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Juvenile Probation to accept $159,000 foundation grant to expand reentry work and fund cost‑benefit study
Summary
The Department of Juvenile Probation presented a $159,000 Zellerbach Family Foundation grant to fund a cost‑benefit analysis of dispositional options and expand pre‑return family therapy and reentry supports for youth, with juvenile population declines noted and data‑sharing gaps highlighted.
The Budget and Finance Committee advanced a resolution authorizing the Department of Juvenile Probation to accept a $159,000 grant from the Zellerbach Family Foundation to support organizational development and programs that improve outcomes for youth returning from out‑of‑home placement.
Allison McGee, director of administrative services for Juvenile Probation, said the grant will fund a comprehensive cost‑benefit analysis comparing dispositional options such as Log Cabin Ranch to out‑of‑home placements, and will expand a program to begin family therapy up to three months before youth return home to improve reentry outcomes. "One is a comprehensive cost benefit analysis that will compare the various dispositional options for youth," McGee said.
Committee members asked for data and context. McGee said average daily population in the juvenile system had fallen below 100 in the past year (from about 130 previously) and described JCERT and other programs as contributing factors, but she noted the decline reflects multiple influences and that better cross‑departmental data is needed. She said Log Cabin currently serves about 22 youth, is staffed for 24, and is rated to serve up to about 50 as the program phases growth in.
Supervisors requested follow‑up information on exact booking/referral numbers, program evaluation metrics, and how the grant complements other state and federal funding streams; McGee agreed to provide those details. The committee advanced the grant with recommendation by unanimous consent.
