DATE:
February 10, 2026
01
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
AUTHORIZE A-87 EXEMPTION TO COMPETITIVE PROCUREMENT TO APPROVE PUBLIC DEFENDER CONTRACT WITH PARTNERS FOR JUSTICE AND ESTABLISH APPROPRIATIONS (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
On February 28, 2023 (6), the San Diego County Board (Board) authorized a single source exemption to competitive procurement for Public Defender (PD) to contract with Partners for Justice (PFJ) for juvenile client advocate services for one year and three option years. The contract was executed effective July 1, 2023 and embedded PFJ client advocates within the Primary Public Defender's Juvenile Justice Unit. On average, approximately 39 juvenile clients and their families receive client advocate services. Services include assistance with long-term housing resources, education support and school enrollment, job training or placement services, benefits enrollment, medical advocacy, access to in-custody services, release planning and more. Due to the positive results this program has achieved in the juvenile justice division, PD requests to expand these services to its adult division, which will lead to better outcomes for clients and their families and increase attorney efficiency.
Prior to the implementation of the program with PFJ, deputy public defenders performed these tasks themselves. Since the implementation of PFJ's client advocate services to PD's juvenile justice division, attorney time spent on support services for clients has decreased, allowing them to focus their time more exclusively on legal work. Today's request includes authorizing the Director of Purchasing and Contracting to enter into a one-year contract with PFJ beginning March 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 with three option years through 2030 to provide three client advocates to assist PD's adult client program and establish appropriations of $400,000 from the Opioid Settlement Fund to the Office of the Public Defender, Services & Supplies.
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