HomeMy WebLinkAboutJS Becca AOC JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Shannon S. Burns, Juvenile Court Administrator
DATE: /pj95 I Z 1 1,70292
RE: Interagency Agreement#IAA24303
AOC and Jefferson County BECCA Funds
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
Agreement for receipt of BECCA funding to Juvenile and Family Court Services needs to be
executed.
ANALYSIS:
This Agreement reflects our intent to accept our allocation of statewide BECCA dollars for the
State fiscal year July 1, 2023 through June 30th, 2024. These funds support BECCA matters
such as: Truancy, At Risk Youth, and Child in Need of Services. BECCA dollars offset court
processing, programming and navigation services for non-offenders.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This revenue will be included in my budget for 2023-2024
RECOMMENDATION:
That the board approve the agreement
REVIEWED BY:
..-,,,---
Al ,,t / �3
Mark McCaule ounty Administrator t' Date
INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT IAA24303
BETWEEN
WASHINGTON STATE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS
AND
JEFFERSON COUNTY JUVENILE COURT
FOR
BECCA PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
THIS AGREEMENT is entered into by and between the Administrative Office of the Courts
(AOC) and Jefferson County Juvenile Court (Contractor).
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this Agreement is to engage the services of the Contractor to administer
Truancy, At Risk Youth and Child in Need of Services (Becca) programs and services within its
jurisdiction and according to the intent of the Becca legislation chapter 13.32A RCW.
Funds received by the Contractor under this Agreement may only be used to supplement, not
supplant, any other local, state or federal funds received by the Contractor.
II. STATEMENT OF WORK
The Contractor will administer Truancy, At Risk Youth (ARY) and Child in Need of Services
(CHINS) programs within the Contractor's jurisdiction pursuant to chapter 13.32A, RCW.
The Contractor shall submit summary reports to AOC documenting Becca activities. These
reports shall provide the number of petitions broken down as follows:
A. CHINS petitions;
B. ARY petitions; and,
C. Truancy petitions.
The Becca Bi-Annual Report to the Administrative Office of the Courts shall be submitted
electronically. The required form for bi-annual reporting, which is incorporated in this
Agreement, is located on the Inside Courts website under Court Resources> Court
Management and choose the "Becca Bi-Annual Report to AOC".
Reporting schedule:
Period Report Due
07/01/23 - 12/31/23 01/31/24
01/01/24 - 06/30/24 07/31/24
Failure to submit a report by the due date may adversely affect state funding of the Becca
program.
If you have questions, please contact the AOC Project Manager Sondra Hahn at
Sondra.Hahn(cr�.courts.wa.gov or (360) 705-5276.
IAA24303 Page 1 of 6
III. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE
The execution of this Agreement shall constitute a ratification of an earlier verbal agreement
between the parties that is now set forth in writing. Accordingly, the beginning date of
performance under this Agreement is July 1, 2023 regardless of the date of execution and it shall
end on June 30, 2024, except for any remaining obligations of the Contractor as may exist.
IV. COMPENSATION
A. Contractor shall be reimbursed a maximum of $29,062 for costs incurred
during the period of performance. Payment for satisfactory performance of the work
shall not exceed this amount unless the parties mutually agree to a higher amount
in writing, except as governed by the REVENUE SHARING section of this
Agreement.
B. Contractor shall receive payment for actual costs (within the amount identified)
which are associated with the processing and case management of CHINS, ARY
and Truancy referrals/petitions. Contractor shall use BECCA Cost Guidelines
(Exhibit A) as a guide for determining what costs should be reimbursed.
C. Contractor shall not be reimbursed until properly-completed monthly A-19 invoice
and Becca Monthly Detail Report (Exhibit B) is received and approved by AOC.
D. If this Agreement is terminated, Contractor shall only receive payment for
performance rendered or costs incurred in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement prior to the effective date of termination.
E. Contractor shall submit invoices to AOC monthly.
F. Payment will be made by the AOC upon receipt of a properly-completed
Washington State form A-19 and Becca Monthly Detail Report (Exhibit B).
Invoices are to be sent via email to AOC Financial Services at
payablest,courts.wa.gov. AOC will remit payment to the Contractor in a total
amount not to exceed the value of this agreement
G. Payments will be considered timely if made by the AOC within 30 days of receipt
of a properly prepared invoice by the AOC or receipt of satisfactory services,
whichever is later.
H. Contractor shall maintain sufficient backup documentation of direct costs
expenses under this Agreement.
I. Allocated administrative court costs must be applied at a rate that is set forth and
supported by a documented internal administrative rate plan that has been
approved by the designated authority at the Superior Court and is readily
Y
accessible for review by AOC or the State Auditor.
V. REVENUE SHARING
A. AOC, in its sole discretion, may initiate revenue sharing. AOC will notify the Court
no later than May 1, 2024 that AOC intends to reallocate funding among courts in
IAA24303 Page 2 of 6
the program. If AOC determines the Court may not spend all monies available
under the Agreement, then AOC may reduce the Agreement amount. If AOC
determines the Court may spend more monies than available under the
Agreement and for its scope, then AOC may increase the Agreement amount.
B. If the AOC initiates revenue sharing, then the Court must submit the final
revenue sharing A-19 to payables@courts.wa.gov so that it is received by August
1, 2024.
VI. OTHER PROVISIONS FOR SERVICES
A. Background Check/Criminal History
In accordance with Chapters 110-700 WAC, and RCW 43.43.830, the Contractor
is required to conduct background check/criminal history clearance for all
employees, subcontractors and/or volunteers who may or will have regular
access to any client/juvenile, prior to any access under this Agreement.
In addition, Contractor may be required to conduct background check/criminal
history clearance for employees, subcontractors and/or volunteers who may or
will have limited access to any client/juvenile, prior to any access under this
Agreement.
The Contractor shall, based on the results from the criminal background check,
determine whether each employee, volunteer, and/or subcontractor is suitable for
access to clients/juveniles.
By signing this agreement, Contractor affirmatively acknowledges that it has met
these requirements. Contractor shall document the background check/criminal
history clearance process it employs.
B. Sexual Misconduct
Contractor shall ensure that all employees, subcontractors and/or volunteers are
knowledgeable about the requirements of RCW 13.40.570 and of the crimes set
forth in Chapter 9A.44 RCW, "Sex Offenses."
VII. RECORDS MAINTENANCE
The parties to this Agreement shall each maintain books, records, documents and other evidence
which sufficiently and properly reflect all direct and indirect costs expended by either party in the
performance of the service(s) described herein. These records shall be subject to inspection,
review or audit by personnel of both parties, other personnel duly authorized by either party, the
Office of the State Auditor, and federal officials so authorized bylaw. Allbooks, records,s,
documents, and other material relevant to this Agreement will be retained for six years after
expiration of this Agreement and the Office of the State Auditor, federal auditors, and any persons
duly authorized by the parties shall have full access and the right to examine any of these
materials during this period.
Records and other documents, in any medium, furnished by one party to this Agreement to the
other party, will remain the property of the furnishing party, unless otherwise agreed. The
IAA24303 Page 3 of 6
receiving party will not disclose or make available this material to any third parties without first
giving notice to the furnishing party and giving it a reasonable opportunity to respond. Each party
will utilize reasonable security procedures and protections to assure that records and documents
provided by the other party are not erroneously disclosed to third parties.
VIII. RIGHTS IN DATA
Unless otherwise provided, data which originates from this Agreement shall be "works for hire" as
defined by the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976 and shall be owned by AOC. Data shall include, but not
be limited to, reports, documents, pamphlets, advertisements, books, magazines, surveys,
studies, computer programs, films, tapes, video and/or sound reproductions. Ownership includes
the right to copyright, patent, register, and the ability to transfer these rights.
IX. INDEPENDENT CAPACITY
The employees or agents of each party who are engaged in the performance of this Agreement
shall continue to be employees or agents of that party and shall not be considered for any
purpose to be employees or agents of the other party.
X. AGREEMENT ALTERATIONS AND AMENDMENTS
This Agreement may be amended by mutual agreement of the parties. Such amendments shall
not be binding unless they are in writing and signed by personnel authorized to bind each of the
parties. This clause does not apply to the provisions of the REVENUE SHARING section in this
Agreement.
Xl. TERMINATION
A. Termination for Convenience
Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, either party may terminate this
Agreement by providing written notice of such termination to the other specifying
the effective date thereof, at least five (5) calendar days prior to such date. If this
Agreement is so terminated, the AOC shall be liable only for payment for work
completed and accepted prior to the effective date of termination.
B. Termination for Cause
If either party does not fulfill in a timely and proper manner its obligations under
this Agreement, or if either party violates any of these terms and conditions, the
aggrieved party will give the other party written notice of such failure or violation.
The responsible party will be given the opportunity to correct the violation or
failure within 15 working days. If failure or violation is not corrected, this
Agreement may be terminated immediately by written notice of the aggrieved
party to the other party.
IAA24303 Page 4 of 6
XII. DISPUTES
In the event that a dispute arises under this Agreement, it shall be determined by a Dispute
Board in the following manner: Each party to this Agreement shall appoint one member to the
Dispute Board. The members so appointed shall jointly appoint an additional member to the
Dispute Board. The Dispute Board shall review the facts, agreement terms and applicable
statutes and rules and make a determination of the dispute. The determination of the Dispute
Board shall be final and binding on the parties hereto.
XIII. GOVERNANCE
This Agreement is entered into pursuant to and under the authority granted by the laws of the
state of Washington and any applicable federal laws. The provisions of this Agreement shall be
construed to conform to those laws.
In the event of an inconsistency in the terms of this Agreement, or between its terms and any
applicable statute or rule, the inconsistency shall be resolved by giving precedence in the
following order:
A. Applicable state and federal statutes and rules;
B. Statement of work; and
C. Any other provisions of the Agreement including materials incorporated by
attachment or reference.
XIV. ASSIGNMENT
The work to be provided under this Agreement, and any claim arising thereunder, is not
assignable or delegable by either party in whole or in part, without the express prior written
consent of the other party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
XV. SAVINGS
In the event funding from state, federal, or other sources is withdrawn, reduced, or limited in any
way after the effective date of this Agreement and prior to normal completion, the AOC may
terminate the Agreement under the "Termination for Convenience" clause, without the five-day
notice requirement, subject to renegotiation under those new funding limitations and conditions.
AOC, at its discretion, may also elect to amend the Agreement to reflect a budget reduction
without terminating the Agreement as long as AOC gives notice of the budget reduction to the
other party and the other party agrees to the amendment. The other party understands that
refusing to agree to a budget reduction amendment will necessitate termination of this
Agreement.
XVI. COUNTERPARTS
Each party agrees that a digital, electronic, or scanned transmission of any original document
has the same effect as the original. Any signature required on an original will be completed
and sent to the other party, as applicable, when an electronic or digital copy has been signed.
IAA24303 Page 5 of 6
The parties agree that signed digital, electronic, or scanned copies of documents will be given
full effect as if an original.
XVII. AGREEMENT MANAGEMENT
The project manager for each of the parties shall be responsible for and shall be the contact
person for all communications and billings regarding the performance of this Agreement:
AOC Project Manager Contractor Project Manager
Sondra Hahn Shannon Burns
Court Program Analyst Juvenile Court Administrator
PO Box 41170 1820 Jefferson St
Olympia, WA 98504-1170 Port Townsend, WA 98368-0920
sondra.hahn@courts.wa.gov sburns@co.jefferson.wa.us
(360) 705-5276 360-385-9190
XVIII. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement contains all the terms and conditions agreed upon by the parties. No other
understandings, oral or otherwise, regarding the subject matter of this Agreement shall be
considered to exist or to bind any of the parties to this Agreement unless otherwise stated in
this Agreement.
AGREED:
THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE COUNTY JUVENILE COURT
OF THE COURTS
Signature Date Signature Date
Christopher Stanley, CGFM Greg Brotherton
Name Name
Chief Financial and Management Officer Chair, Board of County Commisioners
Title Title
Approved as to form only:
y C August 16, 2023
Philip C. Hunsucker, Date
Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
IAA24303 Page 6 of 6
EXHIBIT A
BECCA COST GUIDELINES
A. PURPOSE and SCOPE
This document establishes the allowable cost guidelines for Becca reimbursements. It
also sets forth the required documentation needed to support a reimbursement request.
For FY 2024, this supporting documentation needs to be retained at the local level. In
future fiscal years, AOC will require the supporting documentation be submitted with
each reimbursement claim.
B. GENERAL
Becca allowable costs are only those costs associated with "processing and case
management of truancy, children in need of services, and at-risk youth referrals." See
ESSB 5187 Section 114 (2)(a) and (b) (2023).
The guidelines below take into consideration the financial needs of courts for processing
and case management of Becca referrals and allows for reimbursement for expenses
related to such activities. These guidelines are consistent to the legislative restrictions
and guidelines placed on Becca funding.
C. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Court Project Manager
• Person designated by the court to manage the Becca contract according
to its terms including report preparation, scope of work, and performance
• Submits invoices and other required documentation in an accurate and
timely manner
• Keeps all supporting documentation for audit purposes for at least six
years after contract expires
2. AOC Project Manager
• Acts as central contact with the court
• Approves invoices and submitted supporting documentation for Becca
reimbursement
• Forwards cost and budget questions received from the courts to the AOC
Comptroller
• Reviews all reports required under the Becca agreement
3. Management Services Director
• Resolves policy and procedural issues related to Becca funding
BECCA Guidelines 7/2023 1 IAA24303
4. AOC Comptroller
• Determines Becca annual fund allocation based on monies received from
the Legislature; see Allocation Process section for allocation process
details
• Responds to cost and budget questions
• Periodically audits Courts to ensure reimbursement requests are
supported; see Audit Process section for audit procedures
5. Contract Manager
• Drafts, reviews, and approves Becca agreements
• Answers questions regarding compliance with the agreements
• Provides advice on interpretation of agreement
6. State Auditor
• Audits Courts and AOC for compliance with Becca
D. ALLOWABLE COSTS AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
1. Staff/FTE (salaries and benefits)
• Judicial Officer (i.e. judges, commissioners, and pro tems) -Time records
and dockets regarding Becca processing and case management must be
kept locally. A judicial officer computation rate will be supplied by AOC,
and will be the same for all superior court judges or pro tems hearing
Becca cases. The reimbursement for the judge or pro tem can only be for
half the judge's hourly salary. If the judicial officer is a commissioner,
reimbursement will be for a commissioner rate supplied by AOC or the
actual cost, whichever is less.
• Other court staff(e.g. clerks, court project managers, Becca counselors or
case managers, office staff) payroll record/time and attendance records
related to the processing and case management of a Becca referral must
be kept locally. If the employee is not assigned fulltime to Becca then
compensation reimbursement must be proportioned to the amount of time
the employee processes Becca referrals and must be documented by time
and attendance records. NOTE: This does not mean that timesheets
must be completed to track the time spent on Becca. Document the
process for determining the amount of time the person(s) spend on Becca
duties. For example, keep track of time for at least a week and then
determine the percentage to be charged.
• An Administrative Rate is allowed but an internal administrative rate must
be documented and approved by the court administrator. This internal
administrative rate must be documented with the formula used to
BECCA Guidelines 7/2023 2 IAA24303
determine the rate. Documentation must be on file locally and available to
AOC and State Auditor. The vendor invoices must also be on file locally.
2. Professional Services
• General - Detailed vendor invoice to include detailed description of work
performed, contract number, hours, and hourly rate or time and
attendance cards must be kept locally. All work must be related to the
filing, processing, case management, or direct services related to Becca
cases and invoice must be approved by authorizing authority (i.e. court
administrator or his or her delegate) before inclusion in reimbursement
request. However, these documents do not need to accompany the
invoice to AOC. They should be readily available for audit purposes.
• Defense Attorney — Invoice must identify the specific Becca cases for
which reimbursement is requested, hours worked, and the hourly or flat
rate that was charged. These documents do not need to accompany the
invoice to AOC. They should be readily available for audit purposes.
• Prosecutor- Invoice to include a breakdown of billable hours/rates working
on filed Becca cases or invoice based on a per Becca petition cost to
process along with rationale and explanation on how petition cost was
determined. These documents do not need to accompany the invoice to
AOC. They should be readily available for audit purposes.
3. Goods
• Supplies
o Actual Costs - Supplies should be necessary for Becca case
processing or management and may include consumable supplies.
Vendor invoices should be kept locally for audit purposes.
o Costs Allocated by Internal Administrative Rate - Supplies may be
allocated, but an internal administrative rate must be documented and
approved by the court administrator. This internal administrative rate
must be documented with the formula used to determine the rate.
Documentation must be on file and available to AOC and State
Auditor. The vendor invoices must be on file locally.
4. Equipment
• Actual Costs - Reimbursement request does not need to include the
vendor invoice if directly related to Becca; however, it must be kept locally
and equipment is used solely for case processing or management. Any
major purchase must be approved by AOC Project Manager prior to
purchase. Major purchase is defined as purchase of an item where the
cost is greater than $500 or where the service/maintenance period on the
equipment is greater than one year and could exceed $500 in total
BECCA Guidelines 7/2023 3 IAA24303
maintenance costs. Vehicle and other high cost items are not allowable
purchases.
• The purchase of printers and laptops is allowable within the existing
contract allocation as long as the equipment is only provided to perform
Becca work.
• Costs Allocated by an Internal Administrative Rate— Equipment costs may
be allocated, but reimbursement request must be documented by an
internal administrative rate specific to the court and approved by the court
administrator. The internal administrative rate documentation must be on
file and available to AOC and State Auditor. The vendor invoice must also
be on file.
5. Training
• Reimbursement for attending the annual Becca Conference is provided,
not to exceed the published AOC travel and per diem rates.
6. Travel
• Travel/Expense Vouchers for travel to and from the annual Becca
Conference and services specifically related to Becca case processing or
management. Reimbursement is limited to the published AOC travel and
per diem rates.
o Supporting Documentation —All travel reimbursement requests must be
kept locally for audit purposes.
o All travel expenses must be within the travel costs permitted by the
AOC at the time of travel.
7. Detention
• Verification of detention days ordered and days served. Rate for detention
costs cannot be billed at a daily rate that is higher than that charged to
other courts purchasing beds nor should they be higher than the "actual"
daily detention costs. If billing occurs based on a daily rate, records of
actual costs should be kept on file to substantiate daily rate. If a rate is
used for billing, the rate calculation must be kept locally for audit
purposes.
BECCA Guidelines 7/2023 4 IAA24303
Becca Allocation Process
Each biennium, an appropriation is provided by the Washington State
Legislature to the AOC to offset the costs associated with the processing and
case management of Becca referrals. In the 2023-2025 Biennium, the
appropriations equal $7 million per fiscal year.
The Legislature also provides the following direction through budget proviso:
"The administrator for the courts, in conjunction with the juvenile court
administrators, shall develop an equitable funding distribution formula.
The formula must neither reward counties with higher than average per-
petition/referral processing costs nor shall it penalize counties with lower
than average per-petition/referral processing costs."
Allocation of the funding is based on calendar year caseload data from each
county for CHINS, ARY, and Truancy filings. The CHINS and ARY filing data
is available through the online Caseloads of the Courts of Washington
Reports. The source of Truancy filings is a query from the Judicial
Information System (JIS)/EDR Statewide database and limited to 0-16 year-
olds.
The AOC Comptroller maintains an allocation spreadsheet. The calculation is
as follows:
• Sums three years of CHINS and ARY filings and calculates a percentage
of the total for each county.
• Sums three years of Truancy filings limited to 0-16-year-olds and
calculates a.percentage of the total for each county.
• Applies a weighted allocation to the total funding, 46 percent of the CHINS
and ARY/ 54 percent of the Truancy filings. Allocates the total available
funding based upon the weighted allocation percentage.
• A small county base is established at $5,000. Where counties' weighted
allocation results in less than $5,000 for the fiscal year, then those
allocations are set at $5,000 and all other counties' weighted allocations
are lowered to cover the small county base.
• Additionally, for FY 2024, adjustments were made to the formula in
response to the impacts of the COVID 19 Pandemic on case filings. The
adjustments were to exclude 2020 and 2021 filings and implement a 5
percent stop-loss. These changes were recommended by the Washington
Association of Juvenile Court Administrators and approved by the State
Court Administrator. The recommendation is included as an attachment to
these guidelines.
BECCA Guidelines 7/2023 5 IAA24303
Audit Process
The AOC Comptroller will periodically audit court Becca reimbursement
requests to ensure requests are supported.
Each year, the AOC Comptroller will randomly select several courts/counties
for audit. On-site audits are not required by the State Auditor's Office (SAO),
but the AOC and AOC Comptroller reserve the right to schedule on-site audits
if desired or required.
The AOC Comptroller (or designee) will review payroll records, invoices,
travel vouchers, and any other records of expenses related to Becca
reimbursement requests. The AOC Comptroller will ensure that expenses
detailed on any of these (or other) reimbursement request documents are
supported by required approval and signature of appropriate county staff, and
that the expenses detailed are in support of Becca in that county.
Following this review, the AOC Comptroller (or designee) will contact the
court if reimbursement request(s) do not meet the criteria and file the
attached report in the AOC Becca audit file. See next page for sample report.
BECCA i Gu deletes 7/2023 6 IAA24303
State of Washington
Administrative Office of the Courts
I, [AOC Comptroller name], have reviewed the Becca reimbursement
documents and supporting documentation provided by [county and county
designee name] for the time period Fiscal Year [20XX], and do hereby
declare that:
❑ Documentation is in compliance with Becca cost reimbursement
requirements.
❑ Documentation is not in compliance with Becca cost reimbursement
requirements. The following corrective action must be taken:
Summary/detail of corrective action and completion provided here.
Signed
AOC Comptroller/Designee Date
n:\programs&organizations\wajca\contracts\exhibit as&bs(and old cs-reporting)\exhibit a becca cost guidelines 2023.docx
BECCA Guidelines 7/2023 7 IAA24303
AJCA THE WASHINGTON ASSOCIATION OF
JUVENILE COURT ADMINISTRATORS
EXECGTP7.BOARD June 6,2023
TOMPETERSO`i TO: Dawn Marie Rubio,Christopher Stanley,and WAJCA Members
P,ah;d a,t
S4stirtefi,uay1,ntn ifs
C.t
FROM: TJ Bohi and Chris Simonsmeier,WAJCA Finance Committee Co-Chairs
TJ DORL
Preideat-Bert
Pw•x Ca:ury late,ikc..ut RE: BECCA FUNDING
DAVID RES"NOUM Context:
ltaunnlure?rf PKsadeat
ruruttlee,,.t The state legislature provides$7 million a year in funding to juvenile courts for the
sITIAUPALACIrAS petition filing provisions in the Becca Bill(RCW 28A.225.030). This funding is
intended to support the processing of truancy petitions, child in need of services
Came C,vpn fuvtr,ikewt (CHINS) petitions, and at-risk youth (ARY)petitions.
ANGIE.HOLLIS
Smartt, In 2016 the legislature passed 1182449,which required in part the creation and
4111a1ni.Caw,t+Ii ikCxiet knplementation of Community Truancy Boards and directs juvenile courts enter a
I.i1WA A!IDER50"f Memorandum of Understanding with all schools within the court's jurisdiction to
s.,s..atComas it+mikc.we establish practices that offer a`coordinated and collaborative approach to
address truancy". The current funding distribution formula by which BECCA
PAIR.DAN/f15
C,tarrs luvv,ike...aatt dollars are allocated to the juvenile courts through the Administrative Office of the
Courts(AOC)relies solely on the number of petitions filed with the court and does
JO, JArnRsr.c not account for the collaborative and often informal approaches
C7.laa,0.a mvetuk e,...t that have evolved
since 2016. Juvenile courts have become much more involved in school
IDA YTII.EY re-engagement support prior to the formal legal filing of a petition.
Sdrhtmiah&Yg5 lu+c.k Cow[
K.ATRINA KAVRI::v The Washington Association of Juvenile Court Administrators(WAJCA)is a
lcimt.a,a.tt+'°.mike•...° statewide organization of administrators who are responsible for managing civil
JACKMtRITRY and offender juvenile court operations in Washington Courts. As an organization,
rioN .C tun IuttnikCOW{ WAJCA is committed to the following principles in serving youth under the Becca
Bill:
DENNLS RARHYMV
Cli,rlooss C,,.,ty
Adolescence is a critical period of brain development that creates an
CANDI SHtTTT opportunity to reduce n
v.La,w C'„a ON luvtnik e...t ppo rtynegative outcomes and encourage positive behaviors
that can support a positive trajectory into adulthood.
ants SIMONSIMIRIER I Students experiencing chronic absenteeism represent a population of youth
Owl Comm JovmikC;..: at risk of negative outcomes based on several factors,including social
coREY sTE.PHT S issues, disproportionality, homelessness, substance abuse, mental health,
Chelan C,•a„t+Inv tik C,..( sexual exploitation, and adverse child experiences.
I. Chronically truant students deserve a system of case management,based
on assessment and targeted interventions,that is responsive to the needs
AU.y`• of truant youth and that can be evaluated for effectiveness.
WAJCA PR[QDT.NT'S AWARD I. Collaborative community, court, and school-based interventions provide a
cats,S— vriaxt room,
relevant context for intervention and will be utilized as much as possible.
WAJCA JCA OP THE YEAR ,i Resources should be directed to truant students who demonstrate the
L]a+ia Bet aAh ate,to c`.'m+ highest needs, are cross-system involved,or who are at crucial points of
transition to avoid potential or further criminal justice involvement
STEADFAST COMMITMENT TO roum'AM)FAMILIES.TRANSFORMING OBSTACLES 70 orraam. ZTIES
BECCA Guidelines 7/2023 8 IAA24303
WAJCA and AOC Leadership
June 6, 2023
Page 2
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted our schools and student disengagement was
alarming.As part of the pandemic response, OSPI suspended truancy filings from August 13, 2020
through the end of the 2021 school year. As a result,the BECCA funding was rendered ineffective.
The BECCA dollars are allocated to juvenile courts based upon the number of petitions filed. Given
the outlined challenges with the filing of truancy petitions in the 202012021 school year,AOC and
WAJCA collaborated to identify the most appropriate path forward to ensure resources were available
to local jurisdictions. Essentially.the funding formula was not refreshed for the 2021/2022 or
2022/2023 school years and instead the allotments were kept congruent with the 2019/2020 school
year. This change afforded the juvenile courts the capacity to connect with schools and support
young people and families who were struggling with attendance with or without a formal petition being
filed.
In alignment with our principles listed above and in compliance with HB2449,juvenile courts continue
to work diligently to partner with local school districts to improve enrollment and attendance in school
programs. The challenges and stressors related to COVID-19 have affirmed the critical partnerships
and collaborative efforts between school districts and juvenile courts. The juvenile courts recognize
that school involvement is a critical protective factor against delinquency. The juvenile courts and
school districts remain concerned for the young people who face significant social,emotional, and
economic barriers to school involvement and are most vulnerable in our communities.
Proposed Recommendations:
After careful consideration,WAJCA respectfully recommends discontinuing the freeze on our BECCA
funding formula. WAJCA and AOC have been working together to determine a path forward that is
consistent,reliable,and lessens the dramatic impacts of lifting the formula freeze.
More specifically, WAJCA members voted unanimously in favor of the Finance Committee and
Executive Board recommendation to base the FY 24 allocations on calendar years 2018. 2019, and
2022 petition filing data with a 5%stop loss applied,and the 2020 and 2021 calendar year data
should be permanently omitted from the Becca funding formula.
cc: Sondra Hahn,AOC
Angie Wirkkala,AOC
BECCA Guidelines 7/2023 9 IAA24303
BECCA MONTHLY DETAIL REPORT
Exhibit B Report
Administrative Office of the Courts
(submit monthly with A-19 invoice)
COURT: MONTH/YEAR:
STAFF/FTE
- Judicial officer salary & benefits
- Other court staff salary& benefits
Total $
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
- General vendor services
- Defense attorney
- Other(specify)
Total $
GOODS
- Supplies
- Communication (Telephone/Postage)
- Other (Computer/Licenses)
Total $
EQUIPMENT
- Computer Set-Up
- Other(specify)
Total $
TRAINING
- Becca-specific
Total $
TRAVEL
- Mileage
- Per Diem
Total $
DETENTION
- Daily rate detention costs or actual costs
Total $
GRAND TOTAL $ -
wajca\contracts\exhibit b- becca monthly detail report.xls
IAA24303