Programs differ in operational setting and funding base, but ideally provide in-depth screening of offenders for placement purposes, task assignments made with regard to community needs and for the dignity and wishes of the individual assignees, training and assistance to staff of work-sites, monitoring of client progress, timely and accurate reports to the courts and collection of statistical data. CLASP originated with the goal of bringing together the alternative service providers in California in a collaborative effort to keep the practice of placing individuals in community service commitments either in lieu of fines, fees, restitution or jail consistent across county lines and to promote the development, and improve the quality of alternative community service programs throughout the State of California.
History
CLASP, the California League of Alternative Service Providers, was founded in 1975 as a nonprofit coalition of programs that administer community service sentences imposed by the courts. CLASP promotes the effective use of community service to the benefit of the courts, the community, and the offender.