BACKGROUND:
This Contract meets the social needs of County’s population by providing mental health services and research to explore the effectiveness of service modalities to Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) in Contra Costa County. CSECs are nearly always traumatized sexual assault victims; yet, exploited youth do not always see themselves as victims and as a result often do not respond to the same approaches to treatment as other sexual assault victims. Interventions may be more effective if youth are: a) assisted to recognize the physical risks associated with the sex trade and b) provided incentive and/or opportunities to learn to earn a living through paid job training. Addressing trauma and other psychosocial issues may also need to occur.
On October 6, 2015, the Board of Supervisors approved Contract #74-440-3 with Community Violence Solutions to provide support and research on engaging and supporting sexually exploited youth, for the period from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016, which included a six-month extension through December 31, 2016. This Board Order includes the purchase of gift cards, stipends and incentives for the CSEC youth who participate in the project.
Approval of Novation Contract #74-440-4, replaces the automatic extension allowing the Contractor to continue to provide outreach, support, research, service delivery model development and provider training in order to reach sexually exploited youth in Contra Costa County, through June 30, 2017.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If this contract is not approved, CSECs will not have access to specialized outreach, education and job training opportunities provided by Contractor’s program.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
This program supports the following Board of Supervisors’ community outcomes: (1) “Children Ready for and Succeeding in School”; (4) “Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing”; and (5) “Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families”. Expected program outcomes include an increase in positive social and emotional development as measured by the Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS).