To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Sheriff’s Office
Staff Name and Phone Number: Tory Callaway, 565-2872
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Agreement for Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize the Sheriff to execute an Agreement with GEO Reentry Services to provide substance use disorder treatment services to justice-involved adults at the County’s detention facilities for the period April 1, 2024, through March 31, 2027, with the option to extend for two additional one-year terms for a total not to exceed contract cost of $2,546,980.
end
Executive Summary:
It is a goal of the Sheriff’s Office to prepare incarcerated persons to successfully reenter the community by providing in-custody substance use disorder (SUD) treatment services to the individuals who need it, to establish a foundation of resources, services, and support that will continue upon reentry to the community, and thus reduce recidivism. Therefore, the Sheriff’s Office issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to select a program that would achieve this goal. As a result of that process, the Sheriff is recommending the County enter into the proposed Agreement with GEO Reentry Services to provide SUD treatment services to Sonoma County’s incarcerated adults.
Discussion:
A history of drug and alcohol misuse is common among the Sonoma County incarcerated population. Studies have shown that a consistently higher percentage of incarcerated individuals with a history of addiction get arrested or re-arrested for crimes either directly or indirectly related to drug and alcohol addiction. Without proper treatment and resources, repeat drug offenders represent a danger to themselves and others, and a higher chance of continued recidivism.
Background
In October 2004, the Sheriff’s Office (SO) partnered with the County Department of Health Services (DHS) to establish Starting Point, an in-custody substance use disorder (SUD) treatment program in the County’s adult detention facilities, to make a positive impact on the behavior of incarcerated persons with a history of addiction. The Starting Point model offered a cognitive certificate/Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) program designed to reduce criminal thinking and enable participants to identify their destructive lifestyles, patterns of drug use/misuse, and criminal behaviors. Unfortunately, the program gradually shrank in later years due to clinician staffing difficulties and the program was ultimately discontinued in June 2020. Since then, the Sheriff has placed a high priority on reintroducing a robust SUD program when pandemic and staffing restrictions allowed.
Participation in SUD treatment programs and services is voluntary. All incarcerated persons will be afforded equal opportunity to participate in SUD treatment programs subject only to the limitations necessary to maintain the safety and security of the facilities, including incarcerated persons, staff, and service providers. Priority will be given to incarcerated persons sentenced by the courts to participate in rehabilitative programs.
RFP and Selection Process
On June 20, 2023, a Request for Proposals (RFP) was released for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment services for the incarcerated population at the Sonoma County adult detention facilities. An opportunity for questions regarding the RFP was given, and written responses were provided to prospective suppliers before the August 3, 2023, deadline. Three suppliers submitted proposals: Drug Abuse Alternatives Center, GEO Reentry Services, and the Wellness & Equity Alliance.
Suppliers were asked to explain how the program would address the organization and delivery of SUD treatment programming, specifically how the program will: establish goals and objectives for program participants, identify participant needs, provide treatment education, teach skills for a successful reentry into the community, reduce stress within the jail environment, support and reinforce current inmate programs, provide comprehensive reentry planning and support, collaborate with justice partners as related to participant needs and options for placement into community treatment programs, and course and staff requirements.Furthermore, suppliers were given the expectations for the job to be performed by the Behavioral Health Clinician/SUD Program Manager and the related administrative provisions for operation within the Sonoma County adult detention facilities.
The proposal evaluation committee consisted of six members representing the County Department of Health Services, Probation, and the Sheriff’s Office Detention Division.
The proposal from GEO Reentry ranked the highest based on experience, discharge planning, and program design. GEO Reentry has over four decades of experience delivering SUD programming to at-risk populations in custody settings and community-based reentry programs; proposed a high level of collaboration with community organizations prior to re-entry; and proposed more in-depth programming to the incarcerated adult population in need of SUD treatment in Sonoma County.
Therefore, the committee recommended that the Sheriff’s Office pursue an agreement with GEO Reentry Services for SUD treatment services at the Sonoma County adult detention facilities.
Proposed Agreement
Under the proposed Agreement, GEO Reentry will provide 4.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions to staff an in-custody SUD treatment program, including 1.0 FTE Clinical Supervisor/Program Manager, 1.0 FTE Reentry Counselor/Discharge Planner, and 2.0 FTE Alcohol and Other Drug Services (AODS) Counselors.
The Clinical Supervisor/Program Manager will provide clinical supervision, oversight, and clinical care of all substance abuse services provided on site, including integration of participants into the Sheriff’s existing Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program, and will also coordinate counseling and programming within the multidisciplinary team.
The Reentry Counselor/Discharge Planner will maintain a comprehensive network of community-based service providers, develop discharge and community release plans for each participant, and connect participants to needed services prior to release.
The Alcohol and Other Drugs Services (AODS) Counselors will facilitate group and individual SUD treatment, and document participant attendance, participation, and progress in case files. They will also conduct risk/needs assessments and create tailored Individualized Success Plans (ISPs) for each assigned participant. Finally, they will review ISPs with participants on a regular basis and document progress or revisions so that participants are gaining the life skills necessary to make a successful reentry into the community.
Approximately 6 - 8 classes will be scheduled each week to accommodate a total of up to 100 participants. In addition to these group classes, GEO Reentry will also make one-on-one, small group, and hybrid courses available when necessary.
GEO Reentry’s treatment program utilizes validated screening methods for SUDs. These tools include: the American Society of Addiction Medication (ASAM) Criteria, a mental health screen, and a criminal thinking scale. Once a participant is screened, they will work with GEO Reentry staff to create an Individualized Success Plan (ISP) tailored to the participants specific risk/ needs. Participants’ ISPs will be comprised of various evidence-based and best-practice programming. The curriculum will be made up of various components to address the participants’ identified risks/needs. These components are Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT), Individualized Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (ICBT), Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Substance Use Adults (CBI-SUA), Gender-Responsive Substance Use Disorder Curricula, Life Skills and Communication from The Change Companies, Wellness & Recovery from The Change Companies, and Virtual Treatment Services.
Participants will receive help identifying individual physical, social, medical, mental health, community, and spiritual needs; and will receive a variety of cognitive behavioral interventions to assist them in identifying and changing unhelpful thinking patterns, emotions, and behaviors. The program will offer stress and conflict reduction for participants in the detention environment by addressing underlying psychological and social issues for individuals to develop and maintain a wellness-oriented lifestyle, and by creating therapeutic environments based on safety, respect, and dignity. Through the GEO Reentry program, participants will develop the personal skills and patterns of behavior necessary for a successful reentry into the community as well as develop a discharge and community release plan. This plan will include long-term goals, and assistance from GEO Reentry staff in providing resources for individual needs upon release, including transportation, housing, financial resources, a job, education/vocational training, clothing, medical/mental health support, food, and self-help groups.
The proposed Agreement includes all the provisions outlined in the RFP for a three-year term, with an option to extend for two additional one-year periods. The cost for FY 23-24 is estimated to be $140,371 for the final three months of the fiscal year. FY 24-25 will include a 3% COLA for an estimated cost of $566,651. FY 25-26 will also include a 3% COLA for an estimated cost of $583,651. Optional extensions of the term, if exercised, will also include a 3% increase. Full funding for FY 23-24 and 24-25 has been approved by the Community Corrections Partnership (CCP). The Sheriff’s Office will continue to request annual funding from CCP for the proposed SUD treatment services. If CCP is unable to fund the program, the Sheriff’s Office will request appropriations from the General Fund.
All aspects of the SUD treatment program will conform with applicable standards and guidelines of the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 15 Minimum Standards for Local Detention Facilities; the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) Standards for Health Services in Jails; the National Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), and all other applicable laws, regulations, codes, and guidelines relating to health care services and programs in adult detention facilities in the State of California.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
N/A
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY23-24 Adopted |
FY24-25 Projected |
FY25-26 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$140,371 |
$566,651 |
$583,651 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$140,371 |
$566,651 |
$583,651 |
|
Funding Sources |
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|
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General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
$140,371 |
$566,651 |
$583,651 |
|
Fees/Other |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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General Fund Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$140,371 |
$566,651 |
$583,651 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
The Community Corrections Partnership (CCP) has approved appropriations for the proposed Agreement for both FY 23-24 and FY 24-25. Contract expenses for FY 23-24 represent the final three months of the year. The second and third years include a 3% COLA. If executed, the fourth and fifth years would each include a 3% COLA. The Sheriff’s Office will request ongoing funding from CCP for this program. There is no anticipated impact on the General Fund unless the CCP is unable to continue funding, at which point the Sheriff’s Office will return to the Board with a request.
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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:
Proposed Agreement for Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A