COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Probation Department

DATE:

April 24, 2007

BOARD MEETING DATE:

May 15, 2007

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

Not Required

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Loren Buddress, Chief Probation Officer

SUBJECT:

Agreement with Rape Trauma Services (RTS)

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution:

1) Waiving the request for proposal process requirement for the provision of Rape Trauma Counseling services for adolescent girls assigned to the Gaining Independence and Reclaiming Lives Successfully (GIRLS) Program; and

2) Authorizing the President of the Board of Supervisors to execute an Agreement with Rape Trauma Services to provide trauma counseling services to adolescent females assigned to the GIRLS Program, for the period October 1, 2005 through September 30, 2008, for a maximum obligation of $112,251.

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.

Goal 7: Maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors.

Goal 8: Help vulnerable people – the aged, disabled, mentally ill, at risk youth, and others achieve a better quality of life.

The Agreement contributes to this commitment and these goals by providing rape trauma counseling services to adolescent females assigned to the GIRLS Program.

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2005-06
Actual

FY 2006-07
Target

Percentage of GIRLS Program participants who complete all Phase II and III group and individual rape trauma counseling sessions.

75%

80%

Percentage of parents/guardians indicating that their relationship with their daughter significantly improved due to their involvement with the GIRLS Program.

85%

90%

BACKGROUND:

The GIRLS Program was created to provide a wide variety of gender appropriate services, including counseling, training and instruction, to multi-recidivist adolescent females who have serious substance abuse issues, as well as issues with self esteem and life choice decision making. The program is comprised of three phases and may take up to18 months to complete. During Phase I the girls are in custody, and then they proceed to the non-custody phases II and III after reaching their stated goals in camp. To date there have been eight graduating classes and over 140 girls have received services. Many of the Girls Program participants have been the victims of sexual and other trauma and require comprehensive direct services including individual and group trauma counseling to facilitate their healing process. Under the most recent Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) grant obtained by Human Services Agency’s (HSA) Alcohol and Other Drug unit, rape trauma counseling services are fully funded for Phases II and III, which are the non-custody phases.

DISCUSSION:

RTS currently provides trauma counseling services to adolescent females who are in custody in the juvenile hall or Girls Camp through a contractual arrangement with the Probation Department. When girls complete their custody phase and move to the non-custody phases of the program it is critical that trauma counseling services continue to be provided. Phases II and III girls attend group discussions facilitated by counselors and learn about violence prevention, and then, when deemed appropriate, girls participate in individual trauma-focused counseling sessions conducted at RTS. In these sessions counselors seek to illuminate how a girl’s emotional responses and behaviors are connected to the hurts or trauma she has suffered. This Agreement with Rape Trauma Services (RTS), funded through the CSAT grant, provides trauma counseling services to adolescent females for Phases II and III.

Completion of this Agreement was originally delayed due to confusion about which department would draft the contract and oversee the provision of services, and further delayed until agreement was reached regarding contract language for the additional services to be provided in the non-custody phases.

Probation is requesting a waiver of the request for proposal process requirement for this Agreement for rape trauma counseling services for Phases II and III of the GIRLS Program as Rape Trauma Services was the specified provider in the CSAT grant covering Phases II and III.

The term of the Agreement is October 1, 2005 through September 30, 2008. The Agreement has been reviewed and approved by County Counsel and Risk Management. The contractor has assured compliance with the County's Contractor Employee Jury Service Ordinance, as well as all other contract provisions that are required by County Ordinance and administrative memoranda, including but not limited to insurance, hold harmless, non-discrimination and equal benefits.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The Agreement maximum obligation is $112,251 which is fully covered by the funds provided under the HSA’s CSAT grant for contracting these services for the three years provided for under the grant award. There is no Net County Cost associated with executing this Agreement. Funds for this Agreement are included in the Adopted FY 2006-07 Budget.