Agenda

Return

C. 54

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Diana Becton, District Attorney
Date:	March 21, 2023

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grant Application – Transitional Aged Youth Diversion

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 03/21/2023

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
Ken Carlson, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Alana Mathews, (925) 957-8749

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: March 21, 2023
Monica Nino, County Administrator

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the District Attorney, or designee, to apply for and accept the Byrne Discretionary Community Project grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 for a Transitional Aged Youth Diversion Program for the period July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.

FISCAL IMPACT:

County will receive up to $1,000,000 over the entire grant period. No match is required.

BACKGROUND:

The Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grant program aims to support projects designated for funding in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-328) to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, to prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and to assist victims of crime (other than compensation). The Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grant program will be administered by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP).

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office seeks $1,000,000 grant funding to implement the first post-arrest, pre-charge diversion program in the County aimed at prevention over incarceration for Transitional Aged Youth (TAY), age 18-25. The primary goal of TAY Diversion is to implement a ground-breaking model for rethinking how the developmental characteristics of transitional aged youth should inform the criminal justice response to this population. Eligible young adults, age 18-25, may participate in the TAY Diversion Program instead to regular criminal court process, with the aim of supporting positive life outcomes and avoiding recidivism.

The main idea of Young Adult Diversion is to implement an alternative pathway for TAY who are arrested for specified felonies and serious misdemeanors. The Young Adult Diversion is part of a larger movement to recognize young adults in the justice system as a distinct group with distinct needs. TAY are disproportionately represented in the justice system. Disproportionately arrested, and have the highest recidivism rate of any group. The Young Adult Diversion Program is a shift away from a punitive response, and instead a focus on healing, restoration, and accountability. Youth will be provided with wraparound services that are trauma informed, culturally relevant, and developmentally appropriate.

The primary goal is to redirect youth from the criminal justice system, reduce the pipeline into the justice system, reduce recidivism, increase victim satisfaction, and reduce disparities in the justice system. In reducing recidivism, it is hoped that this program will ultimately reduce resources that need to be devoted to the corrections system and help more young individuals more productively and successfully thrive over the course of their lives, contributing to the general welfare of their families and communities.

Today's action authorizes the County Administrator, or designee, to submit the grant proposal to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) for consideration.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

The County will be unable to apply for the Byrne Discretionary Community Project grant to fund the first post-arrest, pre-charge diversion program for transitional aged youth in the County.