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Juvenile‑justice commissioners say transition plans missing at Hillcrest, raise special‑education concerns
Summary
Johanna Rasmussen, chair of the San Mateo County Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission, told the county board the long-promised transition plan for youth in secure facilities was missing and that many Hillcrest students with IEPs lack required behavioral supports. Board members urged stronger cross‑agency collaboration.
Johanna Rasmussen, chair of the San Mateo County Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission, told the San Mateo County Board of Education that the commission’s recent visits found a missing transition plan and widespread special‑education needs among youth in secure facilities. "For years, the JJDPC believed the plan was being updated, but they discovered it didn’t actually exist," Rasmussen said, describing the absence as a long‑standing systemic weakness.
Board Member Patricia Love echoed the commissioners’ concerns, saying that students are often pulled from class for administrative reasons rather than instructional needs and that technology problems have hampered students completing college coursework. Love urged prioritizing direct instruction and better transition planning. "Transition planning is underway," Rasmussen said, and she offered to participate in developing solutions based on her firsthand experience with youth and families.
Board members asked for clearer accountability and stronger partnerships among Probation, the County Office, and school districts. Board Member Edith Arias highlighted compliance questions, noting that during JJDPC’s visit there were about 20 students at Hillcrest—"18 with IEPs, one with a 504 plan, and one student asking how to get support"—and asked how federally required services are being delivered. Rasmussen said the commission has not yet completed a full compliance review but described substantial concerns about behavioral supports and accommodations not being feasible in a secure setting.
Superintendent Marco Chávez welcomed renewed collaboration and encouraged the group to identify strengths as well as gaps; Rasmussen praised the presence of a long‑term teacher and paraeducators whose stable relationships benefit students. Commissioners and board members discussed prevention strategies—early referrals, multilingual resource guides, restoring school‑based supports, and anti‑bullying work—to reduce future justice involvement. The Board thanked the JJDPC for its work and encouraged further, formalized planning and funding requests.
