LAKEPORT >> A recent state Assembly bill AB 702 proposes changes to the Juvenile Justice Criminal Prevention Act, which may deny the Lake County Probation Department providing teens and young adults with needed treatment and support.
Matthew Rothstein, chief deputy county administrative officer informed Board of Supervisors he is grateful to Wendy Mondfrons, chief probation officer, for bringing the matter to his attention. “As your board is probably aware, Assembly Bill 702 was introduced by Assemblyman Corey Jackson (D-60th),” Rothstein said.
The bill proposes to make three important changes. The changes impact the funding and coordination of local juvenile justice system activities. It would redirect the Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act (JJCPA) funds, change the designated chair and overall composition of local Juvenile Justice, Coordinating Councils (JJCC), and recast elements of required multiagency juvenile justice plans. Prior legislative efforts proposed similar changes (yet faced vigorous opposition), which included AB 1007 (Jones-Sawyer, 2020) and SB 49 (Bradford, 2021).
“If AB 702 were approved as written, then maintaining we coordinated services and continuity of care, would become much more difficult,” said Rothstein. He also noted county probation departments play a crucial role ensuring system involved youth, facing personal inflection points (life changing crossroads) will have services and and support they will need to promote the best possible outcomes.
“If AB 702 were approved as w4ritten, maintaining well-coordinated services and continuity of care would become much more difficult,” he said. “Chief Mondfrans requests the board to oppose AB702. I support that recommendation.”
District 4 Supervisor Michael Green pulled the item from the consent agenda. “It’s an important subject and it’s a teachable moment,” he said. “I’m not eager to adopt total opposition, but there are worthy reforms we should talk about at a local or state level, so the letter as drafted open up that possibility.
District 2 Supervisor Bruno Sabatier noted the Rural County Representatives of California (advocating for rural residents) and California State Association of Counties submitted their joint letter of opposition to him. “To me, this is saying we want to keep local control on local government,” he said. “I think it’s a local control versus handing it out to someone else, to do the same job, we’re already doing. I’m in support of this letter.”
Chief Probation Officer Mondfrons pointed out the support they gain comes from nonprofits or partnering agencies. “Our Family WRAP program, (Wellness Recovery Action Plan, a self-directed peer group intervention helping people with mental illness or other challenges use personal wellness resources), with the Lake County Office of Education are used every day for kids and families,” she said. “They’re not all in-house programs. “But AB 702 would require the Probation Department to take their hand out of everything, that’s what concerns us. Our staff are connecting with families and building relationships and helping change lives, which AB 702 would take that possibility out from families in this community.”
Chair Jessica Pyska noted in the letter, addressed to Assemblyman Jackson, under current law, each county’s chief probation officer serves as chair of the Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council.
“Changing this norm, as AB 702 proposes, would have far-reaching implications, she said. “You will appreciate, probation departments are critical points of connection for youth in need of treatment and support, regularly making referrals to public agencies and community organizations who can help. Additional JJCC committee members bring a diverse set of experiences and perspectives, and work with the chief probation officer to coordinate and plan for the safety and rehabilitation of youth.
Anna Santana, Healthy Start director for the Office of Education spoke on behalf of the county youngsters during the public comment period. She noted they have a history collaborating with the Probation Department. The WRAP program is targeted for those facing mental health or substance abuse challenges.
“But a lot of our work is preventing something worse,” she said. “We’re getting kids who are doing something … Yes, it’s against the law, but something minor.”
Yet the Probation Department can shepherd families toward agencies to obtain resources they need to get their children back on a straight and narrow course, so however they were led astray, it will not lead to worse activities. “This is where we break that cycle of school to prison pipeline,” Santana said. “We need to stop it now. These children are our future and the work we do is really important, not only for families but the children themselves. I think it’ll reduce the cost of other systems, if we keep working systems the way we do right now.”
A letter opposing the bill was sent to Jackon by the BOS by unanimous vote.
