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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 01-24-2005-5kORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: January 24, 2005 Action Agenda Item No. 5- SUBJECT: Contract with Peterson, Raymond and Associates (PRA) to Conduct a Process Evaluation of TASC (Treatment Accountability for Safer Communities) for the Orange-Chatham Justice Partnership DEPARTMENT: County Manager PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): Letter of Agreement for Professional Services INFORMATION CONTACT: Gwen Harvey, Assistant Co. Mgr Sharron Hinton, Dir, Community Programs Trish Vandersea, OCCJP Coordinator TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To approve a letter of agreement for consultation services to assess and evaluate the Treatment Accountability for Safer Communities (TASC) Program (previously known as Treatment Alternatives to Street Crime) in order to advance and improve the overall work of the Orange - Chatham Justice Partnership (OCJP). BACKGROUND: The TASC program, currently operated by OPC Mental Health, provides screening, assessment, case management, treatment referral and monitoring of offenders with substance abuse problems and disorders, including case management support for Orange County Drug Court. Through a Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of Correction and the Department of Health and Human Services, TASC programs throughout the state are mandated to serve as the "gatekeeper' and conduct these services for offenders involved in the Criminal Justice Partnership Program (CJPP). Due to state organizational and management considerations, the Leadership Council of the OCJP has recommended a thorough analysis and process evaluation of the local TASC Program. This is particularly timely as OPC undergoes mental health reform. In the OPC Mental Health Transition Plan for Orange County, several options have been identified for the continuation of TASC services. Additionally, OPC management recommends that Orange and Chatham counties endorse the OCJP as the entity to carry out evaluation and planning for court-related services. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Administrative dollars in the OCJP budget will be used to pay for the consultation services. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the Letter of Agreement and authorize the Chair to sign pending final review and approval by staff and the County Attorney. s Peterson, Raymond and Associates Kansas City and Bozeman i www.petersonra,ymond.com VeN 913-432-0585 406-556-2162 January 19, 2005 Ms. Patricia Vandersea Orange-Chatham Justice Partnership P.O. Box 8181 Hillsborough, NC 27278 Via email: pvandersea@co,orange ncus Dear Trish, This Letter of Agreement serves as a confirmation for Peterson, Raymond and Associates (PRA) to support TASC and the Orange-Chatham Justice Partnership through an analysis of the intentions and current status of diversionary programs for intermediate offenders. The Leadership Council and the respective Boards of County Commissioners intend to use the findings and recommendations from the analysis to make strategic decisions about their future investment in this effort. 5pecifically, our engagement will help the Leadership Council assess continued local interest in administering the program and funds, the possibility of attracting other resources as well as broadening or improving the impact of the effort. Specifics of our agreement are that PRA will: PRA will be accountable for two key deliverables pertaining to this scope of work. The first is a written report detailing the methodology of our analysis, key findings and most importantly, substantive recommendations about the future of the initiative. The second deliverable will be a presentation of findings and recommendations as well as a discussion of options with the Leadership C.ounciI at the conclusion of this effort. PRA findings and recommendations will focus on the stated objectives of the program to: 1. Create a seamless system of care for the provision of services 2, Clarify roles in providing control and treatment 3. Reduce the rate of revocation for technical and drug violations 4. Combine efforts to guarantee the effective utilization of limited resource and prevent duplication 5. Provide cognitive behavioral interventions 6. Develop an integrated information system 7. Ensure Probation, CJPP, DACDP, DOP and TASCC staff are trained to implement the Offender Management Model The final report will provide crisp analysis of the status of progress toward these objectives as well as recommendations about how the Partnership can reasonably assure that progress will be made in the future. The Leadership Council will be able to use this report to craft a reasonable "roadmap" for the future of this effort. A Peterson, Raymond and Associates Kansas City and Bozeman ?, www.petersonra.ymond.com .s1 913-432-0585 406-556-2162 Core Project Elements Essential Process Tactics Timeline Diagnosing root issues - background research . Web-based surveys . Document review January 25, 2005 - February 15, 2005 Diagnosing root issues - current experiences and perceptions • On-site interviews . State level interviews January 25 - February 15, 2005 Establishing findings . Consultant developed February 25, 2005 Leadership Council Review of Preliminary Findings . Consultant Led March 1, 2005 Drafting recommendations . Consultant developed March 8, 2005 Leadership Council Presentation • Consultant designed and led After March 15, 2005 Estimated Costs (do not include reimbursable travel, phone and materials expenses) $9,87500 Costs The cost for this work is $9,875.00 plus travel and materials expenses not to exceed $3,500.00. One-third ($3291.,66) of the total professional fee is due upon execution of this Letter of Agreement. One-third due immediately following the "Review of Preliminary Findings" and the remainder will be due upon successful completion of the project, Again, thank you for your interest in PRA and we look forward to working with you, Sincerely, Kent Peterson Peterson, Raymond and Associates Orange-Chatham Justice Partnership