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June 6, 2023
ITEM TITLE
Agreement: Approve an Agreement with SBCS Corporation for Youth Counseling Services
Report Number: 23-0140
Location: No specific geographic location
Department: Police
Environmental Notice: The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution waiving the consultant selection process and approving an agreement with SBCS Corporation for youth counseling services.
SUMMARY
Since 1985, SBCS Corporation (formerly South Bay Community Services) has provided juvenile counseling services to the City. The Police Department is requesting to continue these services with SBCS Corporation which includes a Youth Counseling Program, Runa way Case Management Program and Homeless Youth Outreach Program.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change in the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
Thus, no environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
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DISCUSSION
SBCS Corporation and the Juvenile Services unit of the Police Department have worked together since 1985 providing a variety of serv ices for juveniles and their families . The proposed contract with SBCS will continue this relationship and formalize the agreement with the following services:
A minimum of 80 hours per week from Youth and Family Development Associates. These associates will work with juveniles who have been contacted, detained, or taken into custody by police officers for minor non -violent offenses such as vandalism, curfew violation, burglary, and petty thefts . In calendar year 2022, this component of the program aided 165 juveniles. This program has 93% of youth successfully completing their case plan goals and an impressive 2% recidivism rate. Management of reported cases of runaway juveniles. The counselors track the status of the case and offer counseling and interven tion services to the juveniles and their families . In 2022, the SBCS counselors provided services to 183 runaway cases.
Other services include individual and family therapy, anger management instruction, educational assistance, parenting classes, community services activities, gender-specific group counseling and substance abuse counseling.
Confidential progress reports will be issued at quarterly and annual intervals.
SBCS has tailored their programs to meet the needs of the City . Their experience, qualifi cations and community presence make them a unique service provider . The Police Department does not have comparable staff or expertise to provide adequate similar services. The cost for providing the same level of service “in-house” would be prohibitive . Furthermore, the Police Department has been satisfied with the level of service and professionalism from SBCS.
SBCS employees have all completed pre -employment testing and have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in the counseling field. Since these employees are located at the Police Department facility, they undergo a background check, which is performed by Police Department staff.
SBCS provides local youth counseling services approved by the County of San Diego court system. The City is not aware of alternate services capable of meeting the City’s youth counseling and community outreach requirements. For these reasons, staff recommends that the City’s normal consultant selection process be waived.
The cost for SBCS Corporation to prov ide youth counseling services is $120,000 per year . The proposed contract is effective July 1, 20 23 and will expire on June 30, 20 24, and may be extended an additional four years upon mutual agreement.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site-specific and consequently, the 500-foot rule found in California Code of Regulations Title 2, section 18702.2(a)(11), is not applicable to this decision for purposes of determining a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware and has not been informed by any City Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
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CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed agreement is effective July 1, 2023, resulting in no current-year fiscal impact.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
If approved, the agreement with SBCS Corporation would have an annual fiscal impact of $120,000 per fiscal year. These costs have been included in the Police Department’s Fiscal Year 2023 -24 adopted budget and will be included in subsequent budgets as part of the annual budget adoption process.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1: Agreement with SBCS Corporation for Youth Counseling Services Staff Contact: Jonathan Alegre, Police Department