Application Process For Juvenile Camp - Expanded Capacity

APPLICATION/LETTER OF INTENT

A probation department that plans to operate an existing camp or forestry camp beyond the 125 capacity limit pursuant to Section 886.5, Welfare Institution Code (WIC) shall submit a letter of intent to the Board of Corrections (BOC). The proposed expanded capacity of the facility is to be included in the letter. The field representative will send an acknowledgement letter with a sample packet to the chief probation officer (CPO).

SECTION 13-201(C) (1), Title 24 California Code of Regulations (CCR)

NEED ASSESSMENT STUDY

Prior to submitting plans and specifications, the county shall complete a need assessment and send a copy to the BOC. The study is to include the justification for the expanded capacity.

SECTION 13-201 (C) (2), Title 24 (CCR)

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS RESOLUTION

Section 886.5 WIC mandates that a county submitting an application to increase its facility’s capacity beyond 125 must submit a resolution endorsing the increased capacity the to the BOC. The county shall also certify to the BOC that the facility will comply with applicable minimum standards of Titles 15 and 24 (CCR) and maintain adequate staffing levels, program, and other services for minors in the facility.

PUBLIC COMMENT

A county is required to submit with the application all public comment on the proposed facility’s expansion exceeding 125 minors including news articles and correspondence to local officials.

PROGRAM STATEMENT

A program statement should accompany the schematic plans. The statement is a narrative description of the proposed expanded capacity’s impact. ). The BOC uses the statement in its review of the facility’s plans.

Section 13-201 (C) (3), Title 24 (CCR)

ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS SUBMITTALS

Pursuant to Section 6029, Penal Code, the county must submit plans and specifications to the BOC for review and approval for construction, reconstruction, remodeling or repairs of a local juvenile facility when costs are in excess of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000.00).

The BOC staff and the State Fire Marshall representative located at the BOC are responsible for conducting formal architectural plan reviews for safety, security and compliance with regulations. Two sets of architectural drawings and construction specifications must be submitted at each of three stages for staff review and approval. The three stages are 1) Schematic Design; 2) Design Development; and 3) Construction Design. Following each submittal stage, BOC will notify the county whether it is in compliance or non- compliance with juvenile facility standards.

In the schematic design stage, plans and specifications are in the preliminary stage of development and generally include a site plan, floor plan, exterior elevations and cross sections, type of construction and gross floor area. The schematic design submittal is the first formal, official review point of construction plans by the BOC.

In the design development stage, plans and specifications means are 50 percent complete and generally include outline specifications; building sections; interior elevations and preliminary structural, mechanical and electrical drawings. An operating and staffing cost statement and staffing plan are to accompany the design development plans.

In the construction design stage, plans and specifications are 100 percent complete and generally include completed specifications, with bid proposal documents, completed construction documents and any special interest items.

Sections 13-201 (C) (3) and 13-201 (C) (5), Title 24 (CCR)

EXPANSION IN EXISTING BUILDINGS

When the county or joint juvenile facility intends to house the increased capacity in an existing building or buildings, the county will notify the BOC. The BOC staff will conduct an onsite evaluation to determine the facility’s capacity and make recommendations if necessary. Local inspecting agencies must also be involved in approving the building. This requirement is applicable to non-grant facilities.

COMBINING MULTIPLE RANCHES, CAMPS OR FORESTRY CAMPS

When a county or joint counties’ facility plan to combine multiple camps into one facility, the county will submit an application to the BOC. The application will include:

• A board of supervisor’s resolution,
• Justification for combining the multiple facilities,
• The capacity of the proposed facility, and
• All public comment on the proposed change including newspaper articles and correspondence to the BOS and the CPO.

The county is to submit a program statement if there are any program, operational or physical plant changes planned. The BOC staff may conduct an onsite evaluation to determine the facility’s capacity and make recommendations if necessary.

If only an administrative change is planned, then a proposed organization chart must be included and the BOC staff may not conduct an on-site evaluation.

The mandates of Section 886.5, WIC apply to any proposed realignment.

BOARD AGENDA ITEM

The BOC will be informed of the county’s application which has been submitted for an expanded capacity that exceeds 125 minors a ranch, camp or forestry camp.

APPLICATION APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL NOTIFICATION LETTER

The BOC shall review each application and approve, modify or deny it based on the determination whether the county can comply with Title 15 and 24 (CCR). The BOC may grant a conditional approval including a capacity below the requested number or other program and operational conditions.

ONSITE EVALUATION OF PHYSICAL PLANT

Upon the completion of the facility’s remodeling or construction to accommodate the expanded capacity, the BOC will conduct a physical plant evaluation to determine that it is in compliance with Title 24, California Code of Regulations.

ANNUAL INSPECTION

The BOC is mandated by statute to make an annual inspection of any facility, which has been approved, for expanded capacity.