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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOARD STANDING COMMITTEES - 06032024 - PPC Agenda PktCONTRA COSTA COUNTY AGENDA Public Protection Committee Supervisor John Gioia, Chair Supervisor Federal D. Glover, Vice Chair https://cccounty-us.zoom.us/j/86043547578 | Call in: 888-278-0254, Conference code: 985922 11780 San Pablo Ave, Ste D, El Cerrito or 190 East 4th Street, Pittsburg or via zoom or call-in 1:00 PMMonday, June 3, 2024 https://cccounty-us.zoom.us/j/86043547578 Call in: 888-278-0254, Conference code: 985922 The public may attend this meeting in person at either above location . The public may also attend this meeting remotely via Zoom or call-in. Agenda Items: Items may be taken out of order based on the business of the day and preference of the Committee. 1.Introductions 2.Public comment on any item under the jurisdiction of the Committee and not on this agenda (speakers may be limited to two (2) minutes). 24-1575 1 - Guaranteed Income Public Comment 2 - Guaranteed Income Public Comment 3 - Guaranteed Income Public Comment 4 - Guaranteed Income Public Comment 5 - Guaranteed Income Public Comment 6 - Guaranteed Income Public Comment 7 - Guaranteed Income Public Comment 8 - Guaranteed Income Public Comment Attachments: 3.CONSIDER accepting the Record of Action for the May 6, 2024 meeting of the Public Protection Committee (PPC). (Enid Mendoza, PPC Staff) 24-1576 DRAFT PPC 5-6-24 ROAAttachments: Page 1 of 3 1 Public Protection Committee AGENDA June 3, 2024 4.CONSIDER accepting a report from the Animal Services Department on backyard breeding. (Ben Winkleblack, Animal Services Director) 24-1577 Backyard Breeding PPC PresentationAttachments: 5.CONSIDER receiving a report from the Office of the Sheriff on County law enforcement participation and interaction with federal immigration authorities for the calendar year 2023. (Jason Vorhauer, Assistant Sheriff) 24-1578 Sheriff ICE Forum 2023 PresentationAttachments: 6.CONSIDER approving the Community Advisory Board’s AB 109 Public Safety Realignment reserve funding recommendations as approved by the Community Corrections Partnership - Community Corrections Partnership Executive Committee and forward to the Board of Supervisors for their approval and reserve funding allocation. (Esa Ehmen-Krause, CCP - CCP EC Chair; Nicole Green, Chair, CAB Policy & Budget Subcommittee) 24-1579 Attachment AAttachments: The next meeting is currently scheduled for August 5, 2024. Adjourn General Information This meeting provides reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities planning to attend a the meetings. Contact the staff person listed below at least 72 hours before the meeting. Any disclosable public records related to an open session item on a regular meeting agenda and distributed by the County to a majority of members of the Committee less than 96 hours prior to that meeting are available for public inspection at 1025 Escobar St., 4th Floor, Martinez, during normal business hours. Staff reports related to items on the agenda are also accessible on line at www.co.contra-costa.ca.us. HOW TO PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT: Persons who wish to address the Committee during public comment on matters within the jurisdiction of the Committee that are not on the agenda, or who wish to comment with respect to an item on the agenda, may comment in person, via Zoom, or via call-in. Those participating in person should offer comments when invited by the Committee Chair. Those participating via Zoom should indicate they wish to speak by using the “raise your hand” feature in the Zoom app. Those calling in should indicate they wish to speak by pushing *9 on their phones. Public comments generally will be limited to two (2) minutes per speaker. In the interest of facilitating the business of the Board Committee, the total amount of time that a member of the public may use in addressing the Board Committee on all agenda items is 10 minutes. Your patience is appreciated. Public comments may also be submitted to Committee staff before the meeting by email or by voicemail. Comments submitted by email or voicemail will be included in the record of the meeting but will not be read or played aloud during the meeting. Page 2 of 3 2 Public Protection Committee AGENDA June 3, 2024 For Additional Information Contact: Enid Mendoza, Senior Deputy County Administrator enid.mendoza@cao.cccounty.us (925) 655-2075 Page 3 of 3 3 CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Staff Report 1025 ESCOBAR STREET MARTINEZ, CA 94553 File #:24-1575 Agenda Date:6/3/2024 Agenda #:2. CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Printed on 5/30/2024Page 1 of 1 powered by Legistar™4 Tuesday,May 28,2024 Regarding:FY 2024-2025 Policy &Budget Recommendations $15M Excess AB109 Funds Dear members of the Public Protection Committee, Bread for the City’s Economic Security Team is writing this letter in support of the use of AB 109 excess funds for a guaranteed income pilot in Contra Costa County.Bread for the City1 is a DC nonprofit whose mission for 50 years has been to help DC residents living with low income develop their power to determine the future of their own communities. Our relationship with cash-giving began in spring 2020.As Washington,DC shut down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,Bread and three other partner nonprofits (BBAR,Martha’s Table,and the Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative)created a cash transfer program,THRIVE East of the River,for families who had experienced COVID-related job loss. When it was implemented,THRIVE was the largest privately-funded guaranteed income pilot ever created in the country and provided $5,500 to nearly 600 households alongside other optional assistance like financial counseling,groceries,referrals,and assistance enrolling in benefits.An Urban Institute report2 of the pilot revealed expected results -people used the money to pay for housing and food. Since 2017,over 150 guaranteed income pilots have been implemented nationwide,including CashRx,our own pilot.What we continue to see,and can attest to from personal experience,is that the results from THRIVE East of the River are not unique.Participants of guaranteed income pilots are first and foremost securing food and housing.Beyond that,however,we are learning that cash-transfers are allowing families to truly thrive and dream. At a CashRx quarterly check-in,we learned from one of our participants that her cash-transfer was allowing her to spend more time with family.She works for the Smithsonian museums in DC and often clocks in for over 80 hours a week.She told us that because of the guaranteed income,she is secure enough to avoid taking yet another shift and spend time with her grandkids. Our participant loves to bowl and during a check-in told us about how the weekend prior she was able to share her love of bowling with two of her young granddaughters.(She also told us that she won the match.) One research finding that we find particularly compelling comes from a pilot run by our neighbors in Arlington,VA:“Arlington’s Guarantee participants were significantly more likely than comparison group households to have set long-term goals3 (84%participants,53% comparison,99%confidence).”The study also found that participants from both the treatment 5 and control groups were equally likely to reach their long-term goals,teaching us that when people simply have the capacity to set goals,they will find a way to reach them. Our understanding is that the Board of Supervisors holds some concerns about participants’ well-being after the conclusion of guaranteed income pilots,but the existing literature provides encouraging insights.The Arlington County pilot report found that at the end of the pilot, participants were more likely than the control group to have a higher household income (excluding pilot cash transfers)and higher paying jobs as well as increased employment.The report also explains that,because of the guaranteed incomes,families were better able to avoid increasing their debt when facing financial emergencies. One of our CashRx participants had shared about her car troubles during her intake session.The car was too dangerous to drive,but she needed it for work.She was using public transportation in the meantime,but the lack of flexibility was forcing her to work less,impacting her income. After a few months of receiving CashRx transfers,the participant was able to pay to fix her car which she says she doesn't feel she would have been able to do otherwise. It is stories like these that highlight the immeasurable impact that guaranteed income pilots have on the individuals and families that participate.We,and our national partners in this work, understand where the narratives regarding guaranteed income come from and we urge PPC members and the Board of Supervisors to challenge them.Listen to the research findings, explore the why behind these harmful narratives,and join us in the understanding that they are based in fiction not fact.We also respectfully ask that Contra Costa’s local decision makers and elected officials approach their responsibility with an empathic lens that takes into account what circumstances make their own situations the same and different from those whose lives their decision will impact. Thank you for the opportunity to submit this letter.Your consideration of these matters and solutions is very much appreciated. Bread for the City,Economic Security Team Brittany Pope,LISW,Economic Security Supervisor Daisy Gomez Palacios,Economic Security Fellow 1.Bread for the City.(2024).https://breadforthecity.org/ 2.Bogle,M.et al.“An Evaluation of THRIVE East of the River.”The Urban Institute.February 2022. https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/2023-08/An%20Evaluation%20of%20THRIVE%20East%20of%2 0the%20River.pdf 3.“Arlington’s Guarantee Pilot Evaluation.”Arlington Community Foundation,Arlington County Department of Human Services.February 2024.https://www.arlcf.org/arlingtons-guarantee-pilot-evaluation /#report 6 112, Broadway Street, Suite B Durham, NC 27701 919-813-0207 www.stepupdurham.org StepUp Durham is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, tax identification #47-4578727, and contributions are tax-deductible. 2023-2024 Board of Directors Amanda Barnett Dominique Grimes-Medlin Alea Crump Denise Motley Gregory Edwards Beth Payne Catherine Goodman Pearl Teiko Nancy Grigg Simone Thomas Esther Hethcox Thomas Wicker Jim Kinney Rashad Wilson Shajuana McMillian John Wroton May 22, 2024 Public Protection Committee, Step-Up Durham enthusiastically supports Dr. Rachel Rosekind’s and the Community Advisory Board's request for $2M from the AB 109 reserves to fund a guaranteed income pilot for formerly incarcerated individuals in Contra Costa County. StepUp’s mission is adults and children transforming their lives through employment and life skills training. Understanding that employment is the first step to stability, StepUp Durham offers resources to find and sustain employment, as well as personalized employment counseling, job referrals, and post-employment support. Our programs are designed specifically for individuals experiencing challenges to finding employment. This past fiscal year, over 40% were justice-involved, 20% were in recovery, and 51% had housing instability. Since launching in 2015, StepUp Durham has served over 1,000 individuals through our various programs. From 2022-2023, StepUp Durham served as the program administrator for the City of Durham's first guaranteed income pilot, providing 109 formerly incarcerated individuals with $600/month for one year. Seeded with $500,000 from the former CEO of Twitter, Jack Dorsey, StepUp Durham raised over $200,000 from additional private donors to provide monthly disbursements. The University of Pennsylvania serves as our researcher and will publish outcomes of this pilot this Fall. What we know thus far is that only two individuals of the 109 were convicted of charges during the pilot, and those charges were incurred before the pilot began. (For North Carolina, the recidivism rate is 40% - 40% of individuals coming out of incarceration return within the first three years.) Our 1.8% recidivism rate says to us that when individuals have the resources they need to thrive, the impact on recidivism is significant. We have heard that, in addition to providing for participants basic needs, our pilot, called Excel, allowed individuals to invest in themselves. One individual, Tydricka, was able to invest in a nonprofit she launched for young women with the goal of having them make different decisions from the ones she had made that led her to incarceration. Tyler, another of the 109, invested in his continuing education. Every story we heard were individuals who, for the first time in a long time, felt like they were able to move beyond their past and focus on their future. StepUp Durham believes that when the most marginalized of our communities thrive, everyone thrives. We believe the $2M from the AB 109 reserves to fund a guaranteed income pilot for formerly incarcerated individuals in Contra Costa County will impact the health and wellness of the entire community. Regards, Syretta Hill Executive Director 7 May 23rd,2024 Dear Public Protection Committee, Thank you for allowing me to submit comments concerning the guaranteed income pilot under consideration for future returning residents of Contra Costa County.My name is Dane Worthington and I am the Director of Economic Mobility at the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO),the nation’s largest provider of employment services to individuals returning home from incarceration. CEO supports approximately 8,000+returning citizens across the country every year including 2,000 people in nine cities across California.Our core program builds community wealth for justice-impacted individuals through five activities:workforce readiness,transitional employment, job coaching,job development,and employment retention services.Since we expanded operations to California in 2011,we have been able to enroll over 15,000 formerly incarcerated Californians into our core program. What we have learned is that the individual needs of recently released men and women are complex,urgent and far from uniform.What people need are options and the stability to pursue those options.Cash assistance,especially when connected with reentry workforce development services,accounts for this diversity in needs by placing formerly incarcerated individuals in control of their own solutions. During the COVID-19 pandemic,CEO and 13 other partner organizations distributed more than $10M to 5,700+justice-impacted individuals in California through a 2020 program called Returning Citizens Stimulus (RCS).To-date,RCS is the largest-ever conditional cash transfer to individuals returning to their communities from incarceration (nationally,more than $24M was distributed to more than 10,500 justice-impacted individuals). Through RCS we observed that cash assistance can directly improve people’s ability to get a good Center for Employment Opportunities,Inc.•ceoworks.org Oakland Office •464 7th Street,Oakland,CA 94607 •510-251-2240 8 quality job and remain employed for an extended period of time. Early evaluations of the program indicate that reentry cash payments were transformational in accelerating an individuals’path to self-sufficiency following release -MDRC (a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization)to conduct an interim evaluation of the implementation of RCS and immediate and near-term outcomes of the formerly incarcerated individuals who received RCS payments -specifically those related to economic outcomes and overall well-being. The MDRC study identified that the RCS program helped with their financial stability in the months following incarceration.The cash payments helped them find,secure,and maintain employment, serving as a facilitator for employment in a variety of ways,including covering costs to start their own business,creating a connection to reentry programs and staff to help with job search,and covering daily expenses.In addition,participants spent the funds on essential expenses -partial rent,food,transportation costs,clothing,to prepare for employment and more,including restitution (the sixth most common spending category).The vast majority of the cash assistance was used to cover some of their bills and family-related expenses until they obtained income from employment. Everything we know about success in the workforce after prison suggests that providing people with support and access to vital stabilization services immediately upon release is critical.People being released today from California prisons receive $200.That’s it.And with that,they are expected to rebuild their lives -to put a roof over their heads,to put food on the table and to find employment. Currently,formerly incarcerated people experience the highest rates of unemployment and underemployment,with as much as 60%of individuals remaining unemployed within the first year of being home. Fortunately,more and more leaders at the local and state levels,are appreciating that cash payments Increase employment opportunities and job mobility for formerly incarcerated and justice-involved individuals. In 2022–2023,the State of California invested $52.5M in one-time funding to develop the Helping Justice-Involved Reenter Employment (HIRE)initiative,of which 30%can be used for cash payments.Administered by the Workforce Development Board,the initiative focuses on increasing Center for Employment Opportunities,Inc.•ceoworks.org Oakland Office •464 7th Street,Oakland,CA 94607 •510-251-2240 9 employment opportunities and career mobility for justice-involved individuals with access to critical reentry services and cash payments to cover their most essential needs. CEO is one of a hub of organizations have been awarded $6.9M with approximately $2M focused on needs-based payments.Up to 1,500+justice-involved individuals will have access to job readiness support,transitional employment,advanced training,pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship training -coupled with needs-based payments.The stipends are expected to be distributed by August 2024 and will add to our growing evidence base that the combination of cash+services does transform the employment landscape for justice-involved Californians. By providing people with cash when they need it most–when they are just getting out of incarceration and often have no resources whatsoever–we are able to set them up for success at the very beginning. I thank you for your time,and I’m happy to answer any questions. Sincerely, Dane Worthington Director of Mobility,Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) Center for Employment Opportunities,Inc.•ceoworks.org Oakland Office •464 7th Street,Oakland,CA 94607 •510-251-2240 10 Thank you for the opportunity to add comments to the written letter of support previously submitted.My name is Dane Worthington and I am the Director of Economic Mobility at the Center for Employment Opportunities,the nation's largest provider of employment services to those recently released from incarceration with 11 offices across California.I support this initiative because I have seen what flexible financial support can do for individuals navigating their journey back into society and seeking stability and opportunities because I administered the largest cash assistance program for returning citizens during the pandemic that reached over 10,000 individuals with an average of $2,500 in financial support spread over a three month period.An independent evaluator who studied our efforts dispelled many of the myths of cash assistance. People overwhelmingly use the funds to meet their basic needs while seeking employment and training opportunities.I can also tell you that having a financial cushion reduces the stress of being in short term survival mode which can exacerbate recidivism and frees people up to think longer term. Most of my day to day now is helping our participants access training that leads to tangible credentials like a commercial drivers license,a registered construction pre-apprenticeship program,or an IT support certification.All of these can take weeks or even months to complete and make it difficult to impossible to complete without financial support.To break down this barrier,CEO provides a weekly stipend while they are in training.We don’t track how they spend it or dictate what they should spend it on because we trust them to make the right choices for them. Doing this not only efficient because I could not possibly anticipate every person’s diverse needs better than they can nor do I want to manage the administrative burden of approving every bus pass or DMV reinstatement fee and more importantly it fosters mutual trust and respect for their freedom and dignity. For all these reasons,I urge the committee to approve this initiative to support some of your most vulnerable fellow citizens and give them a better shot in reentering society successfully.Thank you. Center for Employment Opportunities,Inc.•ceoworks.org Oakland Office •464 7th Street,Oakland,CA 94607 •510-251-2240 11 May 28,2024 To the members of the Public Protection Committee, Thank you for taking the time to consider my remarks for your June 3rd meeting.I am the CEO of 4-CT,a Connecticut-based non-profit organization.Since March 2023,we have operated a guaranteed income program for 40 men recently released from incarceration living in New Haven,CT,providing them with $500/month for 12 months.Our participants range in age from 19 to 74 and have served sentences ranging from six months to over 30 years. Every three months,I administer surveys and conduct semi-structured,one-on-one interviews with each par ticipant to talk about their experiences in the program,their thoughts on budgeting and spending,as well as re-entry generally.These interviews afford the participants an opportunity to reflect on their financial situation,housing and career aspirations.So,while we do not have financial or job counseling as formal elements of the program,it arises in the course of the discussion and their self-reflection during the quarterly check-ins goes a long way toward helping them achieve their goals.Similarly,we spend time discussing the end of the program and how participants are planning for that transition. Every participant has spoken about how this unconditional program makes them feel trusted - a feeling they admit not often experiencing.We can see in our data,and what they self-report in interviews,that most of the money goes towards rent,food,utilities and gas/transportation.They also share stories of how meaningful it is to provide for their children and repay debts to loved ones.Individuals have launched small businesses and gone back to school.They have voluntarily chipped in for rent when staying with family or friends.They’ve used the money to cut back on over time hours (especially at holidays)to spend time with family,buy healthier food and learn to cook,get involved in legislative advocacy,or to study for classes rather than pull an extra Lyft shift. Bottom line -they know what’s best for them and,although the money is almost always spent on basic needs,the ability to make those decisions independently and without restriction has been a game changer for their personal growth and development.There’s dignity in being trusted to make decisions and it's difficult to grow as a person if you don’t feel 12 worthy or capable.For all the programs that folks coming out of incarceration participate in, this one is rare in centering choice,trust and independence.In doing so,the effect is profound. I recently inter viewed a 34 year old man named Brendan who had been incarcerated from age 17 to 32 and told me this pilot helped him learn how to be an adult.Having gone away at 17, he never knew how to manage a monthly budget,handle bills or other adult responsibilities. Upon release,he was expected to know how to successfully navigate a world that was wildly different from what he’d experienced fifteen years prior,but also to do so with no money and few adult skills.He explained to me how the $500/month helped him manage his finances while he searched for a job.With that,his confidence grew and the knowledge that each month for a year he would get this money,he was able to make strategic,longer term decisions.He now works full time for Amazon and hopes to continue to look for a better paying job. Another participant named Abraham,who is 53 and served over twenty years,told me that the money allows him to work fewer overtime hours.Now,he works three,12-hour shifts instead of four.With the extra time,he explained,he has more time to testify at public hearings in Hartford,and participate in the committees and commissions he has been appointed to by local leaders.He is currently a Smar t Justice Leader at the ACLU on his off days from working at Yale New Haven Hospital as an ICU Technician. Over the course of the 12 month pilot,our participants,like ever yone coming home,have navigated the ups and downs of a complicated return.Regardless of their circumstances,all participants have indicated that they experienced a decrease in stress because of this pilot.All of them explained that this pilot prevented them from ever feeling desperate about money. They said that the desire to make money legitimately,and stay out of trouble,becomes difficult if you can’t find steady employment,make rent,or put food on your table.But when you have the room to breathe and make a plan,you start showing up as the parent your kids deserve and as the child you want to show your mother you can become.I’ve heard countless versions of those stories and the consistency is staggering. We all want our communities to be safe,our families to be healthy,and our neighbors to thrive. 13 Guaranteed income programs work because they efficiently contribute to safety,health and wellbeing,while amplifying the dignity of participating individuals.Our program has been very successful and I strongly encourage you to implement a similar program in your community. Sarah Blanton CEO,4-CT 14 May 24, 2024 Dear members of the Public Protection Committee, Monument Impact is writing to support the allocation of 2 million dollars for a Guaranteed Income pilot program to serve formerly incarcerated individuals in Contra Costa County. This service provides a long-term strategy for financial stability and offers much-needed support to a marginalized population that often faces significant challenges and instability upon reentry into society. Economic stability is crucial in reducing the likelihood of reoffending, as it empowers individuals to make positive choices and contribute positively to their communities. Guaranteed income programs significantly contribute to a person’s ability to maintain a stable life, providing consistent unrestricted cash to find or keep stable housing and employment, address unexpected transportation costs, invest in education, and keep food on the table. We believe everyone should access these necessities without the stress of living paycheck-to-paycheck. Since November 2023, ELEVATE Concord, Monument Impact’s Family Economic Equity Pilot, has provided unrestricted cash assistance to 120 low-income, single-parent families. Families are receiving $500 a month for a year and, in addition, received a one-time gift of $2,500. Many have used this cash assistance to pay their rent, buy groceries, fix their cars, buy medication, and keep up with other daily expenses. Beyond basic necessities, parents have expressed a sense of relief - data captured from our first quarter showed that participants who responded to our survey experienced a 50% decrease in anxiety and a 31% decrease in stress since the beginning of the program. The cash assistance they are receiving has allowed them to spend more time with their children and participate in community events. Some have switched to higher-paying jobs or have gone back to school. Through this program, we also support participants through wrap-around services, like access to our mental health and emerging business programs, t echnology training courses, and financial education. The impact of ELEVATE Concord is clear – guaranteed income improves families’ quality of life. Investing community dollars into a Guaranteed Income pilot program is an innovative and tried-and- true approach that can undoubtedly help break the cycle of intergenerational poverty. We strongly believe that dollars from AB 109 used for Contra Costa’s reentry population will fundamentally address our reentry community's issues and create more significant equity and opportunity for formerly incarcerated individuals. A Guaranteed Income pilot program will empower and lift our community in need by offering concentrated support and consistency to individuals who need it most. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. Sincerely, Judith Ortiz Monument Impact 15 1 To: Supervisors Gioia and Glover, Public Protection Committee From: Rachel Rosekind Date: Tuesday, May 28, 2024 Dear Supervisors Gioia and Glover, Contra Costa’s justice-impacted residents are one of our most stigmatized, vulnerable, and marginalized populations. They are also often the least visible and most impacted by economic and racial injustice. Imagine being released from prison, facing a barrage of collateral sanctions, and experiencing the trauma of incarceration and prolonged isolation, all with less than $50 in your pocket. This is the reality of most of the justice-impacted individuals who have participated in the dozen guaranteed income (GI) pilots focused on this population across the country. People released from prison are subject to a civil death—excluded from basic rights and privileges and subject to unfathomable stigma and de facto discrimination. They are restricted from certain types of employment and occupational licenses, which makes earning a living wage and obtaining worker protections extremely challenging. They are asked to build back upon release but are continually beaten back by a criminal record that shuts them out and shoots them down. Moreover, data has shown that neighborhoods with the highest rates of incarceration track directly with redlining and under-resourced schools. How can we talk about a second chance when many of the people confined in our jails and prisons never had a first chance to begin with? When will we stop punishing people who have served their time? Perennial punishment does not make individuals whole nor our communities safe. Guaranteed income addresses these societal realities and individual pain points. Thousands of pilot participants have attained better employment, pursued entrepreneurship, and advanced their education; increased food and housing security; improved physical and mental health; reduced debt and increased savings; and improved family connections and children’s academic success. Pilot outcomes have shown decreased systems involvement across multiple sectors, including homeless and emergency medical services; decreased recidivism and interpersonal violence; improved family connections and children’s academic success. These pilots are interrupting generational harms by building the conditions for generational health, wealth, and security. Formerly incarcerated people are almost ten times more likely to experience homelessness than the general public. Moreover, studies have calculated that a person experiencing chronic homelessness can cost taxpayers between $30,000 and $100,000 per year. This is particularly concerning given that over the past five years, California has allocated an unprecedented $24 billion to address homelessness and housing, during which time, the estimated number of unhoused residents has increased from about 151,000 in 2019 to more than 181,000 in 2023. Over two-thirds are living on the street or in other places unfit for human habitation—not in 16 2 shelters. Spending $24 billion to operate systems and administer services that are not delivering solutions and carry significant indirect costs is a particularly egregious predicament given the 2023 Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative Study (the largest representative study on homelessness since the 1990s) report that 70% of survey respondents said they could have avoided homelessness if they had an additional income of $300-500/month. Why do we abide exorbitant public sector costs and devastating tolls on individual lives when there are solutions right in front of us that are working in other communities? Why do we tolerate degradation when we should be promoting dignity? Our social welfare systems and programs have been in place for decades. Yet we have pervasive and persistent rates of poverty that disproportionately impact people of color and fuel a revolving door between economic precarity, housing insecurity, and incarceration. It’s a cruel irony that many counties have more prison beds than they do public housing beds. One in five elderly Americans qualifies for SNAP but doesn’t receive it. One in four workers eligible for the EITC don’t apply for it. In California, only 63% of residents who qualify for SNAP receive it, and in Contra Costa, only 60% of eligible residents are enrolled in CalWORKs. In addition to uptake issues, these programs are incredibly costly to administer and require applicants to jump through multiple hurdles and teeter on precarious thresholds to receive benefits. As a direct, unrestricted, unconditional payment, guaranteed income prioritizes the person not the program, while promoting agency, dignity, and trust. Research suggests that means-tested, paternalistic forms of aid may inhibit positive outcomes, increase administrative costs, and foster widespread stigma. Unrestricted funds allow people to make choices freely, as experts in their own lives. People are seen and trusted as complete human beings. The most successful guaranteed income pilots braid into and expand existing community partnerships and center resident voice in planning, research, design, and evaluation to ensure that the work is relevant and deeply aligned with the priority population’s needs and strengths. The expertise of lived experience is a challenge to established hierarchies and conventional governmental processes. But if we want new and different outcomes than the dire ones we’ve been living with for decades, it is time for us to break silos of power and shift the locus of agency to directly impacted residents. People need cash and resources beyond cash. Thoughtfully-designed GI pilots wrap opportunities for services and supports around participants. And evidence attests that optional supports are overwhelmingly taken up by participants, thereby boosting effectiveness of other programs and services. The money not only buys the things people need to survive; it buys time—time to set goals and pursue them. Stability leads to mobility. Contra Costa’s entry into the publicly-funded pilot space is well-timed. Guaranteed income is an established field, with a knowledgeable, diverse, and supportive field of practitioners, researchers, advocates, elected officials, and participants who have created research labs, learning communities, and best practices that reflect the 150+ pilots launched since 2017. Our 17 3 county would receive the benefit of support from all of these entities alongside a strong base of local pilot implementers, participants, and advocates. I am aware of the Board’s lack of consensus on guaranteed income; perhaps that played a role in the decision promoted by the Heads of Probation and Employment and Human Services (EHSD) to pull the Community Advisory Board’s recommendation for a pilot for “further development and review.” But I want to remind the PPC that at the budget adoption on May 21, 2024, it was clarified that the AB 109-funded pilot and the request for a Measure X-funded pilot are distinct. I also want to note that the AB 109-funded pilot already has a generally- defined population and is aligned with a peer county’s parallel process: that of Santa Clara County. Notably, funding for Santa Clara’s pilot for justice-involved individuals was approved by the Board of Supervisors in August 2023; since then, the County Executive Office, who have initiated and centrally manage all the county’s pilots, has collaborated with key county departments, particularly Probation and the Sheriff; lived experience experts; and service providers to gather input on population definition, pilot design, outreach, intake, and evaluation. They are close to finalizing design and expect to perform outreach and recruitment through early fall, with the first cash disbursements anticipated to go out in December 2024. This pilot will provide $1,200 a month for two years to 100 participants. Notably, the pilot will also maximize incentives by providing additional funds of up to $599 (the IRS threshold) to encourage participants to attend résumé building, interview preparation, career planning and other workshops. I encourage the County Board and staff to study numerous pilot design processes, especially Santa Clara’s, which has four pilots, each for distinct populations and in different phases. I leave you with this quote from Venettia, who participated in Gainesville’s Just Income guaranteed income pilot: “Hope goes a long way for people accustomed to hopelessness. Just believe in me a little bit and let me show you what I’m all about.” It’s time to seed hope that reap brighter futures for all Contra Costa residents. It’s time for a publicly-funded guaranteed income pilot for justice-impacted community members in Contra Costa County. Thank you for your consideration, Rachel Rosekind 18 05/28/2024 RE: Letter of Support for Contra Costa Guaranteed Income Pilot Using AB 109 Reserves Dear Public Protection Committee, Rubicon Programs supports the Community Advisory Board’s recommendation to use AB 109 reserves to allocate $2 million in funds for a guaranteed income pilot program for Contra Costa’s justice-impacted community members. This will be an important program that will move Contra Costa justice-impacted residents from the conditions of poverty to financial stability. Rubicon Program’s mission is to transform East Bay communities by equipping people to break the cycle of poverty. Much of our work is focused on helping formerly incarcerated people successfully reenter the community and find stable, meaningful employment. In the last program year alone, Rubicon’s anti-poverty work impacted the lives of 2,728 participants across the organization, including 1,494 new individuals. Our participants are assigned a trained impact coach who will provide one-on-one coaching for up to three years. The impact coach will join the participants as they attend a two-week comprehensive workshop series, which addresses four issue areas: assets, income, wellness and connections as well as legal services, structural causes of poverty and digital literacy. For assets, we have financial coaches who teach financial literacy, consumer rights and train participants to grow their savings, repair credit, build a budget and invest. For income, we have employment coaches who will help participants reentering society find immediate employment to meet their short-term needs based on their current skills and experience. Then our career coaches will work with them to chart a long-term career plan to attain more pay, training and job certifications. For wellness, our wellness coaches provide culturally responsive counseling, services and referrals to address the participant’s emotional and physical health needs. For connections, we help participants establish relationships and community networks to build a career, raise a family and advocate for themselves through support groups like men’s and women’s group or family workshops, leadership training, restorative practices and community advocacy. Our legal services team work to provide legal advice, minor representation around record sealing, expungement and child support and employment discrimination issues. We try to encompass our participants with as much support and resources as possible as they work to transform themselves. Our Returning Home Career Grant program was our pilot project to accomplish our mission of ending poverty in the East Bay. Rubicon Programs was the lead agency in the Better Careers Design Group (BCDG) that launched this guaranteed income program that provided 20 participants with $1500 per month for 18 months and mentorship in Alameda County. With the help of Alameda County Workforce Development, Probation Department, Growth Sector, Third 19 Sector and the James Irvine Foundation, we decided to have a higher monthly payment amount than other pilot programs in the state so that it can have a greater impact on participant’s lives. Our program was limited to referrals from community-based organizations (CBOs) doing pre- release and post-release services to justice-impacted adults and they nominated participants for whom this opportunity would alleviate barriers to employment and career mobility. One part of designing this pilot program was gathering input from different stakeholders. We had 56 stakeholder interviews - ten employers, ten CBOs service providers and 36 justice impacted job seekers and a common theme that arose was a deep desire for autonomy and agency. As the program was implemented, we had interviews, surveys and feedback sessions from the participants, their family and friends and quarterly check ins with CBO service providers. The results from our program were tremendous. Participants were able to build careers, pursue personal goals and improve their overall quality of life by removing financial stressors, have more social connections and center their wellness. The impact for our program participants was endless: some were able to get married, have more family outings, didn’t need to get another job to make ends meet, received job promotions or pursued new careers, got better housing or purchased new cars and some participants used this opportunity to pursue a college degree. Our services continue to be available to any of our pilot program participants who would or have participated in our two-week workshop to ensure that they have the tools and resources needed to attain financial stability. Rubicon Programs believes that these structured guaranteed income programs are an effective and impactful avenue to combat poverty in the East Bay. It is why we support the Community Advisory Board’s recommendation to use AB 109 reserves to fund a $2 million guaranteed income program for Contra Costa’s justice impacted community members. Please contact carolek@rubiconprograms.org if you have any questions. 20 Just Income by Community Spring justincome.org |csgnv.org 352-339-9393 May 24,2024 Dear Members of the Public Protection Committee, I am writing to reiterate my unwavering support for the allocation of funds towards a guaranteed income pilot for Contra Costa's reentry population.As the Program Director of Just Income by Community Spring in Gainesville,FL,I have the privilege of witnessing firsthand the transformative impact of guaranteed income programs on formerly incarcerated individuals. Our program targets formerly incarcerated residents of Alachua County,FL,providing them with a consistent,unconditional income for twelve months to cover their basic needs and invest in their future.To date,we have disbursed $948,800 directly to 137 recipients,with remarkable results.Employment has increased,homelessness has decreased,and overall well-being has improved significantly.Notably,participants in our program experienced a 43%reduction in money-related re-incarceration rates compared to those without access to guaranteed income. While concerns about dependency are common,our experience with Just Income has shown that providing a guaranteed income sparks positive change rather than fostering dependency. Participants in our program demonstrate a strong sense of agency and responsibility,using the income to address immediate needs while actively pursuing long-term goals.This support allows individuals to break free from cycles of poverty and incarceration by providing stability and essential resources. Our extensive network of community partners and resources is central to our program's success.Through strategic collaborations,we connect participants with tailored supports and services,including career planning,mental health resources,housing assistance,and access to community resources.These partnerships enable us to address the diverse needs of participants and provide comprehensive support for successful reentry into society. One of the most powerful testimonies of the effectiveness of guaranteed income comes from Venettia,a participant in our program.With the support provided,Venettia was able to extricate herself from domestic violence,transition from homelessness to stable housing,address addiction issues,reunite with her family,and obtain certification for employment.Her story 21 exemplifies the transformative power of guaranteed income in breaking the cycle of poverty and incarceration. Investing in guaranteed income for the reentry population is not only a prudent financial decision but also a moral imperative.It represents an investment in community well-being and a tangible step towards creating a more just and equitable society. I urge you to consider the positive impact a guaranteed income pilot could have on Contra Costa's reentry population and to allocate funds accordingly.I am dedicated to providing support and insights to this project and remain available to address any further inquiries or concerns. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Kevin Scott Program Director Just Income by Community Spring 22 CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Staff Report 1025 ESCOBAR STREET MARTINEZ, CA 94553 File #:24-1576 Agenda Date:6/3/2024 Agenda #:3. PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE Meeting Date: June 3, 2024 Subject: Record of Action Submitted For: Monica Nino, County Administrator Department: County Administrator’s Office Presenter: Enid Mendoza, PPC Staff Contact:Enid.Mendoza@cao.cccounty.us <mailto:Enid.Mendoza@cao.cccounty.us>, (925) 655-2075 Referral History: County Ordinance requires that each County body keep a record of its meetings. Though the record need not be verbatim, it must accurately reflect the agenda and the decisions made in the meeting. Referral Update: Attached for the Committee's consideration is the Record of Action for the Committee's May 6, 2024 meeting. Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s): APPROVE the Record of Action from the May 6, 2024, Public Protection Committee meeting. Fiscal Impact (if any): None. CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Printed on 5/30/2024Page 1 of 1 powered by Legistar™23 CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Committee Meeting Minutes - Draft Public Protection Committee Supervisor John Gioia, Chair Supervisor Federal D. Glover, Vice Chair https://cccounty-us.zoom.us/j/86043547578 | Call in: 888-278-0254, Conference code: 985922 1:00 PM 11780 San Pablo Ave, Ste D, El Cerrito | Or 190 East 4th Street, Pittsburg | Or Zoom/Call-in Info, see above (top left) Monday, May 6, 2024 The public may attend this meeting in person at either above location . The public may also attend this meeting remotely via Zoom or call-in. Agenda Items: Items may be taken out of order based on the business of the day and preference of the Committee. 1.Introductions Chair Gioia called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. John Gioia and Federal D. GloverPresent: 2.Public comment on any item under the jurisdiction of the Committee and not on this agenda (speakers may be limited to two (2) minutes). No one requested to speak during the public comment period . 3.CONSIDER accepting the Record of Action for the March 4, 2024 meeting of the Public Protection Committee (PPC). (Enid Mendoza, PPC Staff) Attachments:PPC March 4, 2024 Draft Record of Action Approved as presented. Chair John Gioia and Vice Chair GloverAye: Result:Passed 4.CONSIDER accepting a report from the Probation Department on the Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council. (Esa Ehmen-Krause, County Probation Officer) Attachments:JJCC Slides - PPC The committee inquired about vacancies, and the recent struggle with achieving quorum. Chair Gioia suggested doing more outreach to community based organizations and shared an interest in reviewing applicants . Esa Ehmen-Krause, County Probation Page 1 of 3 24 Public Protection Committee Committee Meeting Minutes - Draft May 6, 2024 Officer, confirmed various outreach efforts and offered to send the Committee members their outreach publications for further distribution . Vice Chair Glover highlighted East County and Antioch community program models . Public comment was received by a member of the Racial Justice Coalition, on applauding the Chief Probation Officer's efforts and all organizations that receive funding. Chair John Gioia and Vice Chair GloverAye: Result:Passed 5.CONSIDER accepting the proposed 2024 Public Protection Committee (PPC) Workplan. (Enid Mendoza, PPC Staff) Attachments:2024 Calendar and Workplan The Committee discussed the calendar dates and approved cancelling the July meeting and moving the Public Defender's planned July 25th Holistic Intervention Partnership report to the Committee's August 5th meeting. Chair John Gioia and Vice Chair GloverAye: Result:Passed 6.The next meeting is currently scheduled for June 3, 2024. 7.Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 1:24 p.m. General Information This meeting provides reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities planning to attend a the meetings. Contact the staff person listed below at least 72 hours before the meeting. Any disclosable public records related to an open session item on a regular meeting agenda and distributed by the County to a majority of members of the Committee less than 96 hours prior to that meeting are available for public inspection at 1025 Escobar St., 4th Floor, Martinez, during normal business hours. Staff reports related to items on the agenda are also accessible on line at www.co.contra-costa.ca.us. HOW TO PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT: Persons who wish to address the Committee during public comment on matters within the jurisdiction of the Committee that are not on the agenda, or who wish to comment with respect to an item on the agenda, may comment in person, via Zoom, or via call-in. Those participating in person should offer comments when invited by the Committee Chair. Those participating via Zoom should indicate they wish to speak by using the “raise your hand” feature in the Zoom app. Those calling in should indicate they wish to speak by pushing *9 on their phones. Public comments generally will be limited to two (2) minutes per speaker. In the interest of facilitating the business of the Board Committee, the total amount of time that a member of the public may use in addressing the Board Committee on all agenda items is 10 minutes. Your patience is appreciated. Public comments may also be submitted to Committee staff before the meeting by email at Enid.Mendoza@cao.cccounty.us or by voicemail by calling (925) 655-2075. Comments submitted by email or voicemail will be included in the record of the meeting but will not be read or played aloud during the meeting. Page 2 of 3 25 Public Protection Committee Committee Meeting Minutes - Draft May 6, 2024 For Additional Information Contact: Enid Mendoza, Committee Staff Email: Enid.Mendoza@cao.cccounty.us Phone: (925) 655-2075 Fax: (925) 655-2066 Page 3 of 3 26 CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Staff Report 1025 ESCOBAR STREET MARTINEZ, CA 94553 File #:24-1577 Agenda Date:6/3/2024 Agenda #:4. PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE Meeting Date: June 3, 2024 Subject: Backyard Breeding Submitted For: Ben Winkleblack, Animal Services Director Department: Animal Services Department Referral Name: Animal Services Department Operations Updates Presenter: Ben Winkleblack, Animal Services Director Contact: Steve.Burdo@asd.cccounty.us Referral History: On May 23, 2023, the Board of Supervisors referred the Contra Costa Animal Servies (CCAS) Department to the Public Protection Committee (PPC) to provide an update on its center operations. The update would inform the Board and the public of the operational performance measures of CCAS, including animal shelter intake and outcomes. On July 3, 2023, the Department presented the animal shelter’s challenges, which other animal welfare organizations share both nationally and statewide. The pressing issue CCAS presented was the limited capacity to serve a growing animal shelter population. During public comments, members of the public shared their needs and concerns around CCAS’ lack of overall animal services within the County, and the lack of spay and neuter services in the community. The PPC requested that CCAS return to its next meeting on August 7, 2023, with a draft CCAS proposal for Measure X funding and strategies to address the following areas: •Increasing public access to low cost spay and neuter clinics, •Building more robust foster and adoption programs, and •Increasing CCAS community adoption and vaccine events. On February 6, 2024, the Board of Supervisor’s referred CCAS to the PPC to provide a status on the FY 2023/24 operations and community engagement updates, along with the FY 2024/25 plan on increasing service delivery operations and community services. On March 4, 2024 CCAS provided a report to the PPC with information on low-cost spay and neuter services, community outreach and engagement, and additional funding sources to support community-based services. During this discussion, the PPC requested that CCAS return to the Committee with information regarding backyard breeding issues in the County and areas where city partnerships and support are needed. Referral Update: Please see the attached report from CCAS, which will be presented by the new Animal Services Director, Ben CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Printed on 5/30/2024Page 1 of 2 powered by Legistar™27 File #:24-1577 Agenda Date:6/3/2024 Agenda #:4. Winkleblack. Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s): RECEIVE the report from the Animal Services Department and provide direction to staff, as needed. Fiscal Impact (if any): There is no fiscal impact for receiving this report. CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Printed on 5/30/2024Page 2 of 2 powered by Legistar™28 CONTRA COSTA COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE BACKYARD BREEDING JUNE 3, 20241 29 Overview 2 •Introduction •Current County Ordinances •State Law •Local Government Examples •Options for Board of Supervisors to Consider •Questions 30 Backyard Breeding in Contra Costa County 3 •CCAS does not receive many calls or complaints regarding backyard breeding. •Though we suspect backyard breeding occurs in Contra Costa County, it is hard to determine the level of breeding because we don’t receive those type of calls and therefore there is no tracking mechanism. •CCAS typically encounters breeding in the following ways: •Hoarding investigations (whereas the animals are not being bred for sale) •Cruelty investigations •Complaints received about the number of animals in a home •Owners who become deceased or hospitalized •When we encounter breeding situations, our goal is to work with the owner to alleviate the situation and ensure compliance with county and state laws. •We make sure that the pets are medically evaluated, spay/neutered, and if necessary, properly placed. 31 Case Study 4 Call for Service: •20+ cats in home, many are sick. o Upon arrival, officers could immediately detect a strong urine smell and observed 15 litter boxes in the residence. o Officers also observed several seemingly sick cats and kittens. o Officers were concerned about the health of the animals and a possible inhumane situation, in addition to concerns about the appearance of what seemed to be numerous unaltered animals. o Owner disclosed that they have been providing care for a feral cat community and the breeding had gotten out of hand. o Owner estimated they have not been able to alter the cats and estimated there were over 30 intact cats in the colony, several with varying degrees of illness. o Owner disclosed that they have not been able to manage the situation because they have been ill. •Plan of Action o CCAS team developed a plan of action to ensure all sick cats get the medical services they need, and that all unaltered cats will be altered. o CCAS provided the resident with cat carriers and traps. o All sick/injured cats were admitted to CCAS for medical treatment. o Worked with owner to sign owner surrender forms and other paperwork allowing us to care for and place the cats. o Field operations team notified local code enforcement. •Outcome:24 cats impounded and treated for upper respiratory infection, ringworm, and other medical issues. All cats were ultimately spayed/neutered and placed into foster, transferred to a local rescue group, or placed for adoption at CCAS. 32 Current County Ordinances 5 Breeding Limitations •“No person, except as provided below, shall allow the parturition and rearing of more than one litter of dogs and one litter of cats in any one calendar year.” (Ord. Code §416-6.216(a).) •“Persons holding multiple pet or kennel licenses may allow the parturition and rearing of no more than one litter per bitch registered by a nationally recognized dog registering body and one litter per queen registered by a nationally recognized cat registering body, in any one calendar year.” (Ord. Code §416-6.216(b).) 33 Current County Ordinances 6 License Types •Multiple Pet Licenses: •No more than three dogs and no more than five cats over six months of age in area zoned for uses other than agriculture. (Ord. Code §416-6.200(a).) •Dog fancier: four or more dogs over the age of six months kept (i) as pets; (ii) for showing in recognized dog shows; (iii) for working and hunting; or (iv) for improving the variety of breed in temperament or conformation with a view to exhibition in shows or trials or for use as working dogs in hunting. (Ord. Code §82-4.232.) •Kennel Licenses: •No more than 20 dogs and no more than 20 cats over six months of age, and no dogs or cats for commercial purposes (“commercial purposes” does not include the sale of individual animals to private owners). (Ord. Code §416-6.200(b).) 34 Current County Ordinances 7 License Requirements •Director of planning and animal services director may jointly or severally promulgate regulations governing applications for and issuance of kennel licenses. (Ord. Code §416-6.202(c).) •Conditions for licensure: (Ord. Code §416-6.202(d)) •Adequate facilities •Applicant has not had license previously revoked •Animals secured / confined to premises •Procedures for license approval: (Ord. Code §§416-6.204; 416-6.206) •Premises inspection •Period of validity - not less than one year •Denial procedure - notice and hearing requirements 35 Current County Ordinances 8 Penalties for Licensing Violations •Violations are punishable by a fine: •$50 for a first offense •$100 for a second or subsequent offense •(Ord. Code § 416-4.604(a).) •Continuing violations subject to administrative fines: •Department must first serve a notice of violation, allowing at least 10 days to correct •$100 following first Notice of Fine •$200 following second Notice of Fine w/in “same year” •$500 following each subsequent Notice w/in one year •(Ord. Code § 416-4.806(a)-(d).) 36 State Laws 9 •Health & Safety Code §§122045 – 122110 •Establishes the processes and procedures breeders must take to be compliant with state law. •Health & Safety Code §§122354.5 and 122357 •Established through the passage of AB 485 in 2018. Law took effect on Jan. 1, 2019. Requires pet stores to only sell animals obtained from animal shelters or rescues. •Does not apply to “hobby breeders” (backyard breeders). •AB 702 (2021) •Bill would have established a permitting requirement for breeders, limiting to one limit per breeding animal per year. •Bill pulled by author (Asm. Santiago) in committee due to intense opposition from the American Kennel Club and other animal welfare groups. 37 California Local Government Examples 10 •Victorville, CA •Establishes a permit process, rules, and fee structure regarding breeding. •Limits breeders to one litter per year for each permitted animal. •County of Los Angeles, CA •Establishes a permit process, rules, and fee structure regarding breeding. •Limits breeders to one litter per year for each permitted animal. •Palm Springs, CA •Establishes a permit process, rules, and fee structure regarding breeding. •Limits breeders to one litter per year for each permitted animal. 38 Options for Consideration 11 •Develop a breeding ordinance similar to Los Angeles County, Victorville, and Palm Springs •Would establish a permit process, rules, and fee structure regarding breeding. •Would require additional funding beyond our current operating budget to create, staff and promote the program (estimated to be approx. $300,000/year). •Completely ban backyard breeding •Strong possibility that such an ordinance would face legal challenge. •Would be the first local government to enact a complete ban. •Funding for spay and neuter through licensing •Increase cost of unaltered animal license. •Enforcement through Administrative Citations by mail •Portion of unaltered licenses used to fund spay and neuter •Make no change •Continue to work within the current state laws and County animal/zoning codes. 39 Other Considerations 12 •Enforcement •Enacting an ordinance similar to other local governments in the state would be challenging to enforce under the department’s current operating budget. •CCAS is currently unable to enforce existing limitations on breeding. •Would require additional funding beyond our current operating budget to create, staff, and promote the program (estimated to be approx. $250,000 - $300,000/year). •Application •Would the ordinance be applicable countywide or only in unincorporated Contra Costa County? •If countywide, would Antioch be covered? •Unintended Consequences •Potential to impact necessity breeders such as working dog breeders (ex: Guide Dogs for the Blind), breeders of hypoallergenic breeds, etc. 40 Thank you! 13 Questions? 41 CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Staff Report 1025 ESCOBAR STREET MARTINEZ, CA 94553 File #:24-1578 Agenda Date:6/3/2024 Agenda #:5. PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE Meeting Date: June 3, 2024 Subject: County Law Enforcement Participation and Interaction with Federal Immigration Authorities Submitted For: David Livingston, Sheriff-Coroner Department: Office of the Sheriff Referral Name: County Law Enforcement Participation and Interaction with Federal Immigration Authorities Presenter: Jason Vorhauer, Assistant Sheriff Contact: jvorh@so.cccounty.us Referral History: On February 7, 2017, the Board of Supervisors referred the topic of law enforcement participation and interaction with federal immigration authorities to the Public Protection Committee (PPC) for review. The referral was made in response to a growing public concern around the county, especially among immigrant communities, about the nature of local law enforcement interaction with federal immigration authorities. Increasing public concerns that the political environment impacted the willingness of immigrant community residents to access certain health and social services provided by community-based organizations. A specific concern by the Executive Director of Early Childhood Mental Health reported that a number of Latino families were canceling mental health appointments for their children due to concerns over being deported. On October 5, 2017, Governor Brown signed the California Values Act - Senate Bill 54 (De Leon), which among other things, prohibits state and local law enforcement agencies from using money or personnel to investigate, interrogate, detain, detect, or arrest persons for immigration enforcement purposes. At the Committee’s November 2017 meeting, an update on this topic, including the status of current litigation across the country regarding immigration policy and a briefing on the final version of SB 54 (De Leon) was received. County Counsel provided an analysis of the Sheriff's Office and Probation Department’s policies compared to the future requirements of SB 54. On February 5, 2018, the Committee received a report on litigation related to immigration across the nation and the County's compliance with SB 54 following the January 1, 2018 effective date. Staff reported that the U.S. Department of Justice was satisfied with the County's revised immigration policy in the Sheriff's Office, which strikes a balance with complying with both federal and state law. Additionally, the Public Defender's Office reported on efforts to launch the County's Stand Together Contra Costa program, which currently provides various services to undocumented residents in the County seeking assistance. The Committee directed staff to return at a future meeting with information related to the public forum required under the Transparent Review of Unjust Transfers and Holds (TRUTH) Act, which Governor Brown signed into law on September 28, 2016. The TRUTH Act requires local governing bodies, in which its local law enforcement agencies have provided any “ICE access” to an individual in custody to hold a community forum CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Printed on 5/30/2024Page 1 of 3 powered by Legistar™42 File #:24-1578 Agenda Date:6/3/2024 Agenda #:5. to receive and consider public comment. ICE is the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency responsible for enforcing federal laws governing border control, customs, trade, and immigration. On April 12, 2018, staff provided an update regarding the TRUTH Act Community Forum determination process. On May 23, 2018, and June 25, 2018, staff provided updates regarding the due diligence process undertaken to determine whether the County was required to hold a TRUTH Act Community Forum and the format details. Based on responses from County department heads, it was necessary to hold a community forum and the County’s first TRUTH Act Community Forum was held on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. On August 6, 2018, staff provided a follow up on the TRUTH Act community forum, including the request of the Sheriff's Office to provide further details on the 63 individuals that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was provided information about. Staff also provided additional detail about the types of exempt offenses that would allow local law enforcement to provide information about an individual to ICE. At the September and November 2018 Committee meetings, County Counsel continued to provide updates on outstanding litigation throughout the county related to immigration. Since 2018, the County has held annual TRUTH Act Community Forums. As reported by the Sheriff’s Office in TRUTH Act Community Forums since 2019, there have been zero requests from ICE to enter the detention facilities and interview inmates. The only access given to ICE under SB 54 is to receive their requests to detain, which are then further vetted for legal applicability. These ICE requests are reported on in detail each year during the TRUTH Act Community Forum; however, no physical access to the detention facilities occurs. In its 2020 annual plan recommendations, the PPC requested, and the Board approved continuing this PPC referral. On March 4, 2024, staff recommended the PPC terminate this referral due to the County conducting annual TRUTH Act compliant community forums and the Sheriff’s reporting at the forums being responsive to the Board and public questions and concerns. Although the PPC has not received an update on this topic since 2018, the Committee approved continuing this referral to the PPC for ongoing oversight. Referral Update: On May 20, 2024, the County Administrator’s Office issued a memo to all County department heads, requesting individual completion of 2024 TRUTH Act certification Form. The forms are due to the County Administrator’s Office by close of business on May 31, 2024. It is anticipated that the Sheriff’s Office will have information to report at the County’s July 23, 2024 TRUTH Act Community Forum regarding ICE access for civil immigration enforcement activities during calendar year 2023. The County Administrator’s Office will coordinate the community forum format and logistics with the Board Chair and ensure that public flyers and a press release are sent by mid-June and a newspaper publication posted no later than June 22. Attached is the Office of the Sheriff’s July 18, 2023 TRUTH Act Community Forum presentation covering CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Printed on 5/30/2024Page 2 of 3 powered by Legistar™43 File #:24-1578 Agenda Date:6/3/2024 Agenda #:5. calendar year 2022. Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s): Receive an update on the most recent law enforcement participation and interaction with federal immigration authorities and planning for the calendar year TRUTH Act Community Forum scheduled for July 23, 2024. Fiscal Impact (if any): There is no fiscal impact. CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Printed on 5/30/2024Page 3 of 3 powered by Legistar™44 Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff ICE Access Forum – 2022 Report Cal Gov. Code Section 7283.1(d) July 18, 2023 1 45 July 18, 2023 2 Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff ICE Access Forum – 2022 Report Background 1.Review current Sheriff’s Office General Policy on Immigration Status 2.Brief overview of Field Operations relative to ICE Access 3.Overview of Custody Operations relative to ICE Access 46 July 18, 2023 3 Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff ICE Access Forum – 2022 Report Sheriff’s Office General Policy No. 1.02.28 1. “No person shall be contacted, detained or arrested solely on the basis of his or her immigration status.” 2. “…the immigration status of a person, and the lack of immigration documentation should have no bearing on the manner in which Deputies execute their duties.” 47 July 18, 2023 4 Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff ICE Access Forum – 2022 Report Sheriff’s Office General Policy No. 1.02.28 (Continued) 3. IMMIGRATION DETAINERS: “The request to detain will not be honored.” 4. IMMIGRATION REQUEST FOR NOTIFICATION (ICE Form I-247A): Allowed but only in compliance with The Truth Act (Cal Gov. Code Section 7282.5). 5. Notifications of anticipated release dates are honored only for inmates held for certain charges, specifically inmates convicted of a serious or a violent felony (PC Sections 1192.7(c) and 667.5(c)). 48 July 18, 2023 5 Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff ICE Access Forum – 2022 Report Updates effective July 1, 2021: •As requested by advocacy organizations, a list of release dates is no longer posted on the Sheriff’s Office website; victims can still search for release dates by name. •ICE Agents who request to pick up a released inmate may only wait in the public lobby and will not receive any assistance unless there is a compelling risk to public safety. •At the Sheriff’s direction, Custody Services command staff collaborated with the Asian Law Caucus to further clarify custody policy in accordance with California Government Code 7284.6(a)(4) 49 July 18, 2023 6 Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff ICE Access Forum – 2022 Report Field Operations – Patrol & Investigations 1.Deputies cover the entire county – 750 square miles with a population of 1.2 million. 2.Patrol Division includes servicing 521 square miles of unincorporated area. 3.Serve a population of nearly 175,000 residents. 4.Responded to 154,122 calls for service last year. 5.Field Operations does not do any immigration enforcement. 50 July 18, 2023 7 Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff ICE Access Forum – 2022 Report Custody Services Bureau 1.Books ADULTS only for all law enforcement agencies in the county. 2.Booked approximately 15,334 inmates into Martinez Detention in 2022 51 July 18, 2023 8 Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff ICE Access Forum – 2022 Report ICE ACCESS INFORMATION - 2022 ICE I-247A Requests for Notification: Total Requests Received: 423 Total Notifications Made: 129 Notifications on Same Person: 27 Net Total Notifications Made: 102 (24%) ICE I-247a Requests for Notification - 2022 ICE Requests Made ICE Requests Granted 52 July 18, 2023 9 Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff ICE Access Forum – 2022 Report ICE ACCESS INFORMATION – 2022 Demographic Data For Those Notifications Made to ICE (n=102) Hispanic 88 Asian 2 Black 0 White 2 Other 10 Male 100 Female 2 53 July 18, 2023 10 Qualifying Prior Convictions as defined by: California Penal Code Sections 1192.7(c) & 667.5 (c) & California Government Code Section 7282.5(3) Code Violation Description Total VC 10851 Theft of Vehicle 11 PC 236 False Imprisonment 6 PC 459 / 460 (b)Commercial Burglary 7 PC 459 / 460 (a)Residential Burglary 5 PC 245(A)(1)Assault with a Deadly Weapon 4 PC 245(A)(4)Assault with a Firearm 4 VC 23153 (a) / (b)DUI with Injury 6 PC 25850 Carry a Loaded Firearm Illegally 3 PC 496(D)Possess Stolen Vehicle 3 PC 496(a)Receiving / Possession of Stolen Property 3 PC 242 Battery 3 PC 212.5 First Degree Robbery 2 PC 273.5 Corporal Injury to Spouse / Cohabitant 2 PC 69 Delay / Assault on Peace Officer 2 PC 32 Accessory After the Fact 2 PC 487 Grand Theft > $950 2 PC 29800(a)(1)Felon in Possession of a Firearm 2 PC 530.5 Identity Theft 2 PC 290 Sex Offender Registrant Violation 2 PC 148(a)(1)Resisting Arrest 2 H&S 11350 Possession of a Controlled Substance 2 PC 237(a)False Imprisonment 2 PC 417 Brandish a Weapon or Firearm 2 VC 23152 DUI 1 H&S 11378 Possess Drugs with Intent to Sell 1 54 July 18, 2023 11 Qualifying Prior Convictions as defined by: California Penal Code Sections 1192.7(c) & 667.5 (c) & California Government Code Section 7282.5(3) (Cont.)Code Violation Description Total PC 273A(b)Child Abuse/Neglect 1 PC 646.9 Stalking 1 PC 243(C)(2)Battery on a Peace Officer 1 PC 2800.2 Felony Evading Police 1 PC 288(a)Lewd or Lascivious Acts - Victim under 14 1 PC 261.5(d)Unlawful Sex (Sus > 21 yrs, Vic < 16 yrs old)1 PC 451 Arson 1 PC 211 Robbery 1 PC 33215 Possess/Manufacture Illegal Firearm 1 PC 368 Elder Abuse 1 PC 12022.1 Commit a Felony while on Bail 1 PC 243(e)(1)Domestic Battery 1 PC 246.3 Negligent Discharge of a Firearm 1 H&S 11352 Sale of a Controlled Substance 1 PC 207 Kidnapping 1 PC 524 Extortion 1 PC 23175 Felony DUI 1 Georgia Code Manufacture a Controlled Substance 1 Oregon Code Rape 1 Texas Code Felony Theft 1 Arizona Code Felony Weapons Offense 1 55 July 18, 2023 12 Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff ICE Access Forum – 2022 Report ICE ACCESS INTERVIEWS – 2022 REQUESTS FOR ICE INTERVIEWS – 2021 (Cal Gov Code Section 7283.1(a): 0 Requests NOTE: ICE Supervisors advised Sheriff’s Office staff that ICE stopped the practice of requesting interviews in California. 56 July 18, 2023 13 Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff ICE Access Forum – 2022 Report Questions? 57 CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Staff Report 1025 ESCOBAR STREET MARTINEZ, CA 94553 File #:24-1579 Agenda Date:6/3/2024 Agenda #:6. PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE Meeting Date: June 3, 2024 Subject: AB 109 Public Safety Realignment Reserve Funding Recommendations Submitted For: Esa Ehmen-Krause, Chair, Community Corrections Partnership Presenters: Esa Ehmen-Krause and Nicole Greene, Chair, CAB Policy & Budget Subcommittee Contact: Enid.Mendoza@cao.cccounty.us Referral History: The County ended fiscal year 2022-23 with approximately $39 million in AB 109 Public Safety Realignment Community Corrections Partnership (AB 109) reserve fund balance. The Community Corrections Partnership reserve policy requires a fund balance of at least 50% of the annual expenditure budget. Current FY 2023-24 expenditures are budgeted at approximately $37.5 million, and therefore require at least $18.8 million in reserves. The current fund balance of approximately $40 million is sufficient considering the $18.8 million and the $15 million assigned for CAB and Community Corrections Partnership one-time allocation. The Community Advisory Board (CAB) in collaboration with the Community Corrections Partnership - Community Corrections Partnership Executive Committee (CCP - CCP EC) engaged in a process to develop an AB 109 fund balance utilization plan, which would allocate $15 million of the approximate $39 million reserve funding to expand reentry services. The CAB identified four funding priority areas, which include housing, behavioral health, employment, and pre-release engagement. At its April 26, 2023, meeting, the CCP - CCP EC approved the proposal moving forward to the Public Protection Committee (PPC) for its consideration, while the CAB further developed the application and funding processes of the proposal. At its May 1, 2023, meeting, the PPC approved the recommendations of the CCP - CCP EC for approval of a one-time $15 million fund balance allocation, to be presented to the Board of Supervisors at a later date. The PPC directed the CCP - CCP EC and CAB to further develop the proposal so that solicitation processes and specific allocation amount recommendations for each priority area were clearly defined. The CAB initiated a process to solicit feedback and assess the County’s current reentry service delivery system through a variety of data-driven tools and methods to better understand how to best utilize the one-time $15 million fund balance allocation. Their methods included an analysis of the annual AB 109 Provider Survey (May 18, 2023); the dissemination of an In-Custody Survey soliciting feedback from individuals in-custody at all three detention facilities (August 8, 2023); and AB 109 Community Program Provider presentations on gaps in service delivery during CAB’s Program and Services Subcommittee meetings in September and October 2023. At its December 1, 2024 meeting, the CCP - CCP EC approved the baseline budget requests for the FY 2024-25 CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Printed on 5/30/2024Page 1 of 4 powered by Legistar™58 File #:24-1579 Agenda Date:6/3/2024 Agenda #:6. AB 109 budget. Budget requests from various departments included FY 2024-25 program modifications to enhance and expand current services. None of the program modifications were approved by the CCP - CCP EC due to the total cost of approximately $2 million relying on the allocation of AB 109 reserves to balance. The CCP - CCP EC instead requested that departments and CBOs with budget modifications work with the CAB to determine whether the program modifications aligned with the CAB reserve funding priorities and could be included in the CAB’s funding recommendations. In response to the CCP - CCP EC’s request, the CAB’s Policy & Budget Subcommittee held planning sessions with both County departments and AB 109 Community Program contracted providers in December 2023 through March 2024 for consideration and inclusion of the FY 2024-25 AB 109 budget and program modifications. The planning sessions provided opportunities for County departments, CBOs, and other relevant community stakeholders to present and provide information related to service needs, recommended interventions, and expected annual expenditures to expand service operations or implement new piloted programs for each of the CAB’s four funding priority areas. Referral Update: At its May 13, 2024, meeting, the CCP - CCP EC heard the CAB’s proposed AB 109 funding recommendations. The full report and attachments as presented to the CCP - CCP EC can be accessed by clicking on the following link: <https://contra-costa.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6662765&GUID=819037F3-022D-4B15-B685- 225B63E1F03B&FullText=1> The CCP - CCP EC shared appreciation for the extensive work and reporting done by the CAB. Questions were raised by Committee members on the guaranteed income pilot and countywide transportation proposals. The CCP - CCP EC unanimously voted to defer for additional CCP - CCP EC study of the priority areas 3 (employment) and 4 (pre/post-release engagement) proposals. Dr. Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director, discussed the current work her department is engaging in on the topic of guaranteed income pilots, per the Board of Supervisors direction for future consideration of Measure X funding. The direction from the CCP EC included that the CAB and Probation Department staff coordinate research efforts with the Employment and Human Services Department, to integrate further study of a CCP funded guaranteed income pilot program with the current ongoing study for a Measure X funded guaranteed income pilot program. The direction also included further development and refinement of the programs proposed in Priority Areas 3 and 4 outlined below and requested that the CAB return to the CCP - CCP EC when that process is complete for additional review. For this reason, the following projects are not before the Public Protection Committee for consideration at today’s meeting: Priority 3: Employment Proposals - totaling up to $1.5 million. -County Employment Pathway Pilot (up to $1.5 million) Priority 4: Pre/Post-Release Engagement Proposals - totaling up to $3.65 million. -Guaranteed Income Pilot (up to $2 million) -Countywide Transportation + Peer Support Service (up to $450,000) -Women's services - in-custody to post-release (up to $750,000) -CORE Team Assessment, Service Coordination, Placement After- Hours (up to $450,000) The CCP - CCP EC also unanimously approved moving ahead with the one-time funding allocation CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Printed on 5/30/2024Page 2 of 4 powered by Legistar™59 File #:24-1579 Agenda Date:6/3/2024 Agenda #:6. recommendations for the AB 109 fund balance as specified in Attachment A. The total proposed costs of the recommendations would require a one-time allocation of approximately $10.2 million. In a separate presentation by the District Attorney, the CCP - CCP EC unanimously approved funding the 3-year facility rental costs for the Department’s Major Crimes Investigative Task Force (MCITF) in the amount of $330,000. The urgency of this request and justification for not being included in the CAB’s funding recommendation processes, was due to the Federal Bureau of Investigation recently informing the District Attorney’s Office that they would no longer fund the facility costs for the MCITF’s current location. It is important to note that the recommended funding would be a one-time allocation and grant expenditure authority to departments during the term of the pilot program as stated in Attachment A. Funding such programs beyond the term and/or expenditure authority will not be sustainable in the annual AB 109 state funding allocations or via a general-purpose revenue allocation through the County budget process. Departments and CBOs are aware of the one-time nature of the allocation and would need to secure external funding sources to continue these programs should it be determined that the pilot programs were effective. It is recommended that these agencies monitor their program designs, eligibility criteria, and outcomes to support future external funding endeavors and prepare a contingency plan for sunsetting the programs should external funding not be identified at the conclusion of the pilot period. It is also important to note that the proposed funding allocations are not included in the County’s Public Safety Realignment Implementation Plan FY 2023-2024, which can be accessed by clicking on the following link: <https://www.bscc.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Contra-Costa-Updated-CCP-Annual-Plan-23-24.pdf> As provided for in the Community Corrections Performance Act of 2009 (CA Penal Code sections 1228 - 1233.7), the Community Corrections Partnership advises the Probation Department on the development and implementation of a “Community Corrections Program”. As provided for in Section 1230.1 of the CA Penal Code, the executive committee of the Community Corrections Partnership is responsible for developing a “local plan” for the implementation of the 2011 Public Safety Realignment. The executive committee votes on the plan and recommends the plan to the Board of Supervisors. The local plan “… shall be deemed accepted by the county board of supervisors unless the board rejects the plan by a vote of four-fifths of the board, in which case the plan goes back to the Community Corrections Partnership for further consideration.” (PC 1230.1(c)) Said another way, the Board of Supervisors can choose to not accept the proposal recommended by the executive committee if the Board votes 4/5 against the proposal; however, if the Board votes 3/5 against the proposal, the plan would still pass pursuant to section 1230.1(c). For this reason, only those projects outlined in Attachment A are before the Committee for review at today’s meeting and the Priority Area 3 and 4 projects remain under consideration of the CCP - EC. Today’s request seeks PPC support for the funding recommendations included in Attachment A to be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for approval of a one-time AB 109 fund balance allocation not to exceed $10.2 million. If approved by the Board of Supervisors, the CCP - CCP EC would return to the Board at a later date for approval of the FY 2024-25 budget amendment and the inclusion of the recommended one-time allocation programs in the County’s Public Safety Realignment Implementation Plan for FY 2024-25. Consistent with current AB 109 finance practices, the one-time allocation would be managed by the County Administrator’s Office and cost reimbursements for actual expenditures would be transferred on a quarterly basis to the appropriate departments. The CCP - CCP EC will return to the PPC at a future date with an update on the CAB’s proposed funding CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Printed on 5/30/2024Page 3 of 4 powered by Legistar™60 File #:24-1579 Agenda Date:6/3/2024 Agenda #:6. recommendations for their priority areas 3 and 4. Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s): APPROVE the Community Corrections Partnership - Community Corrections Partnership Executive Committee’s recommendation to appropriate up to $10.2 million in AB 109 Public Safety Realignment fund balance to support funding re-entry service priorities areas, and DIRECT staff to forward them to the Board of Supervisor for their approval. Fiscal Impact (if any): Approval of this request will result in a $10.2 million one-time reduction of AB 109 Community Corrections Partnership fund balance and would not impact the AB 109 reserve policy of maintaining over 50% of budgeted expenditure. The requested appropriation would include pilot program expenditure authority, which could cover up to a 3-year period. CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Printed on 5/30/2024Page 4 of 4 powered by Legistar™61 Attachment A Program/Project Recommended Allocation Amount Funding Period (to be kept separate from baseline in future years) Recommended Allocation Recipient CORE Street Outreach 900,000$ 3-years Health Services Department Homeless Prevention & Diversion 1,000,000$ RFP 3-years Health Services Department Rapid Rehousing 1,500,000$ RFP 2-years Health Services Department Interim Bridge Housing 4,000,000$ RFP 2-years Health Services Department TOTAL PRIORITY 1:7,400,000$ CSW Staff (3)262,479$ 1-year Health Services Department BH Mobile on Demand 669,747$ 1-year Health Services Department TOTAL PRIORITY 2:932,226$ AB 109 Community Programs 210,000$ 1-year Probation Department CCHS - Detention Health Services 250,000$ 1-year Health Services District Attorney 190,479$ 1-year District Attorney Public Defender 182,897$ 1-year Public Defender TOTAL DEPT/CBO MOD REQUESTS:833,376$ County + CBO Housing Services Coordination 434,000$ 2-years TBD Evaluation of County HR practices and data tracking & reporting capacity RE: hiring of reentry candidates 150,000$ 1-year TBD Cultural Sensitivity Training for Providers working with Justice Populations 50,000$ 1-year TBD CBO Provider Training on working with Reentry Clients w/ BH Issues 50,000$ 1-year TBD TOTAL DEPT/CBO TRAINING & PROJECT SUPPORT:684,000$ DA MCRITF Facility and Lease Cost 330,000$ 3-years District Attorney TOTAL DA MCITF:330,000$ TOTAL FUNDING ALLOCATION RECOMMENDED 10,179,602$ District Attorney Major Crimes Investigative Task Force CCP - CCP EC Approved AB 109 Funding Amendments Departmental/CBO Budget Modification Requests Departmental/CBO Training & Project Support Priority 1: Housing Priority 2: Behavioral Health 62