Community Corrections Partnership (CCP) Realignment ...

Community Corrections Partnership (CCP)

Realignment Planning Workgroup

Meeting Agenda

February 23, 2022

9:00 am – 11:00 am

https://countyofsb.zoom.us/j/98220957378?pwd=WjMxcCt0MDRMU2t5ZGpWbHF3enpxQT09

1 (213) 338-8477

Meeting ID: 982 2095 7378

Passcode: 187448

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

The California State Legislature recently passed, and the Governor signed, Assembly Bill (AB) 361, which

amends the Government Code to allow Brown Act bodies to continue to meet remotely after September 30, 2021,

if there is a proclaimed state of emergency and the State or local officials recommend measures to promote social

distancing. Based on the proclaimed state of emergency and the Santa Barbara County Public Health Officer’s

recommended measures to promote social distancing in order to slow the spread of COVID-19, the Community

Corrections Partnership (CCP) and CCP Workgroup meetings will not provide in person participation.

The following alternative methods of participation are available to the public. If you wish to make a general public

comment or to comment on a specific agenda item, the following methods are available:

- Distribution to the CCP and CCP Workgroup - Submit your comment via email prior to 5 p.m. on the Tuesday

before the CCP Workgroup meeting. Please submit your comment to [email protected]. Your comment

will be placed into the record and distributed appropriately.

- Participation via Zoom or by Telephone;

Unless otherwise directed by the Chair, CCP and CCP Workgroup rules on hearings and public comment remain applicable to each of the participation methods listed above.

I. Call to Order and Introductions – Deputy Chief Probation Officer (DCPO) Holly Benton

II. Reconsider the Circumstances of the COVID-19 State of Emergency – DCPO Holly Benton

Receive a review of the legislation and requirements to continue to allow Brown Act meetings to be

held virtually.

a. Reconsider the circumstances of the COVID-19 state of emergency;

b. Consider whether State or local officials continue to impose or recommend measures to

promote social distancing;

c. Find that the CCP and Workgroup of the CCP has reconsidered the circumstances of the state

of emergency, and that the State or local officials continue to impose or recommend

measures to promote social distancing; and

d. Direct staff to continue to notice and hold headings as remote hearings consistent with

Government Code § 54953(e)(3).

Vote Required.

III. Approval of Minutes from January 19, 2022, and February 9, 2022 – All

Vote Required.


mailto:[email protected]



Meeting Agenda

February 23, 2022

9:00 am – 11:00 am


1 (213) 338-8477

Meeting ID: 982 2095 7378

Passcode: 187448

IV. Comments from the Chair – DCPO Holly Benton

V. Funding for Diversion Efforts Services and Co-Response Team Efforts

As part of the FY 2022-23 the Public Safety Realignment Spending Plan, approved by the CCP on

February 4, 2022, funds were allocated to support FY 22-23 unspecified diversion and co-response

activities. Review funding allocations and discuss activities and programs which may qualify for

these funds.

Information Only.

VI. Crestwood MHRC Pilot Program – DCPO Holly Benton and Behavioral Wellness Director Toni

Navarro


February 4, 2022, the CCP received, considered, and passed a recommendation from the CCP

Workgroup regarding an expansion of the Crestwood Pilot Program. As part of the presentation it

was noted that the use of these beds would need further discussion due to impacts from SB 317.

Receive an update on discussions regarding the pilot program.

Information Only.

VII. FY22-23 Realignment Plan Objectives – Probation Adult Division Manager Spencer Cross and

Probation Research and Special Projects Manager Karyn Milligan

The Public Safety Realignment Plan is updated on an annual basis and the CCP Workgroup’s priority

assignment is the preparation of a local plan and budget for presentation to the CCP. Receive an

update on the progress of the FY 22-23 Realignment Plan and a presentation on the FY 22-23

proposed objectives.

Information Only.

VIII. Re-Entry and Collaborative Case Planning Coordination – DCPO Holly Benton


February 4, 2022, a non-sworn position was funded to facilitate system-wide coordination of re-entry

collaborative work across the county, including pre-arraignment assessment, diversion, discharge

planning, and re-entry work. Review and discuss the draft job description for this position.

Information Only.




Meeting Agenda

February 23, 2022

9:00 am – 11:00 am


1 (213) 338-8477

Meeting ID: 982 2095 7378

Passcode: 187448

IX. New/Expanded Program Updates

Receive an update regarding progress in implementation efforts for newly-funded/expanded programs

or identified programs of interest approved in the FY2021-2022 Realignment Plan.

Edovo Tablet Program – Chief Custody Deputy Vincent Wasilewski

Neighborhood Restorative Justice Program – Chief Deputy DA John Savrnoch

Felony Diversion – Chief Deputy DA John Savrnoch

Information Only.

X. Criminal Justice Funding Opportunities – DCPO Holly Benton

Receive information on prospective submissions for funding opportunities.

Information Only.

XI. Criminal Justice Funded Program Updates – DCPO Holly Benton

Receive status updates on previously submitted funding proposals.

Prison to Employment Initiative – Workforce Development Board Executive Director Ray

McDonald

Pathway Home Grant – Workforce Development Board Executive Director Ray McDonald

DSH Diversion (AB1810) – Department of Behavioral Wellness

CREDO 47 – Public Defender Tracy Macuga

COVID Relief Grant – Department of Behavioral Wellness and Sheriff’s Office

Information Only.

XII. Public Comment - All

Three (3) minutes per commentator, not to exceed a total of fifteen (15) minutes.

XIII. Confirm Next Meeting for March 23, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. and Adjourn – DCPO Holly Benton

This agenda is subject to change up to 72 hours in advance of the meeting. Any changes will be posted at: 105 E. Anapamu, Santa Barbara; 511 E.

Lakeside Pkwy Santa Maria; 401 E. Cypress St., Lompoc.

The Community Corrections Partnership is committed to ensuring equal access to its meetings. Anyone needing special accommodations due to a

functional disability may request assistance prior to the meeting. Requests for disability-related modification or accommodation needed in order to

participate in the meeting must be made by calling (805)882-3638 no later than two (2) full business days before the start of the meeting.

Writings that are a public record under California Government Code section 54957.5, subdivision (a), and that relate to an agenda item for open session

of a regular meeting of the Community Corrections Partnership and all writings that are distributed to a majority of the members of the Community

Corrections Partnership less than 72 hours prior to that meeting shall be available for public inspection at 2121 S. Centerpointe Parkway, Santa Maria,

California, and also on the Santa Barbara County Probation Department website at: http://www.countyofsb.org/probation/ccp.sbc


http://www.countyofsb.org/probation/ccp.sbc

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Meeting Minutes

January 19, 2022

Zoom

CCP Realignment Planning Workgroup Members in Attendance:

Holly Benton, Deputy Chief Probation Officer – Santa Barbara County Probation Department, Chair

Ethan Bertrand, 2nd District Representative

Angela Braun for Darrel Parker, Court Executive Officer – Santa Barbara County Superior Court

Michael Cash, Chief of Police – Guadalupe Police Department

Paul Clementi, Principal Analyst – Santa Barbara County Executive Office

Tracy Macuga, Public Defender – Santa Barbara County Public Defender’s Office

Ray McDonald, Executive Director – Santa Barbara County Workforce Development Board

Mag Nicola, Chief Deputy District Attorney – Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office

Vincent Wasilewski, Chief Custody Deputy – Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office (SBSO)

Members Absent:

Toni Navarro, Director – Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness

Staff and Other Attendees:

Baldueza, Julius – Probation Department

Budwani, Deepak – Public Defender’s Office

Coulson, William – SBSO

Cross, Spencer – Probation Department

Flynt Tambo, Pam

Franklin, Tom – National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Gibbs, Lynne – NAMI

Grossini, Jason – SBSO

Horne, Susan – Formerly with Santa Barbara County Public Health

Kyle-Griffiths, La Mer – Public Defender’s Office

Lozada, Eddie – Probation Department

Lyons-Pruitt, Lawanda – National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

Meza, Ben – Probation Department

Milligan, Karyn – Probation Department

Nunez, Monica

Osherenko, Gail

Riordan, Suzanne – Families Act!

Saafir, Emir – Probation Department

Severance, Laurence - CLUE

Sibley, Christina – Probation Department

Soderman, Michael – District Attorney’s Office

Suel, Brianna

Swanson, Brian – Probation Department

Zeitz, Laura – Behavioral Wellness

I. Call to Order – Deputy Chief Probation Officer (DCPO) Holly Benton

The meeting was called to order at 9:03 a.m. attendees provided names on-screen and roll call

was taken.


In October, County Counsel presented AB361, which amended portions of the Brown Act to

allow voting bodies to continue meeting virtually as long as two conditions are met; a state of

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emergency has been declared, and a local health official has recommended social distancing. If

the CCP WG would like to remain virtual, the voting body must meet and vote to continue

virtually every 30 days. At this time, both conditions are met, so today’s vote would be to

continue conducting CCP WG meetings virtually for the next 30 days.

A motion was made by Michael Cash and seconded by Ray McDonald to continue conducting

Community Corrections Partnership Realignment Planning Workgroup (CCP Workgroup)

meetings virtually.

o A roll call vote was taken of the CCP Workgroup members present.

Ayes: 9

(Ethan Bertrand, Tracy Macuga, Ray McDonald, Paul Clementi, Mag Nicola, Angela

Braun, Holly Benton, Vincent Wasilewski, Michael Cash)

Nays: 0

Abstention: 0

III. Approval of Minutes – All

A motion was made by Mag Nicola and seconded by Vincent Wasilewski to approve the minutes

of the January 5, 2022, Community Corrections Partnership Realignment Planning Workgroup

(CCP Workgroup) meeting as submitted.


Ayes: 7

(Tracy Macuga, Paul Clementi, Mag Nicola, Angela Braun, Holly Benton, Vincent

Wasilewski, Michael Cash)

Nays: 0

Abstention: 2 (Ethan Bertrand, Ray McDonald)

IV. Comments from the Chair – DCPO Holly Benton

The next scheduled CCP WG meeting will exceed the 30-day window needed for voting to

continue virtually pursuant to AB361. A short special meeting will be held on February 9,

2022, to conduct a vote to continue virtually. For voting members, if you anticipate a conflict,

please let DCPO Benton or AOP Sr. Stewart know so an alternative plan can be made.

V. Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23 Realignment Budget for Submission to the Community Corrections

Partnership – DCPO Holly Benton

Budget handouts were provided and reviewed with the group.

Presentations have been held for several months outlining proposed budgets and expansion

requests. The budget outline now includes earmarks for the growth funding not previously

allocated at the last meeting; $832,510 is listed under Detention Alternatives for Diversion

Services and $209,430 under Collaborative Efforts for Co-Response Teams. These are the only

changes to the budget presented at the last meeting, bringing the total to $18,136,309. The

budget is balanced with no need for reserve funding.

o Chief Wasilewski asked for clarification as to why the Discharge Planning Coordinator

and Discharge Planning Services are under Probation as previous discussion indicated

these funds were not tied to a specific agency. DCPO Benton clarified this discharge

planning and diversion funding is not allocated specifically to Probation; it is temporarily

parked there for budget approval and can be moved anywhere once responsibilities are

decided.

o Tracy Macuga asked when the decision will be made regarding the Discharge Planning

Coordinator project. DCPO Benton replied she has been asked to set up a meeting to

begin discussions quickly.

o Ethan Bertrand expressed gratitude to the departments for earmarking funds for diversion,

he is happy to see the funding set aside for Co-Response as well and asked if the intention

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is for funding to expand the current level of service or if it would be a safety net for when

grants expire in the coming years. DCPO Benton replied that this is a great question that

will need to be discussed more in-depth at future meetings.

o Laurence Severance urged the group to reach a decision soon on how to implement the

discharge planning coordinator position and diversion earmarks. CLUE favors Probation

for coordination as they already monitor those released from jail and are in a more neutral

position. The decision needs to be made quickly as the COVID-19 crisis in the jail is an

impetus to accelerate risk assessment and coordination between departments.

o Susan Horne commented that we see the desperate need for alternatives to jail especially

for the mentally ill who need treatment. As the grand jury wrote recently, the current

situation is disturbing with a lack of treatment opportunities. The current dilemma about

diversion from jail is “divert to what,” and we have to build the answers to that question,

and to Susan, that means developing in-county forensic MHRCs for those with both

felonies and misdemeanors and serious mental illness.

A motion was made by Tracy Macuga, and seconded by Ray McDonald, for the one time

allocation of $190,000 for the Neighborhood Restorative Justice Program (District Attorney)

and Data Needs (Criminal Justice Data Committee) out of the programmatic restricted fund

balance.


Ayes: 8 (Ethan Bertrand, Tracy Macuga, Ray McDonald, Paul Clementi, Mag Nicola,

Holly Benton, Vincent Wasilewski, Michael Cash)

Nays: 0

Abstention: 1 (Angela Braun)

A motion was made by Paul Clementi and seconded by Tracy Macuga, to fund $75,000 in one

time allocations from the planning restricted fund balance (reserves) for the evaluation contract

and the annual training allocation.




Nays: 0


A motion was made by Mag Nicola and seconded by Tracy Macuga to approve the FY2022-23

realignment ongoing and expansion budgets for a total of $18,136,309 to be forwarded to the

CCP for consideration.




Nays: 0


DCPO Benton thanked all partners for their discussion, debate, and work on this budget to

ensure this process went smoothly, particularly each department’s fiscal unit, with special

thanks to the Probation Fiscal Unit for preparing budget materials.

The FY2022-23 Realignment budget will be presented to the CCP members on February 4,

2022, for approval.

VI. Crestwood MHRC Pilot Program – DCPO Holly Benton

Handouts were provided and reviewed.

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After much discussion, the MHRC subcommittee created a recommendation to move forward

to the CCP for consideration. The recommendation is to expand the Crestwood pilot from two

to four beds at a cost of approximately $730,000. The money will come from the $1.1 million

already budgeted as ongoing operational costs for the MHRC. Concurrently with the bed

expansion, data will be collected by partners to examine how the beds are used and what

population remains at the jail in need of treatment to gain a better picture of the County’s needs.

o DCPO Benton noted we received four letters from organizations or individuals to be

entered into the official record as public comment. These letters were distributed to the

group and are attached below.

o Lynne Gibbs commented NAMI is grateful the CCP recognizes that diversion to

outpatient treatment was not an option for those with the most serious mental illness and

set aside money for a forensic MHRC. Since that time, the need has grown exponentially

and is now recognized as a state crisis. NAMI appreciates the recommendation to add two

pilot beds, but in their view, it falls short of the need, and NAMI believes the CCP should

move forward with a secured treatment facility now. There is an opportunity to apply for

state infrastructure planning money; NAMI recommends there is investigation into

whether the County could compete for state money to build the MHRC.

o Suzanne Riordan commented Families Act! supports NAMI’s position on this issue in

terms of moving forward with the creation of a secured MHRC and looking into the state

funding opportunity. There has been much talk about diversion, but the question remains,

divert to where. This committee is in a good position to help, and it has been painstaking

to watch how long it has taken for two beds to be funded; this is part of the solution that

Realignment was all about. Forensic secured mental health treatment facilities for inmates

on felonies or misdemeanors, with serious mental health issues are needed. Families Act!

supports the pilot beds, but they are not enough.

o Tom Franklin thanked the CCP for the work they do and echoed Lynne and Suzanne’s

statements. Tom is the incoming NAMI President and on the BeWell commission and

agrees wholeheartedly with NAMI’s letter. Tom added that a loved one spent close to a

year in county jail waiting for a bed before the effects of COVID. COVID has now

brought the inequities and inequalities in our system into focus for people who do not

belong in jail.

o Lawanda Lyons-Pruitt echoed agreement with the positions of NAMI and Families Act!

The NAACP supports additional beds for those incarcerated with serious mental illness. It

is inhumane and unjust to let someone languish in jail and decompensate without receiving

the proper treatment. This is urgent and needs to be acted upon, going from two to four

beds is not adequate, and we can do better than that.

o Monica Nunez shared a personal story of a loved one who was incarcerated for three

years. Trying to be in the loop of his mental health needs and what treatment he was given

while incarcerated was like pulling teeth. As her relative was diverted back home, he was

not the same and had not received the proper treatment while in custody. Monica did not

receive a care plan while he was in custody, nor paperwork upon release. When Monica

spoke to people from mental wellness, they said they are not there to rehabilitate, just to

keep inmates stable while in custody. There needs to be more long-term care and better

diversion efforts.

o Ethan Bertrand commented he appreciates the public comments today and hears the

concern community members have about the need for more right now. He hopes we have

been very thoughtful with data questions and can seek to take action with what is

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determined by the pilot. Ethan is supportive of the expansion today but sees this as an

intermediary step to a more long-term option. Ethan was happy to see MIST included in

the target population as they have been underserved but he is also looking forward to

seeing how SB317 will be implemented in this County and how some MIST can be taken

out of the justice system entirely.

A motion was made by Ray McDonald and seconded by Paul Clementi, to advance the

recommendation to increase the Champion Center Pilot from two to four beds and to collect

data to measure the need for additional mental health treatment beds to the CCP for

consideration.




Nays: 0


VII. Public Comment – All

Suzanne Riordan commented how difficult it is for parents and working people to participate in

daytime meetings on top of dealing with an ongoing mental health need in the family. It is

extraordinary when one of these community members can provide testimony and Suzanne

wanted to highlight what it is like to advocate from the position of stakeholders in the

community because it is so difficult to participate in County meetings during the daytime.

Thank you for honoring our need to speak.

VIII. Confirm Next Meeting for February 23, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. and Adjourn – DCPO Holly Benton

Respectfully submitted by Lesley Stewart, Administrative Office Professional Senior

January 16, 2022

Lesley Stewart, Community Corrections Partnership Workgroup

NAMI Statement Urging Pursuit of the Secured Forensic Treatment Facility

To the Partnership,

NAMI Santa Barbara County strongly urges development of the forensic Mental Health Rehabilitation Center (MHRC) for which the Community Corrections Partnership (CCP) set aside funding in 2017/2018. MHRCs are by definition locked, longer term, mental illness treatment facilities. Our forensic facility will fill a critical gap in the treatment continuum to which jail inmates with serious mental illness (SMI) on felonies or misdemeanors can be referred for secured treatment, with subsequent step-down to outpatient services.

Recently, a NAMI mother told us about her child who had spent a year in the jail followed by release to community-based treatment. Doing well for several months, she then fell out of treatment, reoffended on a non-violent felony, and has now been back in the jail for another 4 months awaiting a state hospital bed. This is not an untypical situation among persons with the most acute SMI, who cycle repeatedly between the jail, failed housing placements, and the street, lacking the intensive treatment they need to break the cycle of crisis and re-arrest.

Felony ISTs: Santa Barbara County jail inmates on felonies, who must be returned to competency so that they can comprehend the court process, are (with few exceptions) referred to a California state hospital system when they need secured, intensive treatment. In addition, 6 persons per year on non-violent felonies who meet strict criteria are referred to community-based treatment, housed at a Santa Maria Crisis Residential Treatment facility (CRT). Misdemeanor ISTs: Misdemeanor ISTs are referred to the Psychiatric Health Facility (PHF), the Crestwood Mental Health Rehabilitation Center (MHRC), or to community-based treatment.

The California and County Crisis: Some time ago, because of a severe shortage of state hospital beds, California restricted admission largely to inmates on felony charges. Still the number of beds proved woefully insufficient, and today 1700 such inmates assessed as Incompetent-To-Stand-Trial (IST) throughout California are waiting for transfer to the state hospital system. Each month, the number continues to grow. As of early January, 26 such persons were waiting in the Santa Barbara County jail. This number does not account for 15 IST misdemeanors awaiting transfer to our Psychiatric Health Facility (PHF) or another location.

Nor does it include those with serious mental illness (SMI) in the jail who have not been assessed IST, but need secured, intensive treatment.

We have a widely acknowledged crisis of persons with SMI languishing in California jails, including ours. As a consequence, lawsuits have been brought against the CA Dept. of State Hospitals (DSH), and individual counties. This past summer, the CA Supreme Court affirmed a lower court ruling against the DSH that inmates awaiting placement at a state hospital be placed within 28 days (See California Court Rejects the State's Prolonged Detention of People with Psychiatric and Intellectual Disabilities in County Jails | ACLU of Northern CA (aclunc.org)). There is nowhere to place these patients. More recently, the DSH suspended all transfers from jails due to COVID.

IST Solutions Workgroup Report: In response to the IST crisis, in late 2021, California appointed an IST Solutions Workgroup with a short timeline for reporting. It’s recommendations (IST Solutions Report (Final).pdf (ca.gov)) focus primarily on community-based treatment. However, inmates who are IST on felonies are eligible for state hospital beds because they have been judged to need a higher level of secured treatment. Lacking this, they often are unsuccessful in stepping down to outpatient treatment, and may pose a safety risk to the community.

Jail-Based Competency Treatment: Neither is Jail-Based Competency Treatment a solution for most of this population. “Jail-Based Competency Treatment (JBCT) programs are designed to treat IST patients with lower acuity and to quickly restore them to trial competency, generally within 90 days. If a JBCT program is unable to restore an IST patient to trial competency quickly, the patient can be referred to a state hospital for longer-term IST treatment. “The IST Solutions Workgroup did not recommend JBCT as other than a short-term solution for the IST problem, because persons with SMI unable to move to trial do not belong in California jails.

Grand Jury Report on Diversion: A recent Santa Barbara County Grand Jury Report on Diversion (JailDiversion.pdf (sbcgj.org)) observes that “The question of “divert to where?” is often echoed in criminal justice meetings. The problem of lack of facilities in the County has been particularly disturbing .” The Grand Jury recommended “That the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors develop a plan to adequately address the mental health needs within the County, including repurposing existing facilities.”

New DSH Programs and Practices That Will Assign Increased Responsibility to Santa Barbara County: The Dept. of State Hospitals has recently adopted and funded a program whereby state-contracted agency representatives will re-assess IST felony inmates who have waited in excess of 60 days for state hospital placement. We expect this will result in more of these inmates being re-aligned to county responsibility.

In addition, whereas IST felony inmates who make it to a state hospital could previously be treated there for up to two years from the date of assignment, the DSH is now returning such

patients to counties as “unrestorable” in as few as 4 months. In one case, we spoke with a Santa Barbara mother whose daughter was then returned home without treatment or services. This was a person previously assessed to need high intensity, secured treatment for whom the “slate was wiped clean,” and who had to begin the multi-month process of re-applying for Behavioral Wellness outpatient services. Fortunately, she was able to return home to live, and had a family member organizing and advocating for her subsequent treatment. But, what of others returned to the responsibility of the county without family support?

Recommendation: In summary, the more years we delay in planning for an in-county forensic, secured mental health treatment facility for inmates on felonies and misdemeanors with SMI, the more pronounced the need grows.

Our understanding is that the Community Corrections Partnership (CCP) Subcommittee on the Mental Health Rehabilitation Center (MHRC) is recommending just two additional pilot program beds be added at the Crestwood MHRC for misdemeanors; and that the felony IST population has not been considered by the subcommittee.

We in NAMI believe this recommendation falls tragically short of the need for a secured, forensic treatment facility. This (NOW) is the time to follow through with the CCP’s intention to develop the forensic MHRC, while investigating potential additional state funding via the $2.3 billion Behavioral Health Infrastructure program.

Respectfully,

Lynne Gibbs, NAMI Santa Barbara County

To: Community Corrections Partnership (CCP) / Santa Barbara County From: Anonymous Date: January 19, 2022 Re: Needed SMI Treatment & Care I am a six year Santa Barbara NAMI parent of my schizoaffective adult daughter who had her first psychotic episode and was diagnosed in Wisconsin in 2016. We her parents were living in Santa Barbara. If California could learn from Wisconsin, we would be far better off. It seems she did not spend one night in jail. When she caused her first disturbance, the local police transported her two hours to Winnebago Psychiatric Hospital. I do not know the legal procedures that took place, and if California was smart, they would learn them as fast as they could. Because starting on day two of her hospital admittance, my daughter called me every day for 14 days, as I watched her immediate and remarkable improvement unfold. Her total hospital stay was approximately 30 days, after which she received a continuum of care including a case manager, doctors, therapists and medication. I believe strongly in hospitals for our SMI people. But it seems I’ve lost the battle. In the state of California it will now become the responsibility of the County she lives in. Since moving to California in 2017, my daughter has been homeless, given birth to two children fathers unknown, been incarcerated several times while waiting for treatment, and had two 24 hour stints in our Santa Barbara PHF before returning to the streets. If my daughter cannot go to a hospital, this is what she needs: She will need a secure medical facility for many weeks or more in order to see which medications work or don’t work for her. She will need dedicated professionals and doctors to care for her and work with her. She will need MediCal coverage. Our jails, local hospitals, clinics and PHF do not provide these for her. California’s psychiatric hospitals have been shuttered and/or mandated for the criminally ill, with long waiting lists for admittance. Santa Barbara County’s PHF facility has a 16 bed capacity to serve a population of over 450,000 people where long term treatment is rare. Please let us open the treatment facilities we need. To provide professional, secure, longer term, SMI treatment and care, with enough beds to serve our needs.

Hi My name is Monica N. I have been advocating for my sons health for a while. Even before his incarceration in 2018 I even met with DA Mrs. Siegel and personal regarding having my son be screened appropriately and this was not a concern to them. In 2018 my son was incarcerated for murder and felony gang enhancement and firings a firearm. In December 3rd 2021 case was dismissed and my other son had to sign him out for his release. No paperwork nor any care plan was given to us nor my son. I went to the SB county jail to confirm this and It Was confirmed that no paperwork was necessary, but supervisor on this 12/4/21 this day stated my son had court on 1/07/22 explained to her since his condition almost committing suicide was found incompatient to stand trial was sent to Atascadero state hospital and in and out of puff strapped in a safety jacket who knows how many times. Was in isolation the duration of his incarceration, how was my son or us able to know his upcoming court date. I also asked her about his mental health care plan, supervisor stated ( she doesn’t not know anything and doesn’t know there hours nor who is working this day) she did give me the extension to call from there phone in front. I did just that. I spoke to Joe from mental health and he stated my son file he was not able to access it, he could not retrieve it. I told him who my son was and why wasn’t no care plan given to us with meds, what worked for them or not so we could incorporate at home . He stated there not there to rehabilitate anyone there job is to get them by during incarceration. I was again hot in my gut of injust after all his suffering they basically said pick up the pieces to which my son is worse then when him turning himself in in 2018z December 27th he got incarcerated again he had a Mental Crisis and is again health not attended to only incarceration. Since day one I have tried working with Mental Health at the SB county jail it’s like pulling teeth. No good outcome other than he refuses to take his meds, but they force medicate and sent to the puff and strapped in a safety jacket when he needed TLC and proper Mental health care. This is legal Abuse in my eyes. Since his release I reached out to many organizations and was praying someone would hear my cries in my sons health other to hear it has to be voluntary. Also for a outpatient it was a two year wait there in SB county. This is unacceptable. It’s been a heart reneging journey for my son and the whole family because this is not just his journey it’s all of our love ones journey to healthy. Because of Hippa laws I feel any agency working with our love ones avoid to address a very sensitive topic and proper care. A mother who cares about proper Health care while paying there debt to society and should be there responsibility to make sure anyone who needs proper care get it and not do anymore damage to there right to healthcare. Thank You and blessings your way🙏🙏 💚💚All Minds Matter💚💚 Monica Nunez

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE

SANTA MARIA-LOMPOC BRANCH

P.O. BOX 1092 SANTA MARIA, CA 93456

January 18, 2022

Santa Barbara County Probation

CCP WG

Santa Barbara, CA

Dear CCP WG, As the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization whose mission is to ensure the social, political, economic, and educational equality of rights of ALL people by removing barriers such as racial hatred and discrimination and to ensure the health and well-being of all persons by envisioning a JUST society in which ALL individuals have EQUAL rights without regards to race, religion, gender, and/or any kind of discrimination, we support a secure treatment facility for individuals with serious mental illness incarcerated in Santa Barbara County Jail on felony charges.

We believe it is inhumane, unjust and not necessary for individuals with serious mental illness to languish in jail and decompensate without the correct treatment, while waiting in Jail for a state hospital bed, when other alternatives are available. We gather from the information provided to us that there are 26 individuals with felonies waiting transfer to State Hospital beds and understand that transfers have been suspended due to Covid. We also understand there are 15 individuals with misdemeanor charges awaiting some sort of treatment and the PHF has been closed due to Covid. By retention, these numbers will continue to grow.

We find the recommendation by your Workgroup to be totally inadequate and not supported by the numbers above. There is no emphasis on the dire need for a secured treatment facility for incarcerated individuals with felonies and serious mental illness. They need treatment and the Jail is not the place to house them. All individuals in custody with serious mental illness waiting transfer must be treated sooner rather than later and not allowed to languish and decompensate.

We request you look at the numbers and support a significant increase in the number of forensic MHRC beds recommended.

Sincerely,

Lawanda Lyons-Pruitt

OFFICERS:

Lawanda

Lyons-Pruitt

President

Jeff Hall

1st Vice-President

Paula Irving

2nd Vice-President

Pam Gates

3rd Vice-President

Beverly

Washington

Secretary

Dorothy Davis

Treasurer

Gloria Mantooth

Assistant Treasurer

The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights

of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.

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Meeting Minutes

February 9, 2022

Zoom

CCP Realignment Planning Workgroup Members in Attendance:

Holly Benton, Deputy Chief Probation Officer – Santa Barbara County Probation Department, Chair

Angela Braun for Darrel Parker, Court Executive Officer – Santa Barbara County Superior Court

Paul Clementi, Principal Analyst – Santa Barbara County Executive Office

Tracy Macuga, Public Defender – Santa Barbara County Public Defender’s Office

Ray McDonald, Executive Director – Santa Barbara County Workforce Development Board

Toni Navarro, Director – Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness

Mag Nicola, Chief Deputy District Attorney – Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office

Vincent Wasilewski, Chief Custody Deputy – Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office (SBSO)

Members Absent:

Ethan Bertrand, 2nd District Representative

Michael Cash, Chief of Police – Guadalupe Police Department

Staff and Other Attendees:

None

I. Call to Order – Deputy Chief Probation Officer (DCPO) Holly Benton

The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. attendees provided names on-screen and roll call

was taken.


In October, County Counsel presented AB361, which amended portions of the Brown Act to

allow voting bodies to continue meeting virtually as long as two conditions are met; a state of

emergency has been declared, and a local health official has recommended social distancing. If

the CCP WG would like to remain virtual, the voting body must meet and vote to continue

virtually every 30 days. At this time, both conditions are met, so today’s vote would be to

continue conducting CCP WG meetings virtually for the next 30 days.

A motion was made by Ray McDonald and seconded by Vincent Wasilewski to continue

conducting Community Corrections Partnership Realignment Planning Workgroup (CCP

Workgroup) meetings virtually.


Ayes: 8

(Toni Navarro, Tracy Macuga, Ray McDonald, Paul Clementi, Mag Nicola, Angela

Braun, Holly Benton, Vincent Wasilewski)

Nays: 0

Abstention: 0

III. Comments from the Chair – DCPO Holly Benton

None

IV. Public Comment – All

None

V. Confirm Next Meeting for February 23, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. and Adjourn – DCPO Holly Benton

Respectfully submitted by Lesley Stewart, Administrative Office Professional Senior

Item VI

Item VII

GOAL 1Enhance public safety by reducing recidivism1.

Reducing recidivism is the primary focus of Santa Barbara County’s Realignment efforts. Strategies for affecting the drivers of criminal behavior require the use of evidence-

based programs delivered to model fidelity. Not only has the CCP endorsed the utilization of programs proven to reduce recidivism, it has leveraged its work with

“Results First” to guide resource allocation decisions.

[1] Defined as a new felony or misdemeanor conviction 3 years from the start of supervision or release from custody

OBJECTIVES FY 2021-2022 PROJECTED OUTCOME FY 2022-2023 PROPOSED OUTCOMES

Deliver evidence-based programming that is data driven and matched to Realigned clients’ risks and needs.

As of December 31, 2021, 33% of Realigned clients successfully discharged from a CBT intervention such as R&R, Thinking for a Change, MRT or Seeking Safety showed improvement in four (4) of the six (6) domains of the TCU Criminal Thinking Scales between pre and post-test, not realizing the 90% goal for this objective. This is a new measure for FY 2021/2022 and results should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample of clients (n=36) completing both a pre and post survey as of December 31, 2021.

50% of Realigned clients successfully discharged from a CBT intervention such as R&R, Thinking for a Change, MRT or Seeking Safety will show improvement in four (4) of the six (6) domains of the TCU Criminal Thinking Scales between pre and post-test.

Expand the use of best practices for evidence-based sentencing and adjudication that utilizes Realigned clients’ specific risk-needs, and responsivity measures.

How and to what extent COVID influenced reoffending and crime rates has yet to be determined. With this acknowledged, Santa Barbara County Superior Court and Probation records indicate the percentage of Realigned clients with a new felony or misdemeanor conviction three (3) years from the start of supervision or release from custody as:• 44% for PRCS clients. This is a decrease from

54.5% and exceeds the FY 21/22 goal of 50%. • 51% for PSS clients. This is an increase from

45.3% and does not meet the FY 21/22 goal of 45%.

Maintain the percentage of PRCS clients with a new felony or misdemeanor conviction 3 years from the start of supervision or release from custody for PRCS clients at 44% and decrease recidivism of PSS clients to 45%.

Support professional training to advance system-wide knowledge of evidence-based practices in the criminal justice field.

As of December 31, 2021 ten (10) training opportunities related to evidence-based practices and/or interventions were provided to staff and service providers, exceeding the goal of eight (8).

Ensure no less than ten (10) training opportunities related to evidence-based practices and/or interventions are provided to staff and service providers.

GOAL 2Enhance the use of alternative detentions (pre- and post-

sentence) for appropriate justice-involved individuals.

The CCP is focused on reducing the reliance on incarceration through the utilization of alternative sentencing options for appropriate justice-involved individuals. Research-based assessment instruments are used to assure the safety of the community and

reduce unnecessary detention for eligible individuals including those who are awaiting the trial and those already sentenced.


Utilize evidence-based assessment tools for pretrial and post-sentence jail release decisions.

From July 1-December 31, 2021, overrides of the Virginia Pretrial Risk Assessment Instrument (VPRAI) risk assessmentexceeded the goal of 15%.

Reduce pretrial supervision completions as a result of failure to appear or absconding from 18% to 15%. Barriers of this population identified to date include transiency, substance abuse and mental illness.

Strive to maximize jail capacity for highest-risk clients and identify those who can be safely released.

As of December 31, 2021 70% of inmates held in the jail over two (2) weeks had an IST or COMPAS completed. Additionally, 14% of the total housed jail population were assessed as low-risk2 to reoffend. This is an increase from 9% as of the same date last year.

80% of inmates held in the jail over two (2) weeks will have an IST completed. Additionally, no more than 9% of the total housed jail population will be assessed as low-risk to re-offend.

Expand the diversion of individuals from the justice system.

The COVID-19 pandemic postponed the Neighborhood Restorative Justice Program. The outcome related to the diversion of individuals from the justice system to the Neighborhood Restorative Justice Program was not realized.

Divert no less than 50 individuals from the justice system to the Neighborhood Restorative Justice Program.

[2] Defined as scoring between 1-5 on the risk of general recidivism and risk of violence scale on the COMPAS

GOAL 3 Provide for successful and equitable reentry of justice-involved

individuals back into the community. The CCP is committed to coordinating and providing services to prepare justice-involved

individuals for the successful return to their community after a period of incarceration. Strategies include providing needed rehabilitative services, removing barriers to housing as well as capturing

community input on program development and other justice system reform efforts.


Provide services and treatment in partnership with existing community providers.

49% of people (18 of 37) who enrolled in the Prison to Employment (P2E) Job Placement Service secured employment, exceeding the FY 2021-2022 goal of 45%.

Ensure that no less than 49% of people that enroll in the Prison to Employment (P2E) Job Development/Placement Service secure employment.

Facilitate access to sober living and transitional housing, as well as supportive long-term housing.

From July 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021, XX% of clients exiting supportive housing secured permanent stable housing3. An additional XX% of clients secured housing at a temporary destination such as transitional housing or an emergency shelter, (in/de)creasing the percentage to XX% but not/meeting the FY 21/22 goal of 75%.

No less than XX% of clients exiting supportive housing will secure stable housing3.

Promote a shared safety approach in conjunction with community partnerships and engagement.

In FY 2021-2022, conversations were initiated to bring a shared safety approach to Santa Barbara County, meeting the outcome for this objective.

Develop a local plan for ongoing community engagement for public safety-related discussions and decision-making.

Number of clients evaluated for referral through Community Defender Division (CDD) to services including shelter, housing, drug treatment, mental health treatment, vocational services.

56.7% of clients experiencing homelessness at first contact4

were connected to housing services by the Community Defender Division, exceeding the FY 2021-2022 goal of 50%.

Connect no less than 56.7% of advocate referrals of clients experiencing homelessness at first contact to housing services.

[3] Stable housing defined as a regular nighttime residence that is not a temporary shelter or other place not designed for sleeping[4] Clients experiencing homelessness at first contact (n=150). Housing connections include: Transitional housing, shelter, sober-living, permanent housing, and step-down housing

GOAL 4 Coordinate efforts to eliminate duplication, enhance

efficiencies, and promote best practices. Working collaboratively, the CCP is able to address emerging issues to support the Realigned

population and promote community safety. These efforts have included data integration across systems, the evaluation of Public Safety Realignment practices and programs, and fidelity

reviews of delivered evidence-based programs.

OBJECTIVES FY 2021-2022 PROJECTED OUTCOME FY 2022-2023 PROPOSED OUTCOMESEnsure fidelity to the research-based models for funded programs.

It is projected that 90% of funded evidence-based programs will have completed curriculum specific fidelity reviews in FY 2021-2022.

To assess quality and monitor program fidelity—how closely a program adheres to its research-based design— ensure no less than 90% of funded evidence-based programs have completed curriculum specific fidelity reviews.

Evaluate adherence to evidence based strategies.

In collaboration with the University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute (UCCI), a community supervision assessment and evaluation outlining and documenting the extent to which operations of the adult Probation division aligns with best practices in recidivism reduction was finalized September 27, 2021, meeting the outcome for this objective.

Prioritize recommendations outlined in the September 27, 2021 UCCI report and develop an action plan to systematically address four (4) of the identified areas to increase adherence to evidence based practices in the adult Probation division.

Collaborate with justice partners for information sharing and coordination of efforts around best practices.

“Safe At Home” community wellness operations were conducted quarterly in 20215 meeting the outcome for this objective. Wellness operations consist of observing living environments and documenting any family needs, providing information on probation and community resources, and ensuring client compliance with the terms and conditions of probation.

Recruit and hire a Multi-Agency Assessment, Case Planning and Re-Entry Coordinator to ensure all diversionary options are maximized, individuals entering the jail receive multi-agency assessments and case planning, and any individuals exiting the jail are provided a robust discharge plan and a warm handoff as appropriate.

Capture and integrate data necessary to measure outcomes.

In FY 2021-2022, the number of agencies participating in the Integrated Justice Information System (IJIS) expanded to five agencies- the District Attorney, Public Defender, Probation, SBSO and the Superior Court-meeting the outcome for this objective.

Initiate data collection effort of individuals served by the Sheriff’s Office, Behavioral Wellness and the Public Defender to inform the need for a mental health rehabilitation center (MHRC).

[5] Wellness operations conducted on: 3/25/2021, 6/10/2021, 9/14/2021, 12/9/21

GOAL 5 Support a systemic approach to studying and addressing racial and

ethnic disparities in the justice system.

The CCP is committed to understanding the extent to which racial and ethnic disparities exist within the criminal justice system. The partnership maintains its commitment to ensuring all justice-involved

individuals are treated with dignity, respect, and humanity. In FY 2022-2023, the partnership will focus on expanding its understanding and impact of racial and ethnic disparities in the justice system and

addressing and implementing processes to assist in reducing disproportionality.


Partner with local justice partners to educate staff and stakeholders and strategize approaches to address any racial and ethnic disparities in the local justice system.

The County of Santa Barbara’s Human Resources Organizational & Talent Development team offered four (4) diversity and inclusion learning opportunities including sessions on the influence of unconscious biasand the concepts and roots of racism, thereby exceeding the FY 2021-2022 goal of one (1).

Launch partnership with the California Policy Lab (CPL) and receive initial findings of how the local justice-involved population has changed over the last decade (2010 – 2020) to inform and support changes to practices and policies.

Use county-specific findings on racial and ethnic disparities to inform decision-making.

To understand how issues of inequity impact the community, a racial and ethnic equity and inclusion (REEI) survey was distributed XX, 2022.

Synthesize themes from the community REEI survey and develop action plan to address key findings.

Justice-partner agencies will implement no less than one (1) policy or practice to reduce racial and ethnic disparities and advance a culture of equity.

Solicit input from justice-involved clients and/or victims on the challenges faced and receive feedback on treatment within the criminal justice system to ensure all are treated with dignity, respect and humanity.

A survey to victims and justice-involved individuals to collect feedback around their experience with the criminal justice system was distributed August 31, 2021 and resulted in 64 responses.

Explore findings6 from the survey of victim and justice-involved individuals and develop a plan of action to improve discharge planning and delivery of services for clients returning to the community.

[6] Survey feedback includes expanding discharge service delivery to more individuals, improving service delivery time and reducing barriers to qualification

Item VIII

Multi-Agency Assessment, Case Planning and Re-Entry Coordinator

PURPOSE

Through collaboration amongst the partner agencies and the leadership of the Coordinator, Santa

Barbara County will ensure individuals entering the jail receive multi-agency assessments and

case planning that will assist in successful release at the earliest stage possible based on their risk

and needs and the statutorily available options. This approach will assist in ensuring all

diversionary options are maximized and individuals exiting the jail at all stages (pre-trial and

post sentence) have a more robust discharge plan and a warm handoff as appropriate. This work

will interface with work performed by multiple agencies, including Probation Pre-Trial Services,

the Sheriff’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office and the Discharge Planning Team.

DEFINITION

The (position title) directs collaborative efforts with County departments and other government

and community agencies to promote policy, operational practices, and supportive services to

effectively implement Public Safety Realignment goals, ensure assessment at the earliest

possible point of system involvement, coordinate reentry services for returning adults, and

engage diverse stakeholders in collaborative case planning and coordination of services. This

non-sworn coordinator is responsible for development and implementation of coordinated,

integrated and multi-disciplinary reentry and justice related partnerships and services.

(position) is responsible for infusing evidence-based practices throughout the realignment and

reentry services provided by the Probation Department, Sheriff’s Office, the Public Defender’s

Office, the Discharge Planning Team, and other county agencies and community based

partners. Principles of evidence-based practices include the principles of risk, need, responsivity,

dosage and treatment. Through the establishment of performance outcomes and on-going

measurement of relevant practices and processes, outcomes for individuals, families and

communities improve. Outcomes desired include increased assessment and diversion at the

earliest possible point for justice-involved individuals, reduction in re-arrest and recidivism for

individuals, increase in connections to and engagement in individualized services and treatment,

and reduction in harm to impacted families and communities. Guiding principles in the delivery

of reentry and realignment services include a commitment to address structural inequalities,

ensure continuity of care, cultural competency, individualized assessments, justice reinvestment,

on-going accountability, and public safety and welfare.

Under the general direction of (TBD) or designee, (this position) may represent the County on

various work groupsand steering committees. (position) is responsible for the implementation of

a public outreach and community engagement strategy that strengthens the County’s

collaboration with key stakeholders and partnerships with public and private sector service

providers.

REPORTS TO

(TBD)

CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED

May provide supervision over professional and support staff.

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Convene current stakeholders and facilitate analysis of the current system and identify

areas for challenges and gaps of current process

Prepare and execute MOUs, releases of information, and other documentation necessary

to support collaborative efforts

Assist with aligning resources, funding and grant requests across partner agencies

working on similar initiatives and programs with the re-entry population

Identify trainings and best practices to be used in the service delivery and provide or

facilitate the provision of trainings as required

Identify and implement shared platform/case notes to overcome agency silo-driven record

keeping

Develop and begin collecting and reporting out on data for demographics of those served,

services received, and outcomes that captures the work of all agencies involved,

including the tracking of individuals served post release

Facilitate supervisory and management level meetings of agency and provider staff to

ensure joint goals are achieved and drift of practices and oversight is avoided

Present concept and outcomes to the BOS and CCP

Attend and participate in the Re-Entry Steering Committee and the CCP Workgroup

meetings.

Attends program and agency related meetings and conferences

Ensures re-entry case planning encompasses key partners, support and services across the

continuum of available services

Maintains relationships and contracts within network of local service providers

Ensures compliance with laws, court orders and administrative directives relating to

services provided

Formulates, recommends and implements policies, rules, programs and procedures for

enhanced coordination and collaboration between agencies

Develops short and long-range service goals and alternatives to be shared by multiple

agencies serving the same population

Establishes and maintains rapport with local service providers

Provides responsive, high quality service to County employees, representatives of outside

agencies and members of the public

Represents the program in contacts with public and private agencies and concerned

community groups and organizations

Prepares reports and correspondence

Other duties as assigned

Knowledge of: Grant writing and administration

Organization and management

Program budgeting and fiscal management

Contract monitoring and evaluation

Basic community resources and organizations

Program planning and program policy development

Principles and practices of staff and/or volunteer supervision and training

Principles, techniques and trends in counseling, psychotherapy, and various treatment

modalities

Evidence-based, best and promising practices in the field of adult community corrections,

including but not limited to risk assessments, identification of criminogenic needs,

treatment models, the need for model fidelity, and appropriate dosage.

Principles, procedures, techniques and trends related to counseling, therapy, and guidance

of individuals, groups, and families in mental health programs and/or alcohol and drug

treatment and prevention programs

State, Federal, and local laws, regulations, and requirements for the provision of

counseling services

Alcohol and drug treatment and detoxification methods and issues, as necessitated by

area of assignment.

Ability to: Collaborate effectively, including forming ad-hoc and standing multi-disciplinary teams,

joint decision making between agencies, resource coordination and sharing, and

developing information sharing protocols

Work with people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural backgrounds

Effectively represent the County in contacts with clients, the public, community

organizations, other County staff, and other government agencies

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with professional, administrative

and clerical support staff, as well as representatives from other County departments and

community resource groups

Gather and analyze factual data and statistics

Develop and implement new methods, procedures and programs

Perform project management including scheduling, developing critical paths, tracking,

contingency planning, resource allocation, and team leadership

Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing

Be flexible and adaptable to continually changing demands or situations

Use standard office and computer equipment

Maintain confidentiality of materials and use discretion in sensitive situations

Maureen Earls CLUE CCP Meeting 2/23/2022 We support a new title for the CCP budget position changed from Discharge Coordinator to Multi Agency Assessment, Case Planning, and Reentry Coordinator. This was the understanding we had in the CCP workgroup discussion of the scope of the new position identified as needed as a system change by the workgroup. We support the CCP in its recognition of the need for improvement of the current intake, assessment, and discharge system and its intention to create a collaborative approach and identified leadership responsibility and accountability. We support the description provided in the handout, with the scope of responsibility beginning when the person enters the jail, and a transparent equitable process through the system with the goal of the earliest possible safe and just release. The system would be person centered, and accountable for safe measurable performance outcomes. We support the position being under the general direction of Probation this year, as its mission is neither defense or accusation, but to facilitate the earliest possible safe release. It is the most experienced in navigating the wide scope of diversions, has a track record of working with the Public Defender on data based success in achieving community based diversion support, resulting in the reduction of recidivism.

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