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Probation report prompts board requests for detailed CSEC funding, referrals and facility plans
Summary
Supervisors pressed probation leaders for a clearer accounting of juvenile facility populations, service referrals for commercially sexually exploited children, and SB 794 reimbursement and staffing plans; Supervisor Horvath requested two rapid reportbacks on finances and referral processes.
The Board heard a detailed status report from the Probation Department on July 28 and followed with extended questioning about juvenile facility populations, reopened programming and services for commercially sexually exploited children (CSEC).
Probation leaders said pools at facility sites were reopened in early July after staff completed lifeguard certification but acknowledged the certification and lifeguard staffing created an operational strain on probation’s workforce. "We are using our internal staff to address that issue," Chief Deputy Sheila Williams said, noting the department continues outreach to Parks and Recreation for lifeguard support.
Officials reported facility population numbers to the board: Los Padrinos juvenile hall was 241 at the time of the briefing (summer months show fluctuation). County counsel and probation discussed a planned BSCC reinspection and depopulation measures, and probation described options for shifting some youth to other county facilities as an interim step.
Supervisors drilled into services for CSEC youth and the administration of SB 794 funds. Probation explained SB 794 funds are reimbursement‑based and must be submitted through DCFS for state reimbursement; DYD and community providers can be contracted to deliver services and then submit invoices for reimbursement under the county flow. DYD representatives said they have capacity to provide services and have been working with probation on contracts and claims, but noted some administrative "growing pains" in invoicing and qualifying expenditures.
Supervisor Horvath pressed for concrete transparency and timelines and asked the CEO to produce: (a) a 14‑day report detailing total funds available for probation CSEC related services (SB 794, net county cost and other funding) for FY25‑26 and FY26‑27; and (b) a 30‑day analysis of how probation used available funds in FY25‑26, including referral timing, staffing impacts, and counts of referrals for CSEC services during FY25‑26. The board supported further work to ensure providers can be paid, referrals reach youth promptly, and services are matched to clinical need.
