Agenda

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C. 42

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Robin Lipetzky, Public Defender
Date:	September 13, 2016

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Juvenile Reentry Legal Fellowship (NJDC Grant) Extension

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 09/13/2016

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Richard Loomis, 335-8093

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: September 13, 2016
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

Public Defender (0243): APPROVE Appropriations and Revenue Adjustment No. 5005 authorizing new revenue in the amount of $63,000.00 from the National Juvenile Defender Center, and appropriating it for contracted temporary help to continue hosting a Juvenile Post Disposition Reentry Legal Fellowship program in the Office of the Public Defender.

FISCAL IMPACT:

This grant will provide $60,000 contractor salary reimbursement and up to $3,000 travel reimbursement for a twelve (12) month fellowship program (10/01/16 through 09/30/17), as an extension to successful completion of an initial eight (8) month pilot program. A local direct match of $18,040 (for health and professional liability insurance), is required, which will be provided by reallocation of expenditure appropriations from expert witnesses (Non-County Professional Services). There is no increase in Net County Cost.

BACKGROUND:

At its meeting on February 9, 2016, the Board of Supervisors authorized the Public Defender to submit a grant application and execute an agreement with the National Juvenile Defender Center (NJDC) to host a Juvenile Post Disposition Reentry Legal Fellowship program.

The goal of this initiative is to support the success of justice-involved youth returning to their community by removing legal barriers to education, employment and housing. In this program NJDC provides funding for the Legal Fellow (attorney) salary, training and travel expenses, and the host organizations provide funding for fringe benefits, appropriate workspace and supplies.

Following successful completion of the initial program introduction, the NJDC has offered to fund continuation of the program for another twelve (12) months, under the same financial terms.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If the new revenue and appropriations are not authorized and approved, the Public Defender' Office will not have access to the additional help needed to address the legal representation needs of its Juvenile clients.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

The Fellowship program funded by this grant is designed to provide legal services to address barriers in employment and education that youthful offenders face in community reintegration following a juvenile delinquency placement or commitment. The ultimate measure of success of this program will be an increase in employment and education participation of post-disposition juvenile offenders in Contra Costa County.