Agenda

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C. 21

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Ellen McDonnell, Interim Public Defender
Date:	November 9, 2021

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Reclassify one Deputy Public Defender Fixed Term (25WB) and the incumbent to Deputy Public Defender II (25VA)

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 11/09/2021

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:
cc:	Sylvia Wong Tam

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: November 9, 2021
Monica Nino, County Administrator

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

ADOPT Position Adjustment Resolution No. 25742 to reclassify one (1) Public Defender Fixed-Term (25WB) (represented) position number 17880, and its incumbent to Deputy Public Defender II (25VA) (represented) in the Office of the Public Defender. (100% State)

FISCAL IMPACT:

No additional cost to General Fund. This position will be fully funded by the Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act/Youthful Offender Block Grant (JJCPA/YOBG), administered by the Contra Costa Probation Department.

BACKGROUND:

The Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act (JJCPA) provides state funding to counties for implementation of programs that have proven effective in reducing crime and delinquency among at-risk youth. The Youthful Offender Block Grant (YOBG) provides state funding to counties for custody and care of youth no longer eligible to be committed to the state's Department of Juvenile Justice. Allocations from this funding are used to enhance the capacity of County departments such as Probation and Mental Health, to be able to provide appropriate rehabilitative and supervision services to youthful offenders.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

Since 2019, one Public Defender Juvenile Education Advocate Attorney has been funded through the JJCPA/YOBG. This attorney works with youth impacted by the juvenile justice system to improve their educational outcomes, decrease youth homelessness, increase access to medical and mental health care, and increase employment opportunities. Currently, this position is a Deputy Public Defender, Fixed Term Attorney position. The incumbent has been in this role since funding began, and has extensive experience representing indigent youth on matters pertaining to juvenile educational advocacy and reentry. The position as Deputy Public Defender Fixed-Term should be reclassified to Deputy Public Defender II to accurately reflect the complexity of the specialized representation required for this position. The reclassification of this position will create a new path in the Deputy Public Defender II job classification for a Juvenile Education Advocate Attorney. It will continue to be funded by the JJCPA/YOBG, which is administered through the Probation Department.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If unapproved, the Public Defender's Office will not be able to retain an attorney with specialized knowledge in juvenile educational advocacy, nor will the incumbent be properly compensated for work being performed.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

N/A