| Item Title: | Public Defender - Mental Health Litigation and Advocacy Unit third year | | Submitted By: | Jaime E. Gandara, Chief Public Defender, Public Defender's Office (915) 546-8185 | | Subject: | Approve and authorize the County Judge to Sign the Statement of Grant Award from the Texas Indigent Defense Commission for FY2020 Continued Multi-Year Improvement Grant in the amount of $426,728 for the Public Defender Mental Health Advocacy and Litigation Unit (PDMHALU). A 60% grant match in the amount of $640,091, is required in the FY20 budget. Funding is available in GF-PUBDEFEX-XFR OUT-GRNT MATCH. (Contract No. 2019-0525) | | Background: | The Public Defender Mental Health Advocacy and Litigation Unit (PDMHAL) began representing clients in FY18. It focuses on the unique needs of clients with severe mental illness and intellectual disability and has been very effective advocating for the least restrictive conditions of release necessary. The attorneys work closely with investigators, social workers, and community resources to highlight mental health and intellectual disabilities as both defenses and mitigation of punishment where appropriate.
The Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC)'s discretionary grant program is designed to facilitate Counties establishing new system capacities and transitioning the cost into County budgets over several years. The grant program uses a stair step match requirement, where Counties fund 20% the first year, 40% the second, 60% the third, and 80% in the final grant year, with the program becoming a permanent part of the County budget thereafter. PDMHALU' and its grant funding further the County's Strategic goals of financially sound government leveraging County funds with State funding, and professional, effective County organization, by developing, implementing, and operating a model program for services to clients with severe mental illness and intellectual disability facing allegations in the criminal justice system. We are requesting TIDC authorize a grant amendment to offset anticipated program cost increases due to step increases, COLAs, and contractual requirements. | | Fiscal Impact: | Grant amount: $426,728
County match of $640,091
Funding is available in FY2020 in account:
GF-PUBDEFEX-XFR OUT-GRNT MATCH
COGF-1000-0000000-433-20-21005-0001-MATCH-800102-
The Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC's) Competitive Discretionary Grant Program was developed to assist Counties is developing and implementing enhancements to local indigent defense programs, especially those which will serve as models for other counties. This item is the for the third year of the program, requiring a 60% cash match. TIDC utilizes a stair step grant match structure, which culminates with the program becoming a full County program in the fifth year. Budget and Fiscal Policy has indicated that funds for FY 2020 match levels will be included in the FY 2020 budget. | | Recommendation: | Approve and authorize the County Judge to Sign the Statement of Grant Award from the Texas Indigent Defense Commission for FY2020 Continued Multi-Year Improvement Grant in the amount of $426,728 for the Public Defender Mental Health Advocacy and Litigation Unit (PDMHALU). A 60% grant match in the amount of $640,091, is required in the FY20 budget. Funding is available in GF-PUBDEFEX-XFR OUT-GRNT MATCH. (Contract No. 2019-0525) | | Prior Action: | Commissioner's Court approved submission of the Intent to Submit Grant application for the Public Defender Mental Health Advocacy and Litigation Unit to the Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC) on March 6, 2017, item number 17. TIDC approved the Intent to Submit Application and issued a notice to proceed with the full grant application on April 5, 2017. The Court authorized submission of the full grant application on April 24, 2017, item number 11, and accepted the grant award on July 31, 2017, item number 2017-0470. The Court approved submission of the application for the second funding year on April 30, 2018, under contract number 2018-0223, and accepted the grant award on July 23, 2018, under contract number 2018-0437. The third year funding application was approved by the Court on May 6, 2019 under contract under 2019-0316. | | Strategic Plan: | 2019.PEO.8 | | Strategic Plan Information: | The Public Defender's Office's Mental Health Litigation and Advocacy Unit's funding through a partnership with the Texas Indigent Defense Commission, (TIDC), provides a significant benefit to both the clients we serve and taxpayers. The unit's specialized client representation meetings the unique needs of clients with serious mental illness and intellectual disability, while at the same time leveraging State funding to fiscal burden on El Paso County's taxpayers. |
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