To: Board of Supervisors
From: Esa Ehmen-Krause, County Probation Officer
Report Title: Inter-County Placement Amendment County of Sonoma
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the County Probation Officer, or designee, to execute a contract amendment with the County of Sonoma for the continued placement of wards in their facility at the increased annual rate of $403 per ward per day for the period July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027
FISCAL IMPACT:
This is 100% funded by the Juvenile Justice Realignment Block Grant.
BACKGROUND:
With the closure of the Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), the responsibility for youth offenders transferred from state to local jurisdictions. DJJ was one of the few facilities in the State that offered Sex Offender Treatment to juveniles. To continue this same specialized treatment, local jurisdictions worked together to develop a regional model for Juvenile Sex Offender Treatment. Sonoma County has been designated as one of the regional locations to provide this program.
The Probation Department has had an agreement with the County of Sonoma since 2021. In the renewal agreement, effective September 1, 2024, the County of Sonoma added language to the contract to allow it to renew in perpetuity with the review of rates each new year. Each renewal will also align with the fiscal year, from July 1st through June 30th.
For Fiscal Year 2026-27, the daily placement rate has increased to $403 per ward per day from $390 of the previous fiscal year. The Department is requesting Board approval of the updated rate and authorization to execute the amendment reflecting the new rate for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, to ensure continued access to specialized juvenile sex offender treatment services.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If unapproved, Probation will be unable to place juvenile sex offenders at the County of Sonoma facility for treatment.