HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2019-030Whatcom County
Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2019-307
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360)778-5010
File ID: AB2019-307 Version: 1 Status: Approved
File Created: 05/29/2019 Entered by: KFelbing@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Council Office File Type: Resolution
First Assigned to: Council
Agenda Date: 06/04/2019 Next Mtg. Date: Hearing Date:
Primary Contact Email: BBuchana@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Resolution regarding reducing incarceration of young adults (Council acting as the Health Board)
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
None
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To:
06/04/2019 Council APPROVED
Attachments: Proposed Resolution for June 4, 2019
Final Action:
06/04/2019
Enactment Date:
06/04/2019
Enactment #:
RES 2019-030
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 6/5/2019
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PROPOSED BY: Barry Buchanan
INTRODUCED: June 4, 2019
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-030
REDUCING INCARCERATION OF YOUNG ADULTS
(Council acting as the Health Board)
WHEREAS, The Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force (Task Force), acting
as the county Law and Justice Council, has identified a priority focus of young adult
incarceration prevention and reduction; and
WHEREAS, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation has awarded a grant for
technical assistance to Whatcom County to participate in a national Policy Academy focused on
this effort; and
WHEREAS, a Policy Academy Team consisting of a Whatcom County Councilmember, a
Health Department Manager, two Bellingham City Councilmembers, a Washington State Senator
and two State Representatives have formed a Policy Academy Team funded in large part by the
MacArthur Foundation and working with the National Association of Counties, the National
League of Cities, and the National Conference of State Legislatures in a concerted effort to
identify and implement local strategies to prevent and reduce incarceration of young adults
aged 18 — 24; and
WHEREAS, research emphasizes the importance of nurturing positive neuro-
development in very young children to develop protective factors and resilience that reduce risk
of future criminal justice involvement; and
WHEREAS, research has demonstrated that exposure to adverse experiences at a young
age can increase risk for future criminal justice involvement; and
WHEREAS, behavioral health challenges left untreated or undertreated can compromise
resilience; and
WHEREAS, the model of population health developed by the University of Wisconsin
Population Health Institute has determined that 50% of what makes and keeps a person
healthy results from access to healthy environments, economic opportunities, housing security,
and education; and
WHEREAS, the geography of where an individual lives is indicative of the social
determinants of health they experience and thereby influences their overall health and future
resilience and protective factors, which include living in a safe and higher quality environment,
caring and positive community norms, and economic opportunities; and
WHEREAS, research shows that exposure to domestic violence and incarceration of an
adult in the family home are significant risk factors for children that correlate to increased risks
in adulthood, leading some into intergenerational engagement with the criminal justice system;
and
WHEREAS, young adults incarcerated for more than an initial 72-hour period are more
likely to return to the criminal justice system than those who experience fewer hours of initial
incarceration; and
WHEREAS, public safety and public health are mutually inclusive and exist only when
behavioral health, family health and stability, and social determinants of health are positively
supported; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council resolved to include Health In All Policies, which
includes strategies along a continuum of Prevention, Intervention, Treatment and Support; and
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WHEREAS, numerous efforts in the community are in progress to address the health
and well-being of families, young children, youth, and young adults, to include programs that
increase connections to schools and local communities, improve built environments, increase
access to quality child care, as well as the formation of "Generations Forward"; and
WHEREAS, these efforts can result in a positive return on investment in healthy early
childhood development as well as long-term decreased exposure to the criminal justice system;
and
WHEREAS, the INDEX (Information Needs and Data Exchange) Committee of the Task
Force is forming policy goals to prioritize prevention and reduction of young adult incarceration;
and
WHEREAS, data indicates that an aging workforce edging toward retirement will open
opportunities for young adults to become contributing members of society; and
WHEREAS, demographic trends indicate an increase in the racial and ethnic diversity
among the youth and young adult population; and
WHEREAS, racial disparities still exist in criminal justice systems and negatively impact
individuals who are non -white; and
WHEREAS, local community efforts that focus on improved population health across all
sectors to include families, businesses, schools, neighborhoods, and the criminal justice system
will prevent and reduce future incarceration of young adults.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Health Board that the
County will work collaboratively with organizations such as the Task Force/Law & Justice
Council, other Whatcom County jurisdictions, Law Enforcement, Prosecutors, Whatcom County
Health Department, and community organizations and leaders to:
1. Identify the multiple efforts and initiatives currently in operation in the
community focused on reducing the exposure of youth and young adults to the
criminal justice system,
2. Coalesce these efforts along a continuum of Prevention, Intervention, Treatment
and Support, aligning with the Sequential Intercept Model as appropriate across
jurisdictions in Whatcom County including service and nonprofit sectors, Tribes,
education institutions, and foundations,
3. Create a system for improved data collection, analysis, reporting, and responsive
action across all sectors, to include fiscal and asset mapping and gap analyses,
4. Develop cultural competencies in staff and incorporate into processes throughout
the various criminal justice systems in an effort to eliminate racial disparities, and
5. Prioritize policy development and funding that invest in growing healthy and
resilient children, youth and young adults through prevention and early intervention
prograTA,,,,er;,,,
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APPU E t�s d4 of June , 2019.
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Dana Brown -Davies:, C1grk ofthe 706—uncil
APPiROV AStTQ,FO:RM
ren Frakes, Chief Civil Deputy Prosecutor
WHATCT4CbuNTY', WASHINGOTOND
Rud Browne, Council Chair
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