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Board renews Project Kinship reentry contract amid public calls for tighter audits and clearer performance metrics
Summary
Supervisors approved an amendment to renew Project Kinship's corrections reentry services contract; public speakers criticized the group's financial transparency and urged audits while county staff defended the program's role in reducing recidivism.
The Board of Supervisors on Feb. 11 approved a contract amendment to renew Project Kinship’s corrections cohort care coordination services, a county program that provides outreach, screening, transitional housing and reentry support for people leaving correctional facilities.
County health officials and several supervisors described the program as an important element of the county’s strategy to reduce recidivism by providing immediate post‑release supports — including housing, transportation and behavioral‑health linkage. Ian Kemmer of the Health Care Agency told the board that current monthly monitoring shows the program trending toward meeting or exceeding its performance objectives for the fiscal year.
However, public commenters at the meeting criticized Project Kinship’s financial transparency and questioned reported outcomes. One commenter cited prior contract figures and called for audits and clearer staff reports; another urged federal review. The public commenters said the organization’s cumulative contract totals and reported metrics raised concerns; county staff and supervisors responded that audits are underway and that the health agency has an audit in progress.
Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento and others said accountability is important and directed staff to examine procurement and post‑award compliance frameworks used by other agencies. Supervisor Katrina Foley said she visited Project Kinship and described the contract as providing a “safe environment” outside detention for screenings, linkage and bridge housing for people with acute needs.
The board approved the contract renewal and authorized procurement officers to execute the amendment and exercise a contingency increase up to 10% under specific conditions. The motion passed unanimously.
The vote: amendment approved unanimously; board requested continued monitoring and directed staff to return with compliance measures and noted an audit of the Health Care Agency contract is underway.
