DATE:
May 19, 2026
35
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
INITIATE TRANSITION OF SAN PASQUAL ACADEMY (ACADEMY) AND CONTINUE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TO IDENTIFY FEASIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE OPTIONS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE ACADEMY (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
San Pasqual Academy (Academy) was built on 238 acres of land and opened its doors in 2001, as one of the most innovative child welfare and education partnerships in the nation at the time. It was designed to serve as an alternative placement option for dependents of the Juvenile Court, ages 12-17 and non-minor dependents up to age 19.
Over the years, State and federal reforms have redefined how youth are served in care. These reforms reduce reliance on residential care and have steadily moved the system toward prevention, family reunification, and community-based services. This, in turn, has led to a steady reduction in residential placements statewide and in San Diego County. These evolving system reforms and modern requirements have created an opportunity to reimagine the Academy campus in ways that center youth well-being while exploring how it can serve and benefit the broader community.
In recent years, the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, Child and Family Well-Being Department (CFWB) has responded to this evolution by engaging in strategic planning with current and former foster youth, key stakeholders, and the community in a collective effort to sustain the Academy's original vision and goals. This included exploring future campus uses that align with the changing statutory framework and community needs. While the Academy underwent early restructuring in 2021 to align with evolving child welfare policies and population needs, demand for this level of care continued to decline as systems increasingly prioritized prevention-focused, in-home, and family-strengthening supports.
On November 18, 2025 (5), the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) directed the Chief Ad...
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