To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Public Infrastructure
Staff Name and Phone Number: Johannes J. Hoevertsz, 707-565-2550
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): First
Title:
Title
License Renewal for Court Appointed Special Advocates of Sonoma County, Inc., at Los Guilicos
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Authorize the Public Infrastructure Director to execute the proposed amendment to the license agreement with Court Appointed Special Advocates of Sonoma County, Inc. (CASA), to extend the license term to January 31, 2024, with three, 1-year options; for classroom/office space, located at 365 Casa Manana Road, Santa Rosa, at the County Los Guilicos campus; and
B) Make findings as required by Section 26227 of the Government Code that the proposed renewal and extension of the license with CASA is necessary to meet the social needs of the population of the County and that the County does not need the Premises during the term of the agreement.
(First District)
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Recommended action
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Executive Summary:
This item seeks approval by your Board to extend the license agreement with the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Sonoma County, Inc. (“CASA”), who occupy office and classroom space at 365 Casa Manana Road, at the County Los Guilicos campus in east Santa Rosa. CASA has provided advocacy services, free of charge, for abused and neglected children coming before the Juvenile Court for protection and rehabilitation services since January 1998. The extension would renew the previous license agreement which was executed in February 2016, through January 31, 2024, with three, 1-year options to extend the term through up to January 31, 2027.
Discussion:
Staff seeks Board authorization for the Sonoma County Public Infrastructure Director to execute the proposed amendment to the license agreement (Agreement), with Court Appointed Special Advocates of Sonoma, Inc. (CASA) for their use of Classrooms D, I, J, K, and L (a total of approx. 3,115 sq. ft.), at 365 Casa Mañana Road, Santa Rosa. The Premises are in close proximity to the Juvenile Justice Court facilities at the County Los Guilicos campus. The term of the Agreement expired on January 31, 2023, and CASA requested an extension of the term of the Agreement. The proposed amendment renews and extends the Agreement through January 31, 2024, and provides three, 1-year extension options to renew the agreement, for a total potential term extension through January 31, 2027.
CASA Program. The CASA Program is a 501 (c) (3) charitable community-based organization that provides advocacy services, free of charge, for abused and neglected children coming before the Juvenile Court for protection and rehabilitation services - Dependency Court and Juvenile Justice children and youth. The purpose of the CASA program is to humanize the complex child welfare system for the child victim, by providing a trained volunteer from the community who will act as a consistent role model, advocate, and potential life connection. CASA serves children in Sonoma County between the ages of birth to 21 years old who have been removed from their parents’ care through no fault of their own or are under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Justice Court. Each year, CASA recruits, screens, orients, and provides hours of training for over 185 adults who are appointed by the Courts to serve as advocates for over 259 children. For each child served, the CASA volunteer represents the child in court, reports recommendations and findings about the child to the Juvenile Court, and supports the child's case as it moves through the juvenile court system. Each child in foster care has a team of adults working on their behalf which operates more effectively when everyone is informed and connected.
Since 1996 and CASA’s presence at the Premises, CASA of Sonoma County has recruited over 1,400 volunteers to serve as child advocates, advisors, faculty, board members, consultants, and support personnel for the CASA program and has served over 1,700 children and youth in foster care. CASA volunteers provide over 12,000 of case hours every year with a value of $458,000 of volunteer/pro bono time on their cases annually. In addition to services to abused and neglected children, the CASA program provides community education and awareness concerning the issues of child abuse, neglect and child welfare policy. CASA is also committed to working toward public policies that promote child abuse prevention and addressing reforms in the Juvenile Dependency/Foster Care system.
Public Interest. Section 26227 of the Government Code allows the County to execute the Agreement, provided the Board makes a finding that the Agreement is necessary to meet the social needs of the population of the County and that it will not substantially conflict or interfere with the use of the property by the County. CASA’s use of the premises and provision of services as required under the Agreement is in the best interests of the public in the areas of safety, rehabilitation and education. The CASA program provides advocacy services for children in the Juvenile Justice court system, and in collaboration with other agencies to strengthen the safety net supporting the well-being of children and youth. In addition, there is no other proposed use for the Premises at this time, and its use by CASA will not substantially conflict or interfere with use of the property by County.
Strategic Plan:
N/A.
Prior Board Actions:
02/02/16 - Authorized the General Services Director to execute new license agreement
Fiscal Summary
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
N/A
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
1 - Site Plan
2 - Copy of proposed Amendment
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None