Pay For Success Program Launches

POMONA (Sept. 17, 2015) – The Board of State and Community Corrections is seeking applications for an innovative $5 million grant that rewards private investment when recidivism-reduction programs achieve target outcomes. The so-called Pay for Success projects are made possible by Assembly Bill 1837, which provided that funding would be made available to three pilot counties. The program, which also is known as Social Innovation Financing, requires investors, local government agencies and service providers to agree on outcome goals for programs that reduce recidivism. Repayment on the private investment is based on reaching those targets. Today the Board approved the issuance of a Request for Proposals. Applications are due back to the BSCC on Feb. 1, 2016, and the contract start date is May 1, 2016. In July the BSCC held three statewide workshops to provide information about Pay for Success. A panel of experts from the field also made presentations and answered questions. Seventy-seven people from 34 organizations and agencies requested follow-up and additional resources. The BSCC will select three counties to receive grant funding of not less than $500,000 and not more than $2 million. Counties are required to provide a 100 percent match. Local government agencies and project partners will enter into a multi-year contract that defines outcomes, evaluation methods and repayment terms based on achieving desired goals. A bidders’ conference will take place at the BSCC from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Oct. 20, 2015. BSCC staff members will explain the Pay For Success model and explain the grant requirements and elements of the RFP. For more information please contact: Colleen Stoner at 916-324-9385 or colleen.stoner@bscc.ca.gov