COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Probation Department

DATE:

6/1/05

BOARD MEETING DATE:

6/21/05

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Loren Buddress, Chief Probation Officer

SUBJECT:

Application for Renewal of the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution accepting the conditions of the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant and authorizing the Chief Probation Officer to submit and execute the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant to fund the Victim Impact Awareness (VIA) Program.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure Basic Health and Safety for All

Goals: 6, 7, 8. The Victim Impact Awareness program educates offenders on the impact of criminal behavior on victims and the community, and facilitates mediation sessions between the victim and offender. The program emphasizes restorative justice for victims and behavior modification of offenders to prevent further involvement in the juvenile justice system. It contributes to safe and supportive neighborhoods, maintaining public safety, and changing behavior.

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2004-05
Actual

FY 2005-06
Projected

% of program youth with behavior contract at intake

100%

100%

% of program participants completing behavior contract with no violations

94%

96%

BACKGROUND:

In 2003, a Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant allotted $115,112 to the County and the Probation Department to operate a Victim Impact Awareness (VIA) Program. The program uses information, exercises, and presentations by victims to educate offenders on the impact of their behavior. This is the third year of operation. Funds have been reduced to $54,642 over the past three years, however, the program has continued by reducing contract costs and absorbing a portion of probation officer costs into the probation budget.

Youth under the age of 17 in the northern and southern part of San Mateo County have been identified by the Juvenile Crime Enforcement Coalition (JCEC) as having extremely high needs and a disproportionately high impact on county services. Young offenders in these areas contribute to a major portion of overall probation referrals (67%) and significant portion of the violence (53%) in this county. The VIA program targets these youth and prescribes exercises (co-facilitated by probation officers and community-based counselors) focused on developing a sense of responsibility and an understanding of the harm inflicted as result of their actions. The program emphasizes restorative justice through restitution and or reparation to the community.

Victim Impact Awareness program participants have a high completion rate and mediations have been effective in ensuring offender involvement and victim restoration. Approximately 100 youth go through this program per year.

DISCUSSION:

Adopting this resolution to accept the conditions of the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant for FY 2005-06 and authorize the Chief Probation Officer to submit and execute the award will allow the continuation of funding to community-based co-facilitators involved in the Victim Impact Awareness (VIA) program. This application is required by the Board of Corrections for program funding renewal. No changes to the type or level of service are included.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The Juvenile Accountability Block Grant award for $54,642 will partially fund the Victim Impact Awareness Program in FY 2005-06. To receive these funds, the County agrees to a grant match in the amount of $6,071. Matching funds have been included in the Probation Department’s Recommended FY 2005-06.