The IWF Committee has annually recommended that the County contract with the San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools for basic skills instruction, GED testing, vocational counseling, information and referral services, and follow-up services to inmates in San Mateo County's correctional facilities. Provision of these services is encouraged under Title XV and by the State Board of Corrections during their annual jail inspection.
The IWF consists of monies held and expended for the welfare of inmates. It is unique for two reasons: inmates and their families provide income for the fund through commissary sales and telephone call charges; and disbursements from the fund must be used for the benefit, welfare and education of inmates and their families, pursuant to statute.
The Inmate Education Project's principal mission is to work with inmates who have not graduated from high school by preparing them for the GED test. Services are geared toward preparing the inmates to make a successful transition to employment or occupational programs upon their release.
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The Superintendent of Schools provides educational programs in detention facilities including classes in English, Math, Social Studies, Literature/Arts, Science, and Reading. At any given time, approximately 85-100 inmates participate in programs, which operate five (5) days a week, Monday through Friday. The sentenced inmate population has steadily utilized instructional classes that concentrate on GED preparation.
The IWF committee directed contract providers to make a 15% reduction in costs and services for FY 2003-04, and again for FY 2004-05, in order to bring contractual services costs back in line with available funding. Due to inflation and service population growth, annual contract expenses had been growing faster than the moderate growth in fund income, resulting in a structural imbalance that would have major service consequences if not affirmatively addressed. These reductions, while painful, successfully brought contract provider costs back in-line with fund revenues for FY 2005-06.
In FY 2006-07, the IWF committee contributed $142,525 to the inmate education program, via contract with the San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools. The proposed FY 2007-08 Agreement is for $149,651, an increase of $7,126, or 5%. The increase is necessary to keep up with the greater need and demand for GED testing, coordination and instruction services due to the increasing inmate population. Due to greater demand of services, additional staffing and materials are necessary.
The County has contracted with the Superintendent of Schools for these services since 1994. The Superintendent of Schools is the lead public education agency in San Mateo County, and in that capacity the Superintendent coordinates all special educational programs such as in-custody GED course work. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the County to waive the RFP process and continue to contract with the Superintendent of Schools on the basis of being a sole source provider in the County of San Mateo.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the resolution as to legal form. 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.
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The proposed Agreement is for an amount not-to-exceed $149,651 and a one (1) year term commencing July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008. Funding will come from the FY 2007-08 Inmate Welfare Fund. Therefore, there is no fiscal impact upon the County’s General Fund.
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