Service Area 4b: Justice Involved Youth Services In-Custody Services that address vocational training, job skills and employment.

The County of Santa Cruz Probation Department invites sealed proposals from qualified youth- and young person-serving organizations to provide culturally responsive, evidence-informed services that collectively enhance the well-being, development, and positive outcomes of justice-involved youth and emerging adults. Funded programs are intended to contribute to reduced recidivism, improved social and life skills, vocational and educational attainment, and stronger family and community connections.

This RFP is specifically for Service Area 4b as described below.

Established in 1850 as one of the state’s original 27 counties, the County of Santa Cruz was originally called Branciforte. The name was later changed to Santa Cruz, which is “holy cross” in Spanish. The County of Santa Cruz geographically is the second smallest county within the State of California yet it has one of the largest unincorporated area populations. The 2020 estimated population for the County of Santa Cruz by the U.S. Census Bureau was 270,861. The County encompasses an urban service area of 440 square miles.

The Probation Department plans to competitively award funding to organizations with demonstrated expertise in delivering evidence-based or promising practices (EBP/PP) that achieve measurable outcomes for justice-involved youth. Proposals will allow for a continuum of services designed to address the assessed Risk, Needs, and Responsivity of the local juvenile justice population. Priority is given to programs serving youth assessed by the Probation Department as moderate or high risk to re-offend, based on the Juvenile Assessment and Intervention System (JAIS). Services are to be provided in community and/or in custody, as outlined below.

Respondents are invited to submit proposals for the following service area. Please note: Proposals for multiple service areas require a complete and separate proposal and response package for each service area under the applicable record in OpenGov. Combined submittals will not be accepted.