Agenda Date: n/a

Board Briefin

DATE:

TO:

April 4, 2008

FROM:

Board of Supervisors

Bart Bohn,CountyAdministrativeOfficer~ ~SUBJECT: Countywide Gang and Juvenile Delinquency Initiative Status Report

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The purpose of this Board Briefing Report is to provide a six month (9/10/07 - 3/31/08) status report forthe Countywide Gang and Juvenile Delinquency Initiative. The County Administrative Office serves asthe lead agency and with the ongoing support of key partners (Sheriff, District Attomey, & Chief ProbationOfficer) the Gang Task Force Coordinator (GTFC) manages initiative efforts. A steering committee willhold its first meeting April 10, 2008. Representatives include: Behavioral Health, Children & FamilyServices, Probation Department, Public Defender's Office, Superior Court/Presiding Judge, DistrictAttorney's Office, Parole Authority, Sheriffs Department, City Governments, local law enforcement,Fresno County Office of Education, small and large school district representatives, and community-basedorganizations.

A county assessment is expected to be completed August 2008. Over the past six months, focus hasbeen to mobilize community members and utilize the support of the key primary partners: Sheriff, DistrictAttorney, & Chief Probation Officer to catalyze participation in the issue and leverage existing resources.A secondary goal has been to ascertain the historical response and resources countywide in dealing withgang related issues.

The GTFC has recommended utilizing an adaptation of the Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency &Prevention (OJJDP) Comprehensive Gang Model. Focused on prevention, intervention, andsuppression, the model emphasizes the need for community mobilization and participation, and abalanced comprehensive approach. Addressing gang activity has taken on a wide appeal by a multitudeof agencies (Attachment A). With the vast geography of Fresno County, an online presencewww.fcgpc.orQ has been developed as an additional resource.

HISTORY/STATUS:

On December 5, 2006, your Board approved the establishment of a Countywide Gang and JuvenileDelinquency Initiative and the addition of the Gang Task Force Director position (amended to Gang TaskForce Coordinator). In May, 2007, your Board provided responses to recommendations in the 2006-2007Grand Jury Report on Fresno County Gang Activity (Attachment B). The responses provided initialdirection once the GTFC was hired.

Gang Task Force Coordinator (GTFC): Hired September 10, 2007, responsibilities include providingcoordination for developing inter-agency programs to provide for gang prevention, intervention, andsuppression strategies; assessing community gang problems and community risk and protective factors;and identifying resources and bringing together best practices that focus on youth and adults that aregang involved or at-risk of gang involvement.; evaluating and monitoring progress and the effectivenessof coordinated gang mitigation programs.

County Assessment: "Identification of the problem is 98% of the solution". With the support of theSheriffs Department, District Attorney, Probation, and volunteer partners at CSUF, an assessment will becompleted to look at: 1) an inventory of community resources and justice system activities; 2) community

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Countywide Gang & Juvenile Delinquency Initiative Status ReportMarch 24, 2008Page 2

perceptions about gangs; 3) gang crime and demographic data; 4) risk and protective factors for ganginvolvement; and 5) county descriptive data. The assessment will be a key tool in identifyingrecommendations and next steps for effective gang prevention, intervention, and suppression practices.

Resource Development On October 22, 2007 the California Gang Reduction Intervention andPrevention (CaIGRIP) Initiative released a Request for Proposals to competitively distributeapproximately $5.3 million dollars. The GTFC facilitated two multi-city applications led by City of Kermanand City of Sanger. City of Sanger proposal (authored by GTFC) was awarded $400,000 in February2008. GTFC assisted with development of a county appropriations request presented to the county'scongressional and senate delegation, and was selected as the No. 1 social services priority project for the2008 Council of Governments One Voice appropriations request.

Convening & Community Meetings: With the support of the Sheriff's Department, District Attorney'sOffice, Probation, Selma Police Department, Mendota Public Safety Committee, sponsorship from AT&TCalifornia, and other local partners a series of gang prevention educational meetings have taken place.

. November 5, 2007 formation of Communties That Care Gang Task Force (Sanger, Selma,Reedley, Fowler, Orange Cove, Kingsburg, Parlier, and Del Rey) - will meet monthly beginning4/8/08.

. January 23, 2008, Mendota Gang Prevention Forum for Spanish-speaking residents.

. January 29, 2008, City of Selma, Selma Unified and other city partners began monthly meetingsto develop a local gang prevention coalition and plan of action.

. February 21, 2008, a countywide convening of over 150 key community stakeholders cametogether to mobilize for a gang prevention effort. From the convening, community action teamswere formed, and an invitation list for the countywide steering committee developed.

. April 10, 2008, first County Steering Committee meeting with future quarterly meetings co-locating with the Fresno Mayor's Gang Prevention Initiative Advisory Board.

WWW.FCGPC.ORG: A website including a blog feature was developed as a communication andresource tool. Included will be a page for the Fresno Countywide Gang Prevention Council, FAQs, Links& Resources, Calendar, and the Blog.

Multi-County/Regional Focus: Visits to Washington DC by members of your Board and CAO staff inJanuary and February, 2008, revealed congressional desires to see a regional approach to addressinggang activity. The GTFC is working with the primary partners, Department of Behavioral Health andcommunity organizations to identify opportunities to explore a multi-county effort and create venues fordiscussion. This includes research of other multi-county efforts, a presentation to the San Joaquin ValleyCA Counties, dialogue with the CA Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley, and contact with the 'gangtask force' leads in each of the Central California counties.

FOCUS OF STAFF ACTIVITY:

The focus of the Gang Task Force Coordinator has been to build on the foundation of support from theSheriffs Department, District Attorney, and Probation Department to devise a plan and developcommunication channels for addressing the Boards response to the Grand Jury Reportrecommendations regarding gang activity in Fresno County. This consists of research of current andpotential gang prevention, intervention and suppression strategies (including the Fresno Mayor's GangPrevention Initiative), meeting and working with County departments, city governments, schools, andcommunity-based organizations to ascertain what levels of collaboration will be most efficient andeffective, and understanding what model(s) would best serve the county.

CONTACT PERSON:

Should your Board have any questions, please contact Debra McKenzie, Gang Task Force Coordinator,County Administrative Office at 559.488.1710

FC-019 (eForms 0704) Page 2 of 2

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INTERESTED COMMUNITY GROUPS/OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES:

Attachment A

The issue of addressing gang activity in the county has taken on a wide appeal by a multitude of agencies andindividuals interested in improving the overall quality of life for Fresno County residents and neighborhoods.

This list provides an overview of the breadth and depth of community engagement in addressing gang activitywith the County of Fresno.

A&J Social ServicesAesthetic View InstituteAT&T CaliforniaBiola Community Services Dist.Boys & Girls Clubs of Fresno CountyBusiness JournalCalifornia Cities NetworkCalifornia Department of Corrections(PACT)California Health Collaborative -Foothill Middle School STOPCalifornia State University, FresnoCalwa ResidentsCaruthers Fair BoardCaruthers Unified School DistrictChildren & Family ServicesCity of CoalingaCity of FowlerCity of Fresno (Mayor's Office)City of HuronCity of KingsburgCity of MendotaCity of ReedleyCity of Sanger (Mayor's Office)City of San JoaquinCity of SelmaClovis Chamber of CommerceClovis Police DepartmentClovis Unified School DistrictCoalinga Police DepartmentCommunity Services DistrictCounty of Fresno, DBHCounty of Fresno, CAOCounty of Fresno, Community HealthCounty of Fresno, E&TACounty of Fresno, Office of DACounty of Fresno, Probation Dept.

County of Fresno, Sheriffs Dept.County of Fresno, District 1County of Fresno, District 2County of Fresno, District 3County of Fresno, District 4County of Fresno, District 5Del Rey Community Svc. Dist.Department of JusticeEI Capitan Middle SchoolElkhorn ChaplainEmpowerment Institute, Inc.Firebaugh Police DepartmentFirebaugh Unified School DistrictFocus ForwardFoster Care Standards & OversightCommitteeFresno Business CouncilFresno County EconomicOpportunity CommissionFresno County LibraryFresno County TriadFresno Families FirstFresno Pacific UniversityFresno Police DepartmentFresno Unified School District

Fresno Unified SD-Hoover HighFresno Works for Better HealthGenesis Family CenterHeartland SchoolHouse of HopeHuman Resources ConsortiumHuron Enterprise CommunityInteragency CouncilKerman Unified School DistrictKing of Kings Community CenterKings Canyon Unified SDKingsburg Elementary DistrictKingsburg Police DepartmentLaton High School

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Malaga ResidentsMendota Unified - Board

Monroe Elementary School DistrictOffice of Assembly Member JuanArambulaOffice of Congressman Jim CostaOffice of Senator Dave CogdillOffice of Senator Dianne FeinsteinOne by One LeadershipParlier Chamber of CommerceParlier Police DepartmentPrimer PasoProteus IncReading and BeyondReedley Police DepartmentRiverdale Unified School DistrictSan Joaquin Valley Info ServiceSanctuary Transitional LivingSanger Police DepartmentSelma Police DepartmentSelma Unified School DistrictSierra Unified School DistrictTabernacle of Praise ChristianCenterThe California Endowment

The Parks at Fig GardenThe Ramsey GroupTioga Middle SchoolTransitional Living Centers 1&2United WayWashington Colony ElementaryWest Care California

Westside Tule EnterpriseCornrnunityWillow International CommunityCollege CenterWorkforce Investment BoardWorkforce-ConnectionYouth Leadership Institute

County of Fresno

Board of Supervisors

RESPONSE TO THE

2006-07

FRESNO COUNTY GRAND JURY

FINAL REPORT #1

Attachment B

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SAVING FUTURE GENERATIONS

FRESNO COUNTY GANG ACTIVITY

Please find below the Fresno County Board of Supervisor's response to the 2006-07 Grand JuryFinal Report #1.

Findinas

F1:

F2:

F3:

F4:

F5:

F6:

F7:

F8:

F9:

F10:

F11:

F12:

F13:

F14:

F15:

F16:

F17:

F18:

F19:

F20:

F21:

Gang activity is rampantin Fresno County.

Gang membership increased 33%from 2001to 2006.

Gang membership in Fresno County is five (5) times the national average percapita.

During 2005,more than 3,500gang memberswere booked into the Fresno CountyJail.

Incarceration costs $50 to $70 per day per inmate in the Fresno County Jail.

On a given day in October 2006, out of a census of 3,510 inmates, 1,485 wereidentified as gang members in the Fresno County Jail. The cost for the gangmembers was in excess of $74,250.

A decrease in gang activity would result in a reduction in economic costs andhuman suffering.

A multi-faceted approach to the gang problem includes prevention.

Sufficient funding for prevention and intervention of gangs is woefullylacking.

Effective prevention must be school-based commencing in grades four (4)through eight (8).Some school district's do not have senior-level administrators to coordinate thegang prevention programs.

There are several outstanding gang prevention and intervention programs inoperation which should be augmented, expanded and coordinated into acomprehensive plan.

The District Attorney's gang injunctions are in place and effective.

The District Attorney's TIPprogram has beenfound to be effective.

There is insufficient coordination between Cityand County agencies.

At present there is no comprehensive plan to address the gang problem.

Clear goals, accountability and sufficient funding are lacking for prevention andintervention programs.

There is little community involvement in current planning.

Agencies that impact gang problems do not include monies in their budgets forprevention and intervention.

Private foundation funding is available for the development of a countywidestrategic plan.

Time is of the essence. A delay in addressing this problem increases the dailycost of gang activities.

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The Fresno County Board of Supervisors agrees with Findings 1 - 21, which is why theBoard created a County of Fresno Gang and Juvenile Delinquency Initiative onDecember 5,2006. This Initiative includes a Countywide Gang Task Force Directorposition and a Steering Committee comprised of representatives from County agencies,city governments, local law enforcement, local businesses, education, health and socialservice organizations, and community and faith-based groups.

Recommendations

A100: Develop and implement a five-year comprehensive strategic plan for the reductionof gangs in Fresno County. That a strong accountability model be developedwhich would include timelines and assign appropriate responsibility.

Recommendation requires further analysis. The Board has demonstrated their supportfor the reduction of gang activity in Fresno County with the adoption of a County ofFresno Gang and Juvenile Delinquency Initiative and by providing funding for a CountyGang Task Force Coordinator. The appropriate next steps will be developed once theCounty Gang Task Force Coordinator has been hired.

A101: All efforts to reduce gang activity must be coordinated countywide with clearchannels of authority, appropriate responsibility and open communication links.

Recommendation has been implemented. On December 5,2006, the Board created aCounty of Fresno Gang and Juvenile Delinquency Initiative which will have a SteeringCommittee composed of representatives from County agencies, city governments, locallaw enforcement, local businesses, education, health and social service organizations,and community and faith-based groups. This Committee will be coordinated and chairedby a Gang Task Force Coordinator who will report directly to the County AdministrativeOfficer.

A102: A countywide gang summit should be convened to focus on a coordination ofgang initiative efforts and to consider a five-year strategic plan.

Recommendation requires further analysis. The Board has demonstrated their supportfor the reduction of gang activity in Fresno County with the adoption of a County ofFresno Gang and Juvenile Delinquency Initiative and by providing funding for a CountyGang Task Force Coordinator. The appropriate next steps will be developed once theCounty Gang Task Force Coordinator has been hired.

A103: Major gang prevention efforts to be school-based, focused on grades four (4)through eight (8) in neighborhoods where there is significant gang activity.

Recommendation requires further analysis. The Board has demonstrated their supportfor the reduction of gang activity in Fresno County with the adoption of a County ofFresno Gang and Juvenile Delinquency Initiative and by providing funding for a CountyGang Task Force Coordinator. The appropriate next steps will be developed once theCounty Gang Task Force Coordinator has been hired.

A104: A strong intervention program must be developed for immediate and effectiveintervention at the first instance of delinquent behavior.

Recommendation requires further analysis. The Board has demonstrated their supportfor the reduction of gang activity in Fresno County with the adoption of a County ofFresno Gang and Juvenile Delinquency Initiative and by providing funding for a CountyGang Task Force Coordinator. The appropriate next steps will be developed once theCounty Gang Task Force Coordinator has been hired.

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A105: City and County governments are to include non-profit and faith-basedorganizations that have successful track records as full partners in their efforts toreduce gang activity and membership.

Recommendation has been implemented. On December 5, 2006, the Board created aCounty of Fresno Gang and Juvenile Delinquency Initiative which will have a SteeringCommittee composed of representatives from County agencies, city governments, locallaw enforcement, local businesses, education, health and social service organizations,and community and faith-based groups. This Committee will be coordinated and chairedby a Gang Task Force Coordinator who will report directly to the County AdministrativeOfficer.

A106: City and County governmental agencies and school districts must develop fiscalresources and fund gang reduction initiatives with allocations from currentbudgets and establish a priority for new funding as it becomes available.

Recommendation has been implemented. The Board approved the funding of grant-writing services for the County of Fresno on February 27, 2007. These resources willassist County departments in applying for federal grant opportunities. Additionally, theBoard funded a Gang Task Force Coordinator to facilitate the work of the new County ofFresno Gang and Juvenile Delinquency Initiative.

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