and service delivery.
Objective: Objective 2: Establish regular and publicly available reports on racial equity in County policies, programs, and services.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
Yes
Some of the evaluations under this contract analyze race and gender disparities, comparing proportions of race and gender groups at key justice system decision points. Additionally, all evaluations will focus on how to improve race and gender equity in programs, practices, and systems. Evaluation results should help Sonoma County decision makers improve equity of service delivery. The Probation Department will publish evaluation reports at https://sonomacounty.gov/justice-services/probation/planning-implementation-and-evaluation-(pie)/research-and-reports
Prior Board Actions:
05/21/24 - Authorized the Chief Probation Officer to execute a professional services agreement with DNA Global for public safety realignment evaluation services.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY25-26 Adopted |
FY26-27 Projected |
FY27-28 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$207,394 |
$243,779 |
$218,402 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
$207,394 |
$212,764 |
$218,402 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
$207,394 |
$243,779 |
$218,402 |
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Fees/Other |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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General Fund Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$207,394 |
$243,779 |
$218,402 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Expenditures for this agreement will not exceed $534,000 through the initial contract term, which ends June 30, 2027. $82,827 was expended through FY24-25.
If the two one-year extensions are executed, the department anticipates expending up to $218,402 in FY27-28 and up to $223,598 in FY28-29, for total of the five-year period of a maximum of $976,000.
The Community Corrections Partnership (CCP) committed to funding up to $576,000 for the entire five-year period, and Probation will identify sources within the annual operating budget to fund up to $100,000 per year of additional evaluation services beginning in FY25-26.
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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):
N/A
Attachments:
Exhibit A - Original DNA Global Agreement
Exhibit B - Revised DNA Global Agreement
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board: