Agenda Item   

AGENDA STAFF REPORT

 

                                                                                                                        ASR Control  26-000076

 

MEETING DATE:

04/14/26

legal entity taking action:

Board of Supervisors

board of supervisors district(s):

All Districts

SUBMITTING Agency/Department:

Probation   (Approved)

Department contact person(s):

Daniel Hernandez (714) 645-7001 

 

 

Jessica Johnson (714) 645-7004

 

 

Subject:  Approve Contract for Proposition 47 Youth Diversion Program

 

     ceo CONCUR

County Counsel Review

Clerk of the Board

          Concur

Approved Agreement to Form

Discussion

 

 

3 Votes Board Majority

 

 

 

    Budgeted: Yes

Current Year Cost:  $500,000

Annual Cost: FY 2026-27 $3,750,000
FY 2027-28 $3,250,000

 

 

 

    Staffing Impact:

No

# of Positions:           

Sole Source:   No

    Current Fiscal Year Revenue: N/A

   Funding Source:    State: 100% (Proposition 47)

County Audit in last 3 years: No

   Levine Act Review Completed: Yes

 

    Prior Board Action:         N/A

 

RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):

 

Authorize the County Procurement Officer or Deputized designee to execute Contract with Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove, Inc. for the provision of youth diversion and efficient justice pathways, effective upon the execution of all necessary signatures, for two calendar years, in an amount not to exceed $7,500,000, renewable for three additional one-year terms.

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY:

 

Approval of the Boys & Girls Club of Garden Grove contract will provide diversion programs to eligible youth throughout Orange County who are referred by local Law Enforcement Agencies.

 

 


 

 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

 

Probation currently receives out of custody pending cases from local Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and is responsible for assessing each case and if appropriate, refers the youth to Probation diversion or other diversion services in the community. Youth diversion is an approach to address minor criminal offenses committed by youth without formal court involvement. Diversion services provided to youth and their families offer services and support options that can be tailored to the youth’s immediate needs and offer alternative interventions in addressing delinquent behavior. Diversion can include counseling, legal awareness education, community service and other supportive services with the goal of improving behavior and reducing the likelihood of a youth entering into the juvenile justice system.

 

Probation applied and was awarded funding from the Board of State & Community Corrections Proposition 47 Grant (Cohort 4) also known as Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act Grant Program. The Orange County Board of Supervisors (Board) approved this grant award for Probation in October 2024. The grant funding will be used to support local community-based organizations in the implementation of effective diversion services for Orange County youth who have committed minor offenses and do not require detention, court intervention or formal community supervision. Diversion services will be expanded within the county to allow LEAs to directly refer youth to Boys & Girls Club of Garden Grove (BGCGG). BGCGG will be required to conduct individual case assessments to identify the most effective approach to address identified concerns and provide supportive services in line with best practices, and that best meet the needs of the youth and their family.

 

On June 6, 2025, the Orange County Probation Department (Probation) Probation released a Request for Proposals (RFP) via the County of Orange’s (County) online bidding system for youth diversion programs. Probation received six proposals by the deadline of July 21, 2025. The Orange County Preference Policy (OCPP) was applicable and incorporated into this solicitation; none of the proposals qualified for the OCPP. 

 

An evaluation panel consisting of five subject matter experts rated the proposals in accordance with the criteria outlined below. 

 

Evaluation Criteria (Written)

Maximum Points

Knowledge and Experience

150

Staffing

125

Service Delivery

200

Service Cost

100

Compliance with County Model Contract

25

Maximum Written Points

600

Presentation/Interview

400

 

 

Total Maximum Points per Evaluator

1000

 

Probation received proposals from the following respondents:

 


 

 

Respondent

Overall Score

Boys and Girls Club of Garden Grove

4488

Nati's House

4328

Waymakers

4102

Mental Health Systems, Inc.*

2459

Project Youth OC*

2359

Phoenix House*

2116

 

*These proposals did not score high enough on the written evaluation to proceed to the presentation/interview portion of the evaluation.

 

The panel’s evaluation resulted in the BGCGG receiving the highest score, with an average score of 905 and as a result, the panel recommended award of Contract to BGCGG. See Attachment C for the summarized final scores, along with the individual scoring sheets. An intent to award letter was posted on February 2, 2026, and no protests were received. Probation concurred with the panel’s evaluation and entered into contract negotiations with BGCGG for community-based diversion services. With the intent to have contracted services county-wide and the expansion of specialty services, BGCGG will sub-contract with Nati’s House and Waymakers. Reference checks were satisfactory and completed with the Garden Grove Unified School District, the City of Stanton and the City of Garden Grove.

 

Scope of Services

 

The Contractor shall provide services to eligible youth ages 12 through 17, in Orange County, who are referred by local LEAs or school police agencies. The Contractor will make every effort to serve the youth within their own community to avoid creating transportation barriers and support equitable access to services. Flexible scheduling will be offered, including telehealth options, evening, weekend hours and in-home contact to accommodate family needs.

 

BCGGG will serve as a single point of entry for all referrals and inquiries to streamline access for families and LEAs, as well as provide contract oversight, clinical therapy, mental health education and case management. Waymakers will also provide clinical therapy, mental health education, career and educational support and case management.  Nati’s House will serve as the primary provider for gang-impacted youth and will provide case management for youth who are difficult to engage with or to be contacted.  Nati’s House will also conduct intentional outreach and engagement efforts for referred youth.

 

Diversion programming includes individual, family and group counseling aimed at addressing behavioral, emotional, and criminogenic needs. Youth will also participate in skill-building activities focused on life skills, decision making and community service coordination; services can also include psychoeducational groups that address anger management, juvenile offender awareness, substance abuse and parenting support. All services provided shall be grounded in evidence-based practices. Case management will include coordination with community resources that address basic needs, housing, education, and employment.  The Contractor will work proactively with youth and families to reduce barriers to participation, including transportation assistance, scheduling, and access to supportive community-based services.


 

 

The Contract will also implement an incentive program to encourage and reward the program participants for consistent attendance, positive behavior reinforcement and to promote long-term behavior changes.  This program will include both non-tangible and tangible incentives to include leadership opportunities in group settings, gift cards, art or recreational supplies, and achievement certificates.

 

See Attachment D for data reporting requirements.

 

Probation is now requesting Board authorization to execute a two-year contract with Boys & Girls Club of Garden Grove, Inc., for youth diversion and efficient justice pathways, effective upon all necessary signatures, in an amount not to exceed $7,500,000, renewable for three additional one-year terms. Probation is requesting an initial two-year contract term to coincide with the Proposition 47 grant award funding and terms; to be utilized by March 31, 2028. The optional renewal terms will only be executed if additional funding becomes available, which Probation will bring back to the Board for approval. The proposed contract is being brought to the Board less than 30 days before the contract start date due to extended negotiations to include the subcontractors within the scope of the contract. 

 

Probation has verified there are no concerns that must be addressed with respect to the Contractor’s ownership/name, litigation status or conflicts with County interests. This Contract includes subcontractors, including Waymakers and Nati’s House. See Attachment B for information regarding subcontractors and Contract Summary Form. The appropriate due diligence has been conducted and BGCGG, Waymakers and Nati’s House have been verified to be in good standing. An analysis was completed to verify the contract provides County with persons specially trained, experienced, expert and competent to perform the special services in accordance with the law.

 

 

 

 

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

 

Appropriations for this Contract are included in Budget Control 057 FY 2025-26 Budget and will be included in the budgeting process for future years. The proposed Contract includes provisions that the Contract is contingent upon the availability of funds and inclusion of sufficient funds in the budget approved by the Board for each fiscal year the Contract remains in effect or operation.  In the event such funding is terminated or reduced, the County may terminate the Contract, reduce the County’s maximum obligation or modify the Contract, without penalty. 

 

 

 

STAFFING IMPACT:

 

N/A

 

ATTACHMENT(S):

 

Attachment A – Contract MA-057-25011614 with Boys & Girls Club of Garden Grove, Inc.
Attachment B – Contract Summary Form
Attachment C – Summarized Score Sheet and Evaluator Scores
Attachment D – List of Reported Data