HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06091998 - C99 C.99
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY CALIFORNIA
Adopted this Order on . June 9-1998 by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Uilkema, Gerber, DeSaulnier, Canciamilia, Rogers
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Nene
SUBJECT: GRAND JURY REPORT NO. 9807
IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that the 1997-98 Contra Costa
Grand Jury Report No. 9807, "Focus on Youth at Risk, is REFERRED to the
County Administrator.
I hereby certify that this is a true
and correct copy of an action taken and
entered on the minutes of the Board of
Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED, dune 9. 1998
PHIL BATCHELOR, Cterk of the Board
of Supervisors and County Administrator
By L ) Deputy
cc: CAO
Grand Jury
A REPORT BY
THE 1997-98 CONTRA COSTA COUNTY GRAND JURY
1020 Ward Street
Martinez, California 94553
Report No. 9807 RECEIVED
MAY 2 7 1998
CONTRA CofA Co.
FOCUS ON YOUTH AT RISK
Collaboration is Key
APPROVED BY THE GRAND JURY:
Date: -97-- e
JOHIq M. HUNT
ACCEPTED FOR FILING: GRAND JURY FOREMAN
Date:
JOHN F. VAN DE POEL
OF THE SUPERIOR COURT
Section 933.(CC) & 933.45 California Government Cade
Section 933. Comments and Reports on Section X33.05 Resggnse to Grand Jury
Grand Jury Recommendations Recommendations-Conte
(C) No later than 90 days after the Reguirements; Pgrsgnal Alapearance by
grand jury submits a final report on the Responding Pady:Grand Jury Regort to
operation of any public agency subject to Affected Agency,
Its reviewing authority, the governing (a) For purposes of subdivision (c) of
body of the public agency shall comment Section 933,as to each grand jury finding,
to the presiding judge of the superior court the responding person or entity shall
on the findings and recommendations indicate one of the following;
pertaining to matters under the control of (1) The respondent agrees with the finding.
the governing body,and every elective (2)The respondent disagrees wholly or
county officer or agency head for which partially with the finding, in which case the
the grand jury has responsibility pursuant response shall specify the portion of the
to Section 914.1 shall comment within 60 finding that is disputed and shall include
days to the presiding judge of the superior an explanation of the reasons therefor.
court,with an information copy sent to the (S) For purposes of subdivision (c) of
board of supervisors,on the findings and section 933,as to each grand jury
recommendations pertaining to matters recommendation, the responding person
under the control of that county officer or or entity shall report on of the following
agency head and any agency or actions;
agencies which that officer or agency (1) The recommendation has been
head supervises or controls, in the findings implemented,with a summary regarding
and recommendations,All such comments the implemented action.
and reports shall forthwith be submitted to (2) The recommendation has not yet been
the presiding judge of the superior court implemented, but will be implemented in
who impaneled the grand jury.A copy of the future,with a timeframe for
all responses to grand jury reports shall be implementation.
placed on file with the clerk of the publlc (3) The recommendation requires further
agency and the office of the county clerk, analysis,with and explanation of the
or the mayor when applicable,and shall scope and parameters of an analysis or
remain on file in those offices. One copy study, and a timeframe for the matter to
shall be placed on file with the applicable be prepared for discussion by the officer
grand jury final report by,and in the or director of the agency or department
control of the currently impaneled grand being investigated or reviewed, including
jury,where it shall be maintained for a the governing body of the public agency
minimum of five years. Leg.H.1961 ch. when applicable.This timeframe shall not
1284, 1963 ch. 674, 1974 chs.393,1396, 1977 exceed six months from the date of
chs. 107, 187, 1980 ch. 543, 1981 ch.203, publication of the grand jury report.
1982 ch. 1408 sec. 5, 1985 ch.221 sec.1,eff. (4) The recommendation will not be
7/12/85 ch 690 sec. 1. 1988 ch. 1297,1997 Implemented because it is not warranted
ch.443 or is not reasonable,with an explantation
therefor.
The foregoing are portions of Section 933, the responding party is responsible for
compliance with all of the requirements.
FOCUS ON YOUTH AT RFK
Collaboration its Key
Background:
The Grand Jury is concerned about children in Contra Costa County and believes that
early intervention for at-risk youth is a proper investment of resources. Drug and alcohol
use factors into juvenile offenses and results in great cost to society. The handling of
juvenile offenders differs among localities.
Findings:
1. A large majority of cases of juvenile crime and family dysfunction involve alcohol
and/or substance abuse by parents/guardians or children.
2. Juvenile court is closed to the public, so the nature and magnitude of cases is not well
reported.
3. Dug and alcohol abuse contributes to major social costs,including the following.
• Medical costs of treating infants and children exposed prenatally to drugs and
alcohol.
• Losses due to criminal activity by juveniles.
• Maintenance of juvenile justice system in which most of the cases involve substance
abuse,directly or indirectly,
• Maintenance of detention centers Juvenile Hall,Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation
Center(Byron Boys'Ranch),California Youth Authority and others.
• Special education and alternative schools.
• Drug and alcohol treatment.
• Foster carne for children of disrupted families.
• Social services for troubled.families.
• Adult justice system,jails and prisons for juveniles who move into adult crime.
4. Parents/guardians may not know where to go for help with troubled children. In some
communities,services that are available are not widely publicized.
S. Local communities can positively affect the level o f juvenile offenses using an
approach that coordinates resources. An example is Antioch's REACH Project which
provides services including. youth offender diversion,counseling,school programs,
substance abuse treatment,family treatment, REACH involves a collaboration among
community participants,the police department,the county probation department,
schools,city and county entities.
984' --1
6. REACITs youth offender diversion program involves the Youth Intervention Panel,
which includes concerned citizens in the community. The Panel regularly meets to hear
cases of juvenile first-time offenders and recommend age-and offense-appropriate
disposition. Results include relief to the juvenile court system as well as fewer repeat
offenders.
7. In West County,the Sheriffs Department has a pilot diversion program designed to
intervene with juvenile offenders and their parents/guardians on a timely basis.
8. The Probation Department works with juvenile offenders and parents/guardians in its
informal probation program,which seeks to beep children out of the justice system.
9. Most of the intervention programs have delays of weeks or months between the
offense and consequences seen by children or parents/guardians.
10. Most jurisdictions do not have suitable holding facilities for juveniles. An officer
who does arrest a juvenile offender could spend the remainder of a shift attempting
appropriate transfer of the case. Therefore,local law enforcement officers must make
choices about whether to detain juveniles for offenses secluding alcohol use,drug use,
truancy,and curfew violation. Jurisdictions differ in the handling of youthful
transgressors,and officers frequently choose not to pick up juveniles. Parents/guardians
are not made aware in these situations.
Conclusions:
1. Juvenile crime often is associated with drug or alcohol abuse.
2. Early intervention with juveniles committing minor offenses also can lead to
identifying and dealing with substance abuse.
3. Local law enforcement officers need convenient receiving/assessment centers
available to take custody of juveniles accused of offenses,for timely and appropriate
disposition.
4. Many local law enforcement departments have no facilities suitable for holding
juveniles. Juvenile Dail cannot accommodate juveniles arrested for minor crimes as it is
crowded with those mused of major and violent offenses. Appropriate disposition for
detained juveniles will vary but usually would involve summoning of parents/guardians.
5. Juveniles need to see immediate consequences of illegal behavior. Immediate
involvement of parents/guardians is essential.
9807-2
6. Local communities can organize collaborative effort to address illegal juvenile
activity. This must involve citizens,schools,law enforcement,county and city
government entities. Antioch`s REACH program embodies the spirit of collaboration
necessary for a viable youth intervention process.
7. Parents/guardians need a place to go for help for children in trouble. Local resource
points must take parental referrals and be able to provide appropriate options for
intervention or treatment.
8. The Financial and Duman costs of drug and alcohol abuse are pervasive,including both
the health care system and the criminal justice system.
9. Local law enfbrcement officials make the best judgments they can in handling of
juveniles who are involved in minor offenses,based upon the current availability of
resources.
Recommendations:
The Cn=d Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors assume a leadership role in a
collaborative effort among city and county agencies,law+enforcement departments and
schools to:
1. Establish juvenile receiving/assessment centers in locations throughout the county.
These centers would be available 24 hours a day,staffed by persons with authority to
hold juveniles for proper disposition(e.g.,release to pamnts/gu a rdians,relocation to
Juvenile Hall,transfer to foster care,etc.). Facilities already in place which can be
modified to house juveniles should be considered as receiving centers. Possibilities
include some local police department holding facilities,West County Detention Center,
Juvenile Hall facilities including Lion's trate.
2. Expand community-based youth intervention panels,court-like processes for juvenile
first-time offenders,which dispense age-appropriate and offense-appropriate remedies
for child crime.
3. Expand existing diversion programs designed for intervention with youth and timely
involvement of parents/guardians.
4. Enforce existing laws,including those for under-age alcohol consumption,illegal
substance use,vandalism,truancy,weapons possession,curfew violation. Law
enforcement officers would be able too deliver juveniles to convenient
receiving/assessment centers for appropriate processing.
S. Consider imposition of fees to parents/guardians to partially offset costs of operating
programs.
9807--3