Research and Evaluation Services

San Mateo County, located in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area, is a diverse and dynamic region known for its innovative public services, strong community partnerships, and dedication to fairness and community well-being. Home to more than 740,000 residents, the county includes urban, suburban, and rural communities, each with unique needs and strengths. The San Mateo County Probation Department plays a vital role in supporting community safety and individual rehabilitation by providing evidence-based supervision and services across juvenile and adult populations. The Department is seeking proposals from qualified research and evaluation firms to assist in assessing and improving the effectiveness of its programs, enhancing accountability, and advancing positive outcomes for justice-involved individuals and their communities. The selected firm(s) will evaluate juvenile programs, funded through various grants, and operated by contracted community-based organizations. This includes producing annual reports for the County’s Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council (JJCC), with a focus on program performance, measurable outcomes, and alignment with grant objectives to support data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement in juvenile services. In addition, the firm(s) will provide consultation and technical assistance for the development of the 2030-2035 Local Action Plan, which will outline countywide strategies for addressing juvenile crime, and assist with updating the annual Juvenile Justice Realignment Block Grant (JJRBG) Plan, which focuses on services for youth who have committed serious offenses. Both efforts require facilitating a public engagement process in collaboration with the Department. Finally, the firm(s) may be asked to conduct research and analysis on programs within the Adult and Pretrial Services Division. Through these combined efforts, the selected firm(s) will support the evaluation of programs and help shape future strategies to improve outcomes across Juvenile Services, and Adult and Pretrial Services.