Title
a. Authorize the Public Defender or Chief Assistant Public Defender to accept the $136,258 Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment Grant “CARE Court (CARE)” from the State Bar of California (“State Bar”) to provide mental health services, substance use disorder services, and represent respondents in CARE Act proceedings; and
b. Authorize the Public Defender or Chief Assistant Public Defender to execute the Grant Agreement with The State Bar of California for a total Grant amount of $136,258 for the grant period retroactively from October 1, 2024 through January 1, 2026.
Report
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Authorize the Public Defender or Chief Assistant Public Defender to accept the $136,258 Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment Grant “CARE Court (CARE)” from the State Bar of California (“State Bar”) to provide mental health services, substance use disorder services, and represent respondents in CARE Act proceedings; and
b. Authorize the Public Defender or Chief Assistant Public Defender to execute the Grant Agreement with The State Bar of California for a total Grant amount of $136,258 for the grant period retroactively from October 1, 2024 through January 1, 2026.
SUMMARY
In 2022, Senate Bill 1338 was enacted, creating the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court Program (Welfare and Institutions Code sections 5970-5987), as amended in 2023 by Senate Bill No. 35. In 2024, Assembly Bill No. 107 was enacted, allocating $16,750,000 (“CARE Court Fund”) to be distributed by the Judicial Council of California through the State Bar via grant awards to qualified legal services projects and unawarded funds, if any, to Public Defenders to provide legal counsel pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 5976 of the Welfare and Institutions Code for representation in CARE Act proceedings, matters related to CARE agreements, and CARE plans by December 1, 2024. The County of Mon...
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