Title
a. Authorize the Office of the Public Defender to submit an application for the purpose of obtaining financial assistance from the State of California Office of the State Public Defender’s Expanded Public Defense Services (Holistic Defense) Grant in the amount of $850,000 with a grant service term of March 2, 2026-May 15, 2028; and
b. Designate and authorize the Public Defender, Assistant Public Defender, Administrative Department Head for the Public Defender’s Office, or Designee to execute grant documents and applications for the Expanded Public Defense Services (Holistic Defense) Grant.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Authorize the Office of the Public Defender to submit an application for the purpose of obtaining financial assistance from the State of California Office of the State Public Defender’s Expanded Public Defense Services (Holistic Defense) Grant in the amount of $850,000 with a grant service term of March 2, 2026-May 15, 2028; and
b. Designate and authorize the Public Defender, Assistant Public Defender, Administrative Department Head for the Public Defender’s Office, or Designee to execute grant documents and applications for the Expanded Public Defense Services (Holistic Defense) Grant.
SUMMARY:
The 2025-2026 Budget Act (SB 102) appropriated funding to support the expansion of public defense services statewide, specifically focusing on holistic defense-a client-centered approach to public defense that integrates legal advocacy with critical support services such as social work, housing, employment, substance use treatment, and mental health resources. The State of California Office of the State Public Defender has made $14,250,000 available statewide through the Expanded Public Defense Services (Holistic Defense) Grant, encompassing a grant service term of March 2, 2026-May 15, 2028, with up to $850,000 available per Public Defender office. The Office of the Public Defender seeks to submit a...
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