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 Realignment Evaluation Services
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize the Chief Probation Officer to execute a professional services agreement with DNA Global for public safety realignment evaluation services not to exceed $334,000 from May 21, 2024, through June 30, 2027, with two one-year term extension options, not to exceed $576,000 over five years.
end
Executive Summary:
The Probation Department is requesting approval to enter a professional service agreement with DNA Global in the amount of $334,000 for three years to evaluate performance of criminal justice programs. Initially, evaluations will cover programs funded by the Community Corrections Partnership. Under this agreement, DNA Global may also perform additional evaluations for Probation Department-funded criminal justice programs.
Discussion:
Community Corrections Partnership
Composed of seven department heads, and other community leaders, the Community Corrections Partnership (CCP) receives 2011 Public Safety Realignment funding from the state, and oversees a FY 23-24 budget of $19.8 million for programs that promote public safety and rehabilitate individuals in the criminal justice system, including incarceration, probation, physical and mental health services, prosecution, and public defender services. Each year, the CCP sets aside a portion of its realignment funding to evaluate performance of its programs. The CCP’s FY 23-24 budget includes funding for such services.
Description of Public Safety Realignment Evaluation Services
Per the CCP’s priorities, DNA Global will initially perform the following evaluation activities:
1. Local validation of the Static Risk Assessment and Offender Needs Assessment used for classification and case planning for people under Probation supervision;
2. Race and gender disparities analysis, comparing proportions of race and gender groups at key justice system decision points;
3. Process and outcome evaluation of new substance use disorder services at Probation’s Day Reporting Center in year 3 of this agreement, at which time the program will have been in operation long enough to be evaluated;
4. Implementation assessment of Probation’s behavior response system;
5. Evaluation and planning to identify and address disparities related to race, gender, and mental health status in program engagement and outcomes; and
6. Examination of the effectiveness of electronic monitoring over time in supporting arrest-free behavior and court appearance.
Within each of these activities, evaluations will focus on understanding:
1. How closely the implementation follows program and practice design, and ways to increase fidelity;
2. Where to focus efforts to improve race and gender equity in programs, practices, and systems; and
3. How effective the activities are at achieving the intended outcomes.
As stated in the Request for Proposals (RFP), under this contract, the County may purchase additional evaluation services for programs that serve criminal justice populations in Sonoma County but are not funded by the CCP. The Probation Department, rather than the CCP, would cover any additional evaluation activities.
Request for Proposals
The Probation Department released an RFP on November 1, 2023. Proposals were submitted by three organizations and then rated by a committee of representatives from the District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, Sheriff’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, the committee selected, and the Probation Department recommends awarding a program evaluation contract to DNA Global, a woman-owned, equity-focused consulting firm based in Danville, California, which has not previously contracted with Sonoma County.
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
One of the evaluations under this contract will 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.ca.gov/justice-services/probation/planning-implementation-and-evaluation-(pie)/research-and-reports>.
Prior Board Actions:
10/24/23: Accepted the Community Corrections Partnership’s Fiscal Year 23-24 Public Safety Realignment Implementation Plan, which includes evaluation services funding.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY23-24 Adopted |
FY24-25 Projected |
FY25-26 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$102,280 |
$107,394 |
$112,764 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
0 |
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$102,280 |
$107,394 |
$112,764 |
|
Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
$102,280 |
$107,394 |
$112,764 |
|
Fees/Other |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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General Fund Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$102,280 |
$107,394 |
$112,764 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
CCP funds identified in the approved FY 23-24 and recommended FY 24-25 budgets will cover contract costs. The Probation Department’s additional contract costs, if any, will be borne by the Community Corrections Performance Incentives Fund, another allocation from the State. There is no general fund impact.
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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):
None
Attachments:
DNA Global Professional Services Agreement
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None