The County of San Diego Probation Department is soliciting proposals for a contractor to operate an expressive media program at the Youth Transition Center (YTC). The program will engage youth in creating original media projects — including short documentary films, podcasts, photo essays, and digital stories — as a vehicle for self-expression, skill development, and healing. Completed projects may be shared with family members, the Probation Department, or broader community audiences at the program's discretion and with participant consent. This is a new contract. Programming must align with Positive Youth Justice (PYJ) and trauma-informed practice principles.
• Documented experience with youth media arts programs in justice or alternative education settings • All facilitators must pass DOJ/FBI fingerprint background clearance • Program provides all necessary media equipment (cameras, audio recorders, editing software) • Trauma-informed facilitation approach; no forced participation or public sharing • Written/digital media consent process for any participant work shared externally • Programming offered minimum 2 days per week within YTC schedule • Portfolio of completed youth media projects submitted with proposal • Participant privacy and data protection protocols documented • General Liability Insurance: $1,000,000 per occurrence • Quarterly participant engagement and outcomes reports to Probation Department
Eligible applicants include arts organizations, nonprofits, and media production companies with experience running youth media arts programs in juvenile justice, alternative education, or youth development settings. Facilitators must be able to obtain DOJ/FBI background clearances to work in a secured juvenile facility.
The County of San Diego Probation Department seeks an arts organization to deliver an expressive media arts program at the Youth Transition Center, using film, photography, podcasting, and digital storytelling as rehabilitative tools for justice-involved youth.