SUBJECT Title
TitleAUTHORIZE COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS FOR INTERIM HOUSING AND REGIONAL MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIANS SERVICES (DISTRICTS: ALL) Title
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OVERVIEW
The County of San Diego Probation Department (Probation) provides a comprehensive array of programs and services to Probation clients and their families throughout the County in Probation facilities and in the community. These services are delivered through County-operated programs, as well as through contracted services.
Adults and youth supervised by Probation may be at-risk of homelessness and in need of housing assistance upon their release from custody. Probation provides interim (short-term) housing solutions to assist clients, ages 18 and above, as part of community reentry assistance using contracts with nine housing service providers. Using these contracts, probation officers link clients to stable, sober, and drug-free housing to support their successful reentry into the community.
Youth supervised by Probation may receive behavioral health assessments by clinicians utilizing standardized screening tools. Based on the results of the assessments, clinicians can refer youth to behavioral health programs such as substance use disorder or other ancillary services such as educational, housing, or social services.
Today’s actions request the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors to authorize two competitive solicitations for contracts to continue providing interim housing programs and regional mental health clinician services. These programs support Probation’s mission of fulfilling clients’ needs, using evidence-based and best practices in the continuum of care, fostering positive outcomes for Probation clients, and promoting enhanced public safety.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
1. In accordance with Section 401, Article XXIII of the County Administrative Code, authorize the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting, to issue a competitive solicitation for interim housing services, and upon successful negotiation and determination of fair and reasonable price, award contracts for an initial term of one (1) year with up to four (4) one-year options and an additional six months if needed, subject to the availability of funds and a need for the services, and to amend the contract as needed to reflect changes to services and funding, subject to the approval of the Chief Probation Officer.
2. In accordance with Section 401, Article XXIII of the County Administrative Code, authorize the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting, to issue a competitive solicitation for regional mental health clinician services, and upon successful negotiation and determination of fair and reasonable price, award contracts for an initial term of one (1) year with up to four (4) one-year options and an additional six months if needed, subject to the availability of funds and a need for the services, and to amend the contract as needed to reflect changes to services and funding, subject to the approval of the Chief Probation Officer.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Today’s requested actions will provide services to County of San Diego Probation (Probation) clients at risk of experiencing homelessness, and or those with behavioral health conditions. Probation’s Interim Housing program supports justice-involved clients’ successful re-entry into the community by providing residential facilities, social benefits enrollment assistance, and assistance towards permanent housing. Probation’s regional mental health clinicians support justice-involved clients and their families by providing mental health and trauma informed services.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Today’s proposed actions contributes to the County of San Diego’s (County’s) Sustainability Goals of improving the quality of life of clients through mental health support provided by clinicians and support equitable access to interim and permanent housing. These services will strengthen individual resiliency, promote client self-sufficiency, and improve client health and well-being. These actions will serve to strengthen the County’s efforts to maximize sustainability practices and have a long-term, positive impact in the lives of justice-involved clients and the community.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact for today's request. Funds for this request are included in FY 2024-25 Operational Plan for Probation Department based on Community Corrections Sub-Account and Community Corrections Performance Incentives Act. After evaluating the proposals submitted, the County of San Diego Probation Department will return to the Board, if needed, with any recommendations for additional appropriations prior to contract award. There will be no change in net General Fund costs and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
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ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
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BACKGROUND
Interim Housing
Access to safe and stable housing supports the County of San Diego Probation Department’s (Probation’s) clients in successfully completing their probation terms while being supervised in the community. Probation currently contracts with nine housing service providers to deliver short term housing assistance to adult and youth clients with an identified housing need, using available state funds.
Adults supervised on Post Release Community Supervision, Mandatory Supervision, and Formal Probation receive needs assessments through their Probation officers or at Probation’s Community Transition Center. Individuals with an identified housing need may be able to access up to ninety (90) days of housing assistance. Current contracts serve approximately 220 adult clients per month.
Youth over the age of 18 who are supervised by Probation and are reentering the community following a period of custody in local juvenile facilities can be eligible for short term housing assistance as well. Current contracts serve approximately 10 youth clients per month.
On July 12, 2021, the State of California enacted Senate Bill (SB) 129 that authorized state funding for counties for both one-time and ongoing activities to support pretrial release and service programs. These programs provide housing supportive services to help clients find and secure housing, offers the Superior Court alternatives to jail, helps clients avoid unnecessary detention before trial, and reduces unnecessary jail costs. Pretrial clients supervised by Probation can obtain interim housing while they await adjudication. Current contracts serve approximately 10 pretrial clients per month.
The new interim housing contracts will include requirements to confirm whether a client has arrived for their initial check-in and send exit reports in a timely manner. Currently, exit reports can take anywhere from a day to a week after a client leaves to be received by staff. Ideally, the report should come within 24 hours; anything more than that will impact the Probation officer’s ability to monitor and track the client after they leave their housing. Probation seeks to partner with providers who can expand their capabilities to accept a more diverse clientele, including clients experiencing disabilities and/or in need of mental health services. Contractors will support progress towards educational or employment goals, connections to social, physical, and behavioral health services, and will facilitate transition to permanent housing. Contractors will collaborate with the client’s assigned Probation officer to ensure clients are working toward their case plan goals.
The current interim housing contracts expire on December 31, 2025, and Probation has determined a Request for Proposals (RFP) as the most appropriate procurement method to continue these services. A multiple award RFP will allow Probation to award a wide range of as-needed contracts and provide Probation officers timely access to housing services for their clients.
Regional Mental Health Clinicians
On March 17, 2015 (2), the Board of Supervisors authorized the Chief Probation Officer to apply for and accept Juvenile Mentally Ill Offender Crime Reduction Program (JMIOCR) grant funds from the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC). The BSCC awarded Probation the grant funds to implement mental health assessments of all youth entering the criminal justice system and to develop protocols for appropriate interventions. Probation utilized a portion of these funds for regional clinician services. Due to the value added by the regional clinicians to the continuum of services for youth clients along with a recommendation from the Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council, Probation decided to continue providing this service. The Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act (JJCPA) funds these services.
In the Central, East, North, and South regions of San Diego, a minimum of four (4) full-time licensed, or license eligible, clinicians perform behavioral health assessments using standardized screening tools. A minimum of four (4) licensed, or license eligible, clinicians are requested to ensure at least one clinician is on-site and available to perform behavioral health assessments at each region of San Diego County. Based on assessment results, clinicians facilitate referrals to designated programs, including behavioral health services (e.g. identified mental health programs and substance use disorder treatment programs) and other ancillary services (e.g. physical, educational, employment, housing, or social services) for youth supervised by Probation. Contracted clinicians are educated in trauma informed care and are capable of treating dual diagnosis clients which are clients with both a mental disorder and substance use disorder. Regional clinicians assist youth and families with underlying needs and appropriately link youth to public and private community treatment service options.
This continuum of services inclusive of assessment, case management, care coordination, and treatments for mental health support, assists in the transition from custody to the community. As a result of these services, Probation can continue to promote positive youth development that helps youth successfully exit the juvenile justice system. The current contract for regional mental health clinicians expires on June 30, 2025, and Probation has determined a Request for Proposals (RFP) as the most appropriate procurement method to continue these services.
Today’s actions request the Board to authorize the Department of Purchasing and Contract to issue competitive solicitations and the award of contracts for interim housing and regional mental health clinician services, both for an initial term of one (1) year with up to four (4) one-year options and an additional six (6) months if needed, and to amend contracts as needed to reflect changes in services and funding.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed actions support the Equity, Empower, Community, and Justice Initiatives of the County of San Diego’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan by providing opportunities for equitable and supportive housing and health services, supporting services to assist justice-involved individuals transitioning back into the community, improving their quality of life, and reducing the risks of criminal recidivism.
Respectfully submitted,
EBONY N. SHELTON
Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
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