State Agencies

In December, PA DOC staff flagged CSG Justice Center staff that they will not have concrete data to report to BJA for the next reporting period, as they have not yet hired the Smart Supervision-funded case management positions or begun grant spend-down. The Pittsburgh deputy district director connected with HR to receive guidance on creating the job postings to follow the requested template and updated the job duties and responsibilities.

CSG Justice Center staff sent 540 technical assistance emails with all active grantees during the July-December 2023 reporting period.

During this review period, the coach met monthly with the grantee and emailed regularly with the site as well by phone, when issues have come up. It was learned that the FY 20 grant that closed in September 2023 gave back money, despite the coach being told that everything had been spent. Since the grant POC changed, no one seems to know where things broke down, leaving money unspent. It is believed that TDCJ has so many grants that the fiscal department is incapable of handling them all and it is not a surprise that they gave money back.

During this reporting period, the Utah JJYS has continued facilitating PREA ("SAVE") staff training using the newly developed curriculum. Staff feedback continues to be excellent. The JDI coach has been impressed by the thoughtful approach Utah JJYS has taken to the portions of the training related to working with LGBTI youth. The site recognizes the fraught political realities in their community and have been holding meaningful discussions with staff to ensure they are able to ask questions while also ensuring staff understand their responsibilities to keep LGBTI youth safe.

During this reporting period both OYA and DOC wrapped up final project tasks. They will begin closeout activities in the next reporting period. Both sites continue to be thoughtful in their PREA implementation efforts and they have completed tasks successfully. The grant successfully closed out on 9/30/23.

During this reporting period, The new Training Development Specialist has been working on developing materials as planned for this grant. Due to the holidays the site and the coach did not have a call in December and will next check in the end of January. There was a check in the week following Thanksgiving so it was not anticipated that much was going to happen between then and the New Year. The DOC has been asking about FY'24 grant solicitation.

During this reporting period, the coach met less frequently with the site during this reporting period. The project has wrapped up grant activities and is just working on satisfying the match requirement.

During this review period, the coach had monthly contact with the grantee. The site is focused on working with their IT vendor to get the new risk assessment into their system. The vendor has been very slow, so there have not been any substantial updates from the site. The grantee is on task and focused on project goals and timeline. The coach has no reservations about the site's ability to complete its activities on time.

During this review period, the site is in the process of developing a three-day statewide conference for TDCJ facility-based staff. The coach has been asked to facilitate a self-care workshop during the event. Two JDI staff will attend, providing information about trauma and then the importance of self-care and art workshop. TDCJ will use grant funds to purchase art supply materials and is eager to replicate this training after the statewide conference. The site completed these activities by year end and successfully closed out the grant on 9/30/23.

During this reporting period the Nevada Division of Child and Family services discussed the timeline for closing the grant on September 30, 2023. The team also discussed the possibility of obtaining an NCE. The coaches expressed concern about submitting a third NCE request due to the continued lack of progress on overall grant activities. The coaches also reviewed information provided by the agency for a borough-based confinement facility attached to a medical center and provided the agency with guidance.