Corrections Grade Tablets & Educational Software

The County of San Mateo, Probation Department (the “County” and/or “Probation”) supports justice-involved youth by providing the mentorship and tools they need to succeed after detention. To enhance these efforts, we are seeking corrections-grade, tamper-resistant, rehabilitative tablets—secure mobile devices specifically designed to give detained youth access to vital educational and vocational resources.

These tablets serve as a critical bridge for academic and vocational advancement, providing specialized preprogrammed software while maintaining essential family connectivity through strictly monitored, secure communication channels. Continuous oversight by Youth Services Center-Juvenile Hall (YSC-JH) staff ensures all interactions remain safe, appropriate and compliant with security protocols. In addition to supporting academic vocational and familial goals, the integration of vetted media – including movies and games - shall serve as key behavioral incentive to foster positive engagement and personal accountability. This comprehensive strategy reinforces vital support networks and cultivates the stability necessary for a successful reintegration into the community.

The Probation Department is soliciting proposals from qualified vendors to deliver a comprehensive, secure and correction-grade tablet solution. The plan serves as a vital link between educational success, vocational growth and essential family support systems.

The selected system must feature tamper-resistant hardware and pre-programmed, secure software for learning and monitored communication. By integrating strictly controlled family connectivity and vetted media (movies/games) as behavioral incentives, this initiative aims to maintain institutional security while providing youth with the digital tools and support networks essential for community reentry. This request seeks 50 units to achieve a 1-to-1 tablet-to-youth ratio allowing all youth to pursue a robust selection of courses like mathematics and resume writing, behavioral therapy and financial literacy modules. Additionally, the solution must facilitate the acquisition of trade-specific credentials and English as a Second Language (ESL) certifications to support career readiness and successful reentry.

Furthermore, the selected vendor is required to provide initial on-site training and on-demand support for the duration of the contract. Additionally, a Dedicated Account Manager (DAM) shall be assigned to the Probation Department to facilitate regular progress meetings and ensure consistent ongoing assistance.

The Institutions Services Division of the San Mateo County Probation Department safeguards our community by fostering a culture of restoration and provides a secure foundation for justice-involved youth to cultivate personal accountability and bridge the gap between detention and community contribution. The YSC manages a diverse dual-population model as staff provide stabilization for short-term detained youth awaiting court outcomes, while simultaneously operating a Secure Youth Treatment Facility (SYTF). This specialized track provides long-term, intensive rehabilitation for youth who previously would have been committed to the State Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), focusing on deep-seated behavioral change and extended vocational readiness. Led by a Superintendent and five (5) Institution Services Managers (ISMs), the YSC-JH ensures high-quality daily operations. These leaders oversee approximately 35 full-time Group Supervisors, who meet the needs of our evolving population by operating within a dual-track supervision model. They are trained to pivot between two distinct operational priorities and provide care, safety, and security for youth in detention while facilitating their rehabilitation, resocialization and a productive return home.

For Fiscal Year 2025-26, the YSC-JH maintained an average daily population (ADP) of 26 youth in traditional detention, in addition to a specialized track of ten (10) SYTF youth.

Probation has identified the need to augment our internal resources through secure, corrections-grade tablet technology. These devices, featuring pre-programmed software and remote monitoring capabilities, offer a proven remedy for expanding both short and long-term educational, vocational, and therapeutic access—as well as safe family connections—while maintaining the highest standards of security.