CITY OF OAKLAND
CITY HALL • 1 FRANK H. OGAWA PLAZA, 3rd FLOOR • OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA 94612
Office of the Mayor (510) 238-3141 Honorable Libby Schaaf Fax (510) 238-4731
Mayor
Letter of Appointment
May 12, 2022
The Honorable City Council
One Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Second Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Dear President Bas and members of the City Council:
Pursuant to City Charter Section 601, the Mayor has appointed the following persons as members of the following board or commission, subject to City Council confirmation:
Public Safety and Services Oversight Commission
Yoana Tchoukleva, to the Public Safety and Services Violence Prevention Oversight Commission, serving as the District Four representative for the term beginning April 21, 2021 and ending April 20, 2023, filling the seat previously held by Edwillis Wright.
Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
Sincerely,
Libby Schaaf
Mayor
Submit Date: Mar 07, 2022
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Public Safety & Services Violence Prevention Oversight Commissions - 2014: Submitted Interests & Experiences
Yoana E Tchoukleva
Mobile: (301) Mobile: (301)
San Francisco District Attorney's
Office
Assistant District Attorney,
Restorative Justice Unit
Yoana E Tchoukleva
Please tell us how your qualifications and participation will relate to the requested board and/or commission's mission.
Dear all:
Thank you so much for considering my application for a seat on the SSOC. I am an attorney, policy analyst and restorative justice circle keeper committed to realizing a community-led vision for justice, healing and true community safety.
As an immigrant from Bulgaria and someone who survived
violence at an early age, I am forever grateful to Oakland for giving me a home and a community to belong to. And at the same time, I am tired of seeing people I love lose their lives to gun violence or to violence perpetrated by our criminal legal system. I know there is a different way forward. And I know that as the Public Safety and Services Oversight Commission, this group of amazing public servants can help pave a new way, a way where one person’s safety does not have to mean another person’s incarceration, where everyone— especially those most at risk of harm—can have their voices heard and their needs met.
Most of my work over the last ten years relates directly to the mission of the SSOC to improve public safety in Oakland. While serving as a Litigation Fellow at the ACLU of Northern California, I drafted a comprehensive strategy for police reform in the Bay Area which included best practices from around the country. Simultaneously, I worked to challenge excessive and racially discriminatory practices, like charging youth as adults and imposing life without parole sentences on young people. Later at Equal Justice Society, my work focused on disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline and drafting legislation that made implicit bias training a requirement for all attorneys and judges in the state. Through both litigation and policy advocacy, I tried to change laws that perpetuated, instead of ending, the cycle of trauma leading to violence leading to more trauma and more violence, that we seem to be so deeply caught in.
In
Restorative Justice (RJ), I found a practice that addressed some of the root causes of violence in our society—trauma and lack of resources. I saw how RJ processes give people the tools and support necessary to address their material needs while also helping them grow and come to a place of self- accountability. I got to experience firsthand the kind of “community-focused violence intervention and prevention strategies” that 40% of Measure Z funding is allocated for. In collaboration with BOSS, Eastside Arts Alliance and Just Cities, I had the opportunity to hold reentry circles and create a space for folks to learn, heal and become the leaders that our communities need. MH First, started by APTP, showed me what a public health approach to mental crises looks like. RJOY showed me what it takes to hold healing circles in juvenile hall and juvenile camp right here in Alameda County.
Through all of these
experiences, I heard bits and pieces of what community members most impacted by violence want:
money for funeral expenses, a safe way for their kids to go to school, job opportunities, healing spaces that are culturally relevant, art, dancing, music, safe spaces to hang out during the pandemic. All of these ideas became part of a vision for a Restorative and Transformative Justice (RJTJ) infrastructure that lied at the heart of the policy recommendations that I and other members of the Alternatives Advisory Board presented to the Oakland City Council through the Reimagining Public Safety process. As a member of the Alternatives Advisory Board, I worked with survivors, system-impacted folks and RJ circle keepers to put together a comprehensive slate of recommendations that included building a RJTJ web of support in Oakland, complete with RJ Centers, healing spaces, more easily accessible health, mental health, work, housing and education opportunities. Nine months after these recommendations were adopted and the Department of Violence Prevention received additional funding, I am excited to see how we can collectively continue to realize the vision reflected in these recommendations.
In addition to understanding
the issues that the SSOC was created to address, I have experience working with the types of agencies that come before the Commission. In my current role as Assistant District Attorney in the Restorative Justice Unit of the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, I liaise often with law enforcement personnel, victim advocates, court staff and other city staff. To me, expanding access to restorative justice is only possible when we work collaboratively, have difficult conversations and choose to move forward together.
I am thrilled by this opportunity to serve my community as a Commissioner on the SSOC. As a resident of District 1, I am applying for the District 1 seat but I am also open to serving in the “at-large seat” if that better fits the needs of the Commission. Please do not hesitate to reach out of you have additional questions.
With gratitude,
Yoana Tchoukleva (formally Ioana Tchoukleva)
Please submit your resume or curriculum vitae. You may upload a document. (A Word format is preferred.) Alternatively, you may paste the text of your resume in the field provided below.
Yoana E Tchoukleva
Upload a Resume
Please paste the text of your resume or curriculum vitae below.
SUMMARY Civil rights attorney, restorative justice circle keeper and policy analyst dedicated to advancing a community-led vision for justice, healing and transformation. Currently working at the Restorative Justice Unit of the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office. Bringing ten years of organizing experience, five years of litigation experience and two years of legislative advocacy experience in the areas of racial justice, criminal justice reform, juvenile justice, education equity and post-conviction relief.
EDUCATION University of California, Berkeley, School of Law Juris Doctor, International Law Certificate, May 2014 Honors and Awards Certificate of Recognition for Commitment to Advancing Justice Through Public Interest Work Post-Conviction Advocate Award of 2013-2014 The Promise Award of 2013 by the
Association for Dispute Resolution of Northern California American Jurisprudence Award of 2013 for the International Human Rights Clinic Seminar Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans of 2012 Prosser Award (second highest grade) of 2012 in Constitutional Law Leadership Positions Post-
Conviction Advocacy Project: Founder (legal project that trains law students to represent lifers in parole hearings; dozens of people have been released on parole thanks to the project’s ongoing work at Berkeley Law) Boalt Hall Committee for Human Rights: Co-Chair and Founder of International Human Rights Workshop Restorative Justice Committee: Chair; Certified Restorative Justice Practitioner at San Quentin State Prison California Law Review: Notes & Comments Editor (published case note on CLR’s online platform Circuit) National Lawyers Guild: Law School Vice President of the Bay Area Chapter and Legal Observer
The University of Chicago Bachelor of Arts, with Distinction, in International Studies, Minor in Human Rights, May 2010
RECENT AWARDS, BOARD POSITIONS AND PUBLICATIONS
Current Leadership Positions 2020-2021 City of Oakland Reimagining Public Safety Task Force:
Advisory Board Member 2020-2021 New Leaders Council Oakland: Institute Advisor and Board Member 2019-2021 The Embodiment Project: Chair of the Board of Directors 2019-2021 YES! Jams: Re- Storying Justice Jam Facilitator
2019-2020 Social Justice Collective: Circle Keeper and Project Co- Designer with BOSS, Just Cities and Eastside
Awards Unsung Hero Award of 2016 for outstanding
service to California’s lifer population, UnCommon Law
Rights and Leadership Award of 2015,
International Action Network for Gender Equity & Law Select Publications and Interviews “In Conversation with Yoana Tchoukleva”, Women Advocating for Change, August 2020 “Defunding the Police: Brief Overview of History, Models, and the Demands of the Movement”, EJS, June 2020 “Re- Imagining Oakland: Building the First Restorative City in the Country”, LinkedIn & Medium, Written in March 2018, Updated in June 2020 “Releasing More People From Prison Will Make All of Us Safer, Not Less So”, Medium, April 2020 “Implicit Bias Bills Package Advances in the California Legislature”, EJS News, September 2019
EXPERIENCE
San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, San Francisco, CA Sept.
2021 – Present Assistant District Attorney, Restorative Justice Unit Guiding the Office in expanding
Restorative Justice (“RJ”) diversion to incidents involving young adults, both pre- and post-charge, building toward making RJ a primary intervention rather than alternative program reserved for the few.
Preparing internal policies and procedures, evaluating cases for RJ eligibility, contacting victims, monitoring progress of cases, training staff and partners on RJ practices. Collaborating with community members and organizations, part of the San Francisco RJ Collaborative, to build a citywide RJ ecosystem aimed at preventing violence and ending cycles of harm. Previously served as a volunteer attorney at the RJ Unit for a year beginning in September 2020.
Equal Justice Society, Oakland, CA
Jan. 2019 – July
2020 Judge Constance Baker Motley Civil Rights Fellow Wrote two bills that were signed into law—AB 241 and AB 242—making implicit bias training a requirement for all judges, attorneys and healthcare professionals in California. Served as co-counsel in Sanders, et al., vs. Kern High School District, drafting demand letters, performing legal research, presenting at community forums, meeting with clients, and developing legal strategy to ensure compliance with settlement agreement. Spearheaded a project to create a progressive pipeline to the federal judiciary; prepared Eva Paterson’s written testimony to Congress on the rise of white nationalism; outlined a local municipality’s legal pathway to implementing race-conscious programs in contracting and employment; supported EJS’ efforts to address systemic racial bias; and drafted EJS’ position statement on defunding the police and investing in communities of color.
Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth, Oakland, CA
Jan. 2018 – May 2018 Restorative Justice
Fellow
Held RJ harm and community-building circles in schools, juvenile hall and neighborhood meetings.
Wrote a white paper identifying the legal and policy changes that need to take place for Oakland to Tchoukleva_Resume_Aug_2021__2_.pdf
Yoana E Tchoukleva
become the first restorative city in the country.
Chambers of Judge Thelton E. Henderson, Northern
District of California, San Francisco, CA
Aug. 2016 – Aug. 2017 Judicial Law Clerk
Reviewed pleadings
and motions, researched legal issues, wrote orders of the Court, filed orders and otherwise managed the majority of cases in Judge Henderson’s civil rights and criminal case dockets. Prepared the Judge for trials, hearings, speeches, and case management conferences.
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of
Northern California, San Francisco, CA
Sept. 2014 – March 2016 Litigation Fellow Created a legal project whose goal was to ensure that every individual serving life without parole for a crime committed as a child has access to counsel and an opportunity to seek resentencing. Brought the issue to the ACLU, drafted habeas petition, filed in the California Supreme Court, and secured resentencing for our client. Assisted the ACLU with litigation on medical marijuana, voting rights post-Realignment, and indigent defense in Fresno. Supported the Criminal Justice and Drug Policy team in streamlining implementation of Prop 47, researching legislation and creating a strategic plan for police practice reform.
Alameda County Public
Defender - Oakland Branch Office, Oakland, CA
Spring 2014
Law Clerk
Conducted intake interviews of
out-of-custody clients. Drafted a number of motions, including two Pitchess motions, a motion to withdraw a plea, and a supplemental Pitchess motion in challenging assault on police officer charges. Argued a Serna motion that was granted and led to dismissal of client’s charges. Prepared to argue two motions to suppress.
Federal Public Defender - Northern District of California, San Francisco, CA Fall 2013
Law
Clerk
Managed the petty offense calendar, directly assisting defendants charged with violations on federal property. Drafted motions to dismiss. Conducted legal research and writing on a variety of issues, including suspicionless probation searches, illegal re-entry after removal, and ineffective assistance of counsel. Helped attorneys prepare for trial.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR),
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Summer 2013 Case Manager, Children At Risk Unit
Interviewed unaccompanied
and separated refugee children, implemented relocations in cases of abuse, wrote in-depth reports and recommendations for resettlement, monitored compliance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
International Human Rights Law Clinic, Berkeley, CA
Spring 2013 Law Clinic Student Performed legal
research and analysis of international, regional and domestic law pertaining to conflict-related sexual violence against men. Presented at a conference in Uganda and published a cutting-edge report, available at http://goo.gl/sVHWKY.
SKILLS AND INTERESTS Skills: Legal research and writing, policy analysis, legislative advocacy, restorative and transformative justice circle keeping, community organizing, article writing, project management, leadership development, creation of collective action initiatives.
Interests: Mutual aid, creative resistance, ancestral wisdom, nonduality, dance, capoeira, learning to live in right relationship with ourselves, all living beings and the Earth herself.
Please click the acknowledgement below.
Service on City of Oakland boards, commissions, and committees may require filings of the FPPC's Statements of Economic Interest (Form 700). Upon appointment and determination of filing status, I will comply with all filing obligations.
I Agree
*
Yoana E Tchoukleva
Yoana E. Tchoukleva
Oakland, CA 94608 • (301) • @sfgov.org
SUMMARY
Civil rights attorney, restorative justice circle keeper and policy analyst dedicated to advancing a community-led vision for justice, healing and transformation. Currently working at the Restorative Justice Unit of the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office. Bringing ten years of organizing experience, five years of litigation experience and two years of legislative advocacy experience in the areas of racial justice, criminal justice reform, juvenile justice, education equity and post-conviction relief.
EDUCATION
University of California, Berkeley, School of Law
Juris Doctor, International Law Certificate, May 2014
Honors and Awards
▪ Certificate of Recognition for Commitment to Advancing Justice Through Public Interest Work ▪ Post-Conviction Advocate Award of 2013-2014
▪ The Promise Award of 2013 by the Association for Dispute Resolution of Northern California ▪ American Jurisprudence Award of 2013 for the International Human Rights Clinic Seminar ▪ Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans of 2012 ▪ Prosser Award (second highest grade) of 2012 in Constitutional Law Leadership Positions
▪ Post-Conviction Advocacy Project: Founder (legal project that trains law students to represent lifers in parole hearings; dozens of people have been released on parole thanks to the project’s ongoing work at Berkeley Law) ▪ Boalt Hall Committee for Human Rights: Co-Chair and Founder of International Human Rights Workshop ▪ Restorative Justice Committee: Chair; Certified Restorative Justice Practitioner at San Quentin State Prison ▪ California Law Review: Notes & Comments Editor (published case note on CLR’s online platform Circuit) ▪ National Lawyers Guild: Law School Vice President of the Bay Area Chapter and Legal Observer
The University of Chicago
Bachelor of Arts, with Distinction, in International Studies, Minor in Human Rights, May 2010
RECENT AWARDS, BOARD POSITIONS AND PUBLICATIONS
Current Leadership Positions
▪ 2020-2021 City of Oakland Reimagining Public Safety Task Force: Advisory Board Member ▪ 2020-2021 New Leaders Council Oakland: Institute Advisor and Board Member ▪ 2019-2021 The Embodiment Project: Chair of the Board of Directors ▪ 2019-2021 YES! Jams: Re-Storying Justice Jam Facilitator ▪ 2019-2020 Social Justice Collective: Circle Keeper and Project Co-Designer with BOSS, Just Cities and Eastside Awards
▪ Unsung Hero Award of 2016 for outstanding service to California’s lifer population, UnCommon Law ▪ Rights and Leadership Award of 2015, International Action Network for Gender Equity & Law Select Publications and Interviews
▪ “In Conversation with Yoana Tchoukleva”, Women Advocating for Change, August 2020 ▪ “Defunding the Police: Brief Overview of History, Models, and the Demands of the Movement”, EJS, June 2020 ▪ “Re-Imagining Oakland: Building the First Restorative City in the Country” , LinkedIn & Medium , Written in March 2018, Updated in June 2020
▪ “Releasing More People From Prison Will Make All of Us Safer, Not Less So”, Medium, April 2020 ▪ “Implicit Bias Bills Package Advances in the California Legislature”, EJS News, September 2019
EXPERIENCE
San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, San Francisco, CA Sept. 2021 – Present Assistant District Attorney, Restorative Justice Unit
Guiding the Office in expanding Restorative Justice (“RJ”) diversion to incidents involving y oung adults, both pre - and post- charge, building toward making RJ a primary intervention rather than alternative program reserved for the few. Preparing internal policies and procedures, evaluating cases for RJ eligibility, contacting victims, monitoring p rogress of cases, training staff and partners on RJ practices. Collaborating with community members and organizations , part of the San Francisco RJ Collaborative, to build a citywide RJ ecosystem aimed at preventing violence and ending cycles of harm. Previously served as a volunteer attorney at the RJ Unit for a year beginning in September 2020.
Equal Justice Society, Oakland, CA Jan. 2019 – July 2020 Judge Constance Baker Motley Civil Rights Fellow
Wrote two bills that were signed in to law—AB 241 and AB 242 —making implicit bias training a requirement for all judges, attorneys and healthcare professionals in California . Served as co-counsel in Sanders, et al., vs. Kern High School District , drafting demand letters, performing legal research, presenting at community forums, meeting with clients, and developing legal strategy to ensure compliance with settlement agreement. Spearheaded a project to create a progressive pipeline to the federal judiciary; prepared Eva Paterson’s written testimony to Congress on the rise of white nationalism ; outlined a local municipality’s legal pathway to implementing race-conscious programs in contracting and employment; supported EJS’ efforts to address systemic racial bias; and drafted EJS’ position statement on defunding the police and investing in communities of color.
Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth, Oakland, CA Jan. 2018 – May 2018 Restorative Justice Fellow
Held RJ harm and community -building circles in schools, juvenile hall and neighborhood meetings. Wrote a white paper identifying the legal and policy changes that need to take place for Oakland to become the first restorative city in the country.
Chambers of Judge Thelton E. Henderson, Northern District of California, San Francisco, CA Aug. 2016 – Aug. 2017 Judicial Law Clerk
Reviewed pleadings and motions, researched legal issues, wrote orders of the Court, filed orders and otherwise managed the majority of cases in Judge Henderson’s civil rights and criminal case dockets. Prepared the Judge for trials, hearings, speeches, and case management conferences.
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Northern California, San Francisco, CA Sept. 2014 – March 2016 Litigation Fellow
Created a legal project whose goal was to ensure that every individual serving life without parole for a crime committed as a child has access to counsel and an opportunity to se ek resentencing. Brought the issue to the ACLU, drafted habeas petition, filed in the California Supreme Court , and secured resentencing for our client . Assisted the ACLU with litigation on medical marijuana, voting rights post -Realignment, and indigent de fense in Fresno. Supported the Criminal Justice and Drug Policy team in streamlining implementation of Prop 47, researching legislation and creating a strategic plan for police practice reform.
Alameda County Public Defender - Oakland Branch Office, Oakland, CA Spring 2014 Law Clerk
Conducted intake interviews of out-of-custody clients. Drafted a number of motions, including two Pitchess motions, a motion to withdraw a plea, and a supplemental Pitchess motion in challenging assault on police officer charges . Argued a Serna motion that was granted and led to dismissal of client’s charges. Prepared to argue two motions to suppress.
Federal Public Defender - Northern District of California, San Francisco, CA Fall 2013 Law Clerk
Managed the petty offense calendar, directly assisting defendants charged with violations on federal property. Drafted motions to dismiss. Conducted legal research and writing on a variety of issues, including suspicionless probation searches, illegal re - entry after removal, and ineffective assistance of counsel. Helped attorneys prepare for trial.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Summer 2013 Case Manager, Children At Risk Unit
Interviewed unaccompanied and separated refugee children, implemented relocations in cases of abuse, wrote in-depth reports and recommendations for resettlement, monitored compliance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
International Human Rights Law Clinic, Berkeley, CA Spring 2013 Law Clinic Student
Performed legal research and analysis of international, regional and domestic law pertaining to c onflict-related sexual violence against men. Presented at a conference in Uganda and published a cutting-edge report, available at http://goo.gl/sVHWKY.
SKILLS AND INTERESTS
Skills: Legal research and writing, policy analysis, legislative advocacy, restorative and transformative justice circle keeping, community organizing, article writing, project management, leadership development, creation of collective action initiatives.
Interests: Mutual aid, creative resistance, ancestral wisdom, nonduality, dance, capoeira, learning to live in right relationship with ourselves, all living beings and the Earth herself.
Approved as to Form and Legality
__________________________
Oakland City Attorney’s Office
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. ____________________C.M.S.
INTRODUCED BY MAYOR LIBBY SCHAAF
RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF
YOANA TCHOUKLEV A AS A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND
SERVICES VIOLENCE PREVENTION OVERSIGHT COMMISSION
WHEREAS, Section 601 of the City Charter provides that members of City b oards and commissions shall be appointed by the Mayor subject to confirma tion by the affirmative vote of five members of the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the 2014 Oakland Public Safety and Services Violence Prevention Act (the “Safety and Services Act ”) adopted by the voters of Oakland, November 4, 2014 in the Gene ral Municipal Election creates the Public Safety and Services Viole nce Prevention Oversight Commission to evaluate, inquire, and review the administration, coordination, and evaluation of strategies and practices mandated by the Safety and Services Act; and WHEREAS, the Safety and Act specifies that the Public Safety and Service s Violence Prevention Oversight Commission shall consist of nine (9) membe rs, one member recommended by the Mayor and one member recommended by each City Council member, with all Commission members being appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council in accordance with City Charter Section 601; and
WHEREAS, the Safety and Services Act specifies that at least two (2) members will have experience working with service-eligible populations, two (2) m embers will reflect the service- eligible populations, and two (2) members will have professiona l law enforcement or criminal justice background while all other members will have general experience in criminal justice, public health, social services, research and evaluation, finance, audits, and/or public policy; and
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 13303 C.M.S. establishin g that Public Safety and Services Oversight Commission members serve t wo-year terms, and no more than three consecutive terms; and
pproved as to Form and Legality
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Oakland City Attorney’s Office
NCIL
3172885v2/ARM 2 WHEREAS, Mayor Libby Schaff has appointed Yoana Tchoukleva to serve a two-year term on the Public Safety and Services Oversight Commission, subject to confirmation by the City Council; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That pursuant to City Charter Section 601, the City Council her eby confirms the Mayor’s reappointment of:
Yoana Tchoukleva, to the Public Safety and Services Violence Prevention Oversight Commission, serving as the District Four representative for the term beginning April 21, 2021 and ending April 20, 2023, filling the seat previously held by Edwillis Wright.
IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES - FIFE, GALLO, KALB, KAPLAN, REID, TAYLOR, THAO AND
PRESIDENT FORTUNATO BAS
NOES –
ABSENT –
ABSTENTION –
ATTEST:
ASHA REED
City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of the
City of Oakland, California