To: Board of Supervisors
From: Esa Ehmen-Krause, County Probation Officer
Report Title: Gift Cards for the Probation Department’s Evidence Based Incentives Program
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Purchasing Agent, or designee, on behalf of the Probation Department, to execute a purchase order with BlackHawk Network Inc., for 105 ChevronTexaco gift cards in an amount of $50 each, 150 Uber gift cards in an amount of $50 each, 120 Walmart gift cards in an amount of $50 each, 94 Target gift cards in an amount of $50 each, 105 ExxonMobil gift cards in an amount of $50 each, 25 Amazon gift cards in an amount of $50 each, and a $50 shipping fee, to support the Probation Department's Evidence Based Incentive Program for probation clients who have attained rehabilitative goals.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total cost of the gift cards is $30,000 and will be 34% funded by AB 109 Public Safety Realignment, 33% funded by Community Corrections Performance Incentive (SB 678) and 33% funded by Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act (JJCPA) revenue.
BACKGROUND:
The Probation Department uses Evidence Based Practices (EBP) to focus on the utilization of effective communication and rehabilitative interventions with clients to promote positive behavioral change. This has created a behavioral management system that offers defined sanctions, incentives and interventions which are responsive to the individual risk and needs of the probationer. Incentives, such as gift cards, have been proven to be a positive motivator for sustained behavioral change and a necessary component to a successful behavioral management system. Scientific evidence has shown, much like sanctions, rewards must match the level of achievement, thus requiring the Probation Department to implement appropriate, low and moderate rewards.
As a result, the Probation Department is requesting to purchase $30,000 worth of gift cards as specified herein: one hundred and five (105) ChevronTexaco gift cards in an amount of $50 each, one hundred and fifty (150) Uber gift cards in an amount of $50 each, one hundred and twenty (120) Walmart gift cards in an amount of $50 each, ninety-four (94) Target gift cards in an amount of $50 each, one hundred and five (105) ExxonMobil gift cards in an amount of $50 each, twenty-five (25) Amazon gift cards in an amount of $50 each, and a $50 shipping fee.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If this action is not approved, the Department will not be able to provide these incentives to individuals on probation which will have an impact on the overall fidelity of the behavior management system and the ability to reward probationers for meeting their rehabilitative goals.