Authorize the County to enter into grant funding agreements with Motivating Interconnected Leadership for Public Advancement (MILPA) and Northern California Construction Training (NCCT) for fiscal years 2024-26, in amounts not to exceed $150,000 and $100,000 respectively, to provide programming in support of furthering the mission of the Community Corrections Partnership (CCP). (No general fund impact) (Fruchtenicht)

The Community Corrections Partnership (CCP) recently updated its bylaws to define an annual process to solicit, evaluate and potentially award CCP funds to external organizations for programs and services that align with the CCP’s mission, advance the CCP’s Strategic Plan, and which prevent or remediate the impacts of systemic racism and/or disparate outcomes.  In alignment with the bylaws, the CCP approved an application that defined the CCP’s focus and interest in awarding funds to external organizations, outlined the process for evaluating proposals and indicated the CCP’s intent to allocate $250,000 for potential distribution over the next two fiscal years.

The external funding opportunity and application period were announced via press release, which was linked on the County, CCP and CCP members’ websites.  The press release was also shared with the Board of Supervisors and department leadership with a request to broadcast the information through their various channels and was posted on County social media sites several times during the application period.

Four proposals were received, evaluated for completeness by staff to the CCP and ultimately considered for award by the full membership of the CCP. Two proposals rose to the top and as such, MILPA and NCCT were invited to a subsequent CCP meeting to answer additional questions. Ultimately, the CCP chose to fund both programs, awarding $150,000 to MILPA and $100,000 to NCCT.

MILPA is a non-profit non-governmental organization designed for and led by formerly incarcerated and system-impacted people. MILPA works with organizations and institutions alongside communities to drive policy advocacy and systems change through innovative and culturally relevant healing and relationship-centered approaches. Their focus is on creating opportunities for cultural healing, intergenerational leadership, and empowerment through community-driven decision-making for healthier communities.

NCCT is a non-profit, non-governmental organization pre-apprenticeship construction training program designed to prepare individuals for entry into various building trades and apprenticeship programs. NCCT works to provide innovative, practical, top-quality training and education that produces well-balanced and prepared workers to area employers and works to reduce recidivism with communities. They strive to bridge the gap between participants and the local trades by developing industry-specific curriculum approved by the Division of Apprenticeship Standards and reducing barriers to gainful employment.

This funding opportunity and application period (February 2-29, 2024) was announced via press release, which was shared on numerous websites and via social media.  All proposals received were evaluated by staff to the CCP for completeness and were ranked accordingly. During two public CCP meetings, members of the Partnership considered the applications and presentations from the two finalists and chose to award both finalists a portion of the allocated $250,000.