Trauma-informed diversion programs for youth.

Existing law establishes the Youth Reinvestment Grant Program within the Board of State and Community Corrections to grant funds, upon appropriation, to local jurisdictions and Indian tribes for the purpose of implementing trauma-informed diversion programs for minors, as specified. Existing law requires 94% of the funds to be allocated to local jurisdictions in awards between $50,000 and $1,000,000, as specified, requires 3% of the funds to be allocated to Indian tribes, and requires 3% of the funds to be used for administrative costs of the board. Existing law requires the board to be responsible for administration oversight and accountability of the grant program, in coordination with the California Health and Human Services Agency and the State Department of Education, and requires the board to provide guidance to applicant and recipient local jurisdictions, as specified. This bill would, commencing with the 2019–20 fiscal year and thereafter, additionally authorize grants to be awarded to nonprofit organization applicants to administer the diversion programs, as specified. The bill would increase the maximum grant award to $2,000,000 and would require an applicant to provide a cash or in-kind match, as specified. The bill would make the board solely responsible for administration oversight and accountability of the grant program, and would require the board to set aside up to $250,000, exclusive of the 3% of funds set aside for administrative costs, to contract with a research firm or university to conduct a statewide evaluation of the grant program. By changing the purpose of existing appropriations for the program, the bill would make an appropriation.