SUBJECT
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AUTHORIZE COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS FOR COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY, COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT TEAMS AND JUVENILE DIVERSION, RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAMS, AND HOUSING AND RESOURCE NAVIGATION SERVICES (DISTRICTS: ALL)
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OVERVIEW
The San Diego County Probation Department (Probation) provides a comprehensive array of rehabilitative and supervision programs designed to support the safety, stability, and long-term success of justice-involved youth, at-promise youth (previously referred to as “at-risk youth”), and adults supervised by Probation throughout the County. These services are delivered through a combination of County operated programs and contracts with community-based providers.
To continue offering these critical evidence-based and community-centered services, Probation is requesting the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors to authorize four competitive solicitations for (1) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, (2) Community Assessment Teams and Juvenile Diversion, (3) Residential Treatment Programs, and (4) Housing and Resource Navigation. These contracted services have been implemented and refined over the past decade, with Board approval previously granted on November 17, 2020 (5, 6) for Community Assessment Teams and Juvenile Diversion, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, March 16, 2021 (4) for Residential Treatment Programs, and October 10, 2023 (1) for Housing and Resource Navigation. Current contracts are scheduled to expire between December 31, 2025, and June 30, 2026.
In Fiscal Year 2024-25, these services collectively supported over 2,000 clients, demonstrating measurable impacts on reducing recidivism, strengthening families, and promoting community stability. Through a continuum of care, clients receive targeted support: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy addresses criminal thinking and mental health challenges among justice-involved individuals; Community Assessment Teams and Juvenile Diversion Programs engage at-promise youth with prevention, early intervention, and restorative services delivered within their communities; Residential Treatment Programs provide 24/7 structured substance use treatment for adults under Probation supervision, and Housing and Resource Navigation services support clients experiencing housing instability by connecting them with community resources, career development opportunities, and social services for long-term independence.
If approved, this action will support the continued delivery of these services by authorizing the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting, to issue Requests for Proposals and award one or more contracts with an initial term of twelve (12) months, with four (4) one year option periods, and up to an additional six (6) months, if needed.
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 the provision of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy services for justice-involved individuals in San Diego County, and upon successful negotiation and determination of fair and reasonable price, award contracts to one or more qualified providers for an initial term of one (1) year, with four (4) one year option periods and up to an additional six (6) months if needed, subject to the availability of funds and continued need for the services, and to amend the contracts as needed to reflect changes in 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 the provision of Community Assessment and Juvenile Diversion Services for at-promise youth in San Diego County, and upon successful negotiation and determination of fair and reasonable price, award contracts to one or more qualified providers for an initial term of one (1) year, with four (4) one year option periods and up to an additional six (6) months if needed, subject to the availability of funds and continued need for the services, and to amend the contracts as needed to reflect changes in services and funding, subject to the approval of the Chief Probation Officer.
3. 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 the provision of Residential Treatment Program services for justice-involved individuals in San Diego County, and upon successful negotiation and determination of fair and reasonable price, award contracts to one or more qualified providers for an initial term of one (1) year, with four (4) one year option periods and up to an additional six (6) months if needed, subject to the availability of funds and continued need for the services, and to amend the contracts as needed to reflect changes in services and funding, subject to the approval of the Chief Probation Officer.
4. 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 the provision of Housing and Resource Navigation services for justice-involved individuals in San Diego County, and upon successful negotiation and determination of fair and reasonable price, award contracts to one or more qualified providers for an initial term of one (1) year, with four (4) one year option periods and up to an additional six (6) months if needed, subject to the availability of funds and continued need for the services, and to amend the contracts as needed to reflect changes in services and funding, subject to the approval of the Chief Probation Officer.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
This action supports the County’s commitment to equity by ensuring access to high quality, culturally responsive services for justice-involved individuals and at-promise youth across San Diego County. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Community Assessment Teams and Juvenile Diversion, Residential Treatment, and Housing & Resource Navigation are designed to reduce systemic disparities by addressing the complex social, behavioral, and economic factors that contribute to justice system involvement.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
This action supports the County’s long-term goals for a healthy, safe, and thriving community. By investing in programs that help individuals overcome challenges like substance use, housing instability, and justice system involvement, the County is promoting lasting personal and community stability. By continuing to fund these programs, the County is supporting a more cost effective, compassionate, and sustainable approach to public safety and community well-being.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this request are included in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Operational Plan for the Probation Department. If approved, this request will result in costs and revenue of up to $700,000 in Fiscal Year 2025-26. The funding sources are 2011 Realignment ($305,000), Pretrial Release Program ($322,350), and General Purpose Revenue ($69,350). If exercised, staff will include costs for option years in future Operational Plans for the Probation Department. 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
The San Diego County Probation Department (Probation) is committed to implementing evidence-based programs and community-based strategies that promote rehabilitation, support successful reentry into the community, and reduce recidivism for justice involved individuals. To achieve these goals, Probation offers a range of targeted programs and services, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Community Assessment Teams and Juvenile Diversion, Residential Treatment Programs, and Housing and Resource Navigation. These initiatives are designed to address the unique needs of individuals and families and create pathways for long-term success. The forthcoming solicitations will include outreach strategies and technical assistance opportunities to encourage participation by small and emerging local service providers, supporting the County’s 25% small business participation target.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
In 2011, the State of California approved Assembly Bill 109 (AB 109), and implemented Public Safety Realignment, which shifted the responsibility for supervising justice-involved adults from the State to counties. In response, San Diego County emphasized the use of evidence-based practices, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, to support the justice-involved populations in successfully completing supervision and permanently exiting the criminal justice system.
CBT is a structured, evidence-based intervention designed to address criminal thinking patterns, emotional regulation, trauma symptoms, and interpersonal skills. Since 2014, Probation has contracted with service providers to offer CBT services to justice-involved clients, which include needs assessments, individual and group therapy sessions, and coordination with Probation Officers to align treatment with Probation case plan goals.
The current contract for CBT services expires on June 30, 2026. If approved, today’s request will authorize the Director of the Department of Purchasing and Contracting to issue a competitive solicitation and award one or more contract(s) for an initial term of one (1) year, with four (4) one year option periods and up to an additional six (6) months, if needed.
Community Assessment Teams (CAT) and Juvenile Diversion (JD)
San Diego County’s juvenile justice system has experienced a consistent decline in the number of youths entering formal justice system involvement over the past decade. From 2012 to 2016, the number of youths under Probation supervision declined by nearly forty percent, juvenile arrest rates dropped by fifty-three percent, and juvenile hall populations decreased by forty-eight percent. By 2021, the juvenile arrest rate reached a seven-year low, falling to 5.8 arrests per 1,000 youth ages 10-17, which is an 8 percent decrease from 2020. Overall juvenile arrests and referral trends continued to reflect declines since 2015. These sustained declines reflect both statewide and national trends and reflect the impact of investing in community-based strategies that emphasize prevention, early intervention, and restorative programs.
The Community Assessment Teams (CAT) and Juvenile Diversion Programs are well established, prevention and early intervention focused services that help reduce the number of youths entering or re-entering the juvenile justice system. These complementary, community-based programs utilize a holistic, trauma informed approach to addressing the underlying factors that contribute to justice system involvement and provide support that strengthen both youth and their families.
Established in 1998 under the Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act (JJCPA), the Community Assessment Teams serve youth ages 6 to 18 who exhibit at-risk behaviors such as truancy or early substance use or are facing challenging circumstances such as family conflict, poverty, or academic struggles. Youth are typically referred to by parents, schools, law enforcement, community-based agencies, Probation, and self-referral. CAT services are regionally based and include intakes and assessments, individualized case management, counseling, academic support, behavioral interventions, parent engagement, pro-social activities, and leadership development. The program helps youth and families address challenges early, before deeper system involvement occurs.
The Juvenile Diversion Program, developed in the early 1990s, provides law enforcement agencies with an alternative to filing charges against youth committing low-level, non-violent misdemeanor offenses. Referred youth participate in structured diversion plans in alignment with County Juvenile Diversion protocols. Diversion services include intensive case management, counseling, behavioral health support, substance use education, community service, and family mediation. The goal is to help youth build accountability, repair harm, and avoid formal processing through the juvenile justice system.
Based on the most recently published data from San Diego County’s Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act (JJCPA) evaluations, 2,166 youth completed the CAT and Juvenile Diversion Programs during Fiscal Year 2022-2023, and 99% did not have a sustained petition or probation referral, demonstrating the effectiveness of early intervention in reducing further justice system involvement. Participants also showed measurable gains on the Family Well-Being Assessment (FWBA), indicating increased strengths and reduced risk factors over the course of the program, such as improvements in mental health, children’s education, and legal history.
Together, Community Assessment Teams and Juvenile Diversion Services demonstrate the impact of early, community-based intervention. These programs reduce justice system involvement, strengthen youth and family resilience, and support San Diego County’s commitment to evidence-based juvenile justice reform.
The current contract for Community Assessment Teams and Juvenile Diversion services will expire on June 30, 2026. If approved, today’s request will authorize the Director of the Department of Purchasing and Contracting to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Community Assessment Teams and Juvenile Diversion Program and award one or more contracts for an initial term of one (1) year, with four (4) one year option periods and up to an additional six (6) months, if needed.
Residential Treatment Programs (RTP)
RTPs are a core component of the County’s continuum of care for addressing substance use disorders (SUD) and related criminogenic needs among justice-involved adults. These programs serve individuals assessed as high risk or who are court-ordered into treatment and provide them with a critical alternative to incarceration. Probation clients not eligible for services under the County’s Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System receive support through these contracted RTPs.
Contractors provide around-the-clock services that include needs assessments, individual and group therapy, relapse prevention, discharge planning, and aftercare. Services are trauma-informed and aligned with Probation case plans to support sustained recovery and reduced criminal behavior.
The current RTP contracts are scheduled to expire on June 30, 2026. Probation has determined a
multiple award Request for Proposals (RFP) as the most appropriate procurement method to
continue these services for residential treatment program services. Today’s request will authorize the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting, to issue a competitive
solicitation for Residential Treatment Program services and award contracts as needed for an
initial term of one (1) year, with four (4) one year option periods and up to an additional six (6) months, if needed.
Housing and Resource Navigation (HRN) Services
Stable housing is fundamental to reducing recidivism, with clients facing housing instability, unemployment, and difficulty accessing services upon exiting the justice system. In 2021, Probation developed and procured the Housing and Resource Navigation program to assist adult clients with identifying and obtaining permanent housing, career development opportunities, and critical resources needed to successfully exit the justice system. In 2023, Probation expanded the program to include Supervised Own Recognizance (SOR) clients, promoting successful pretrial release from custody through connections to supportive services. This program provides peer-based navigation and support tailored to each client’s unique needs.
Contractors assist clients by developing individualized service plans with goals to secure permanent housing, access employment and educational opportunities, and obtain vital documents. The program employs a trauma-informed, culturally responsive approach, using peer navigators with lived experience to build trust and engagement.
Housing and Resource Navigation services help improve long-term outcomes by addressing root causes of justice involvement. The current contract for these services expires on December 31, 2025. Today’s request will authorize the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting, to issue a competitive solicitation for Housing and Resource Navigation Services and award one or more contracts as needed for an initial term of one (1) year, with four (4) one-year option periods and up to an additional six (6) months, if needed.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed action supports the Equity, Community, and Justice Initiatives of the County of San Diego’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan by investing in services that promote rehabilitation, prevention, and community reintegration for justice-involved and at-risk individuals.
Respectfully submitted,
ebony n. shelton
Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
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