Title
Adopt Resolution to:
a. Ratify the submittal of a grant application by the Monterey County Public Defender to the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) for the Indigent Defense Grant Program in the amount of $637,000.00 for funding of Public Defender’s Attorney and Case Management Enhancement project (ACME); and
b. Authorize the Public Defender or Assistant Public Defender to execute the Grant Agreement with BSCC, accepting an Indigent Defense Grant program award for a total grant amount of $637,000.00, for developing and implementing an ACME project for the grant period February 15, 2021 through June 30, 2023; and
c. Approve the delegation of authority to the Public Defender or Assistant Public Defender to act on the County’s behalf to carry out and consummate all transactions contemplated during the grant period.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors support adopting a resolution to:
Adopt Resolution to:
a. Ratify the submittal of a grant application by the Monterey County Public Defender to the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) for the Indigent Defense Grant Program in the amount of $637,000.00 for funding of Public Defender’s Attorney and Case Management Enhancement project (ACME); and
b. Authorize the Public Defender or Assistant Public Defender to execute the Grant Agreement with BSCC, accepting an Indigent Defense Grant program award for a total grant amount of $637,000.00, for developing and implementing an ACME project for the grant period February 15, 2021 through June 30, 2023; and
c. Approve the delegation of authority to the Public Defender or Assistant Public Defender to act on the County’s behalf to carry out and consummate all transactions contemplated during the grant period.
SUMMARY:
The Public Defender office is applying for an Indigent Defense Grant Program through the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) in the amount of $637,000.00 to be funded for a period commencing on February 15, 2021 through June 30, 2023. The Board of State and Community Corrections requires formal authorization in order to consider the County’s submission. Therefore, Board approval of the submission is requested.
DISCUSSION:
The Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) is an independent statutory agency that provides leadership and technical assistance to the adult and juvenile criminal justice systems, expertise on Public Safety Realignment issues, a data and information clearinghouse, and provides assistance on a wide range of community corrections issues. The BSCC also administers public safety related to grant funding, including evidence-based practices to fight gangs, and works to address the over representation of youth of color in the juvenile justice system.
The Budget Act of 2020 (Senate Bill 74) established the Indigent Defense Grant Program and appropriated $10,000,000 in funding. Per the Budget Act, $9,800,000 is available for grants to nineteen counties with a population of 550,000 residents or less. The Monterey County Public Defender is among one of the nineteen applicable counties who meet eligibility of this grant. The County’s allocation is $637,000.00.
Funds awarded under the Indigent Defense Grant Program will be utilized to address the Public Defender’s Attorney and Case Management Enhancement (ACME) project. The ACME project will enhance attorney support for indigent client defense by adding a searchable database to our current paperless digital case management system, streamlining the amount of time the court and client wait for the delivery of paper documents that are stored in offsite locations, and automatically sending text messages to remind indigent clients of the time and place of their upcoming court dates.
The use of BSCC grant funds will result in a more efficient case management system that will benefit the court and our defense of indigent clients. Further outcomes will include attorneys allocating more of their time to ensure positive client outcomes by (1) reducing the time attorneys spend in digitizing and automating duties; and (2) reducing re-calendaring court dates caused by client non-appearances; (3) reducing the time attorneys spend in searching for testimony of recurring witnesses to the point of creating a searchable case database, having information quickly at hand will let attorneys efficiently determine the validity of prior conviction allegations, identify client eligibility for all types of post-conviction relief, and rapidly transfer case materials to subsequent counsel for appeal and writ matters; and (4) improving our method of measuring attorney workloads, thereby redistributing caseloads to achieve workload efficiencies.
In addition to the four goals and related outcomes listed above, the ACME project includes the purchase and installation of hardware and software and software training for attorneys. Our plan includes an assistant Public Defender as project director, a designated financial officer, designated day-to-day project and fiscal contacts, and oversight provided by our Public Defender.
ACME project evaluation (local evaluation plan and logic model for process and outcome designs and methods; data collection tools, methods, and analysis; fidelity monitoring; and local evaluation report) will be conducted, through a Memorandum of Understanding by the County of Monterey Health Department evaluation team that conducted the County’s BSCC Strengthening Law Enforcement grant and is currently conducting BSCC’s Proposition 64 Public Health and Safety Grant Program grant.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel and the Auditor Controller have reviewed this report to legal form and fiscal provisions. The County Administrative Office has reviewed this report and the Budget Committee approved this request on February 24, 2021.
FINANCING:
There will be no cost to the County General Fund associated with the recommendation at this time. The department plans to incorporate grant related expenditures and offsetting reimbursement revenues into future budget cycles through FY 2021-2023. Once the grant is approved by the BSCC, if the department requires an increase in appropriations and revenues in the current fiscal year, it will return before the Budget Committee and the Board.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This recommendation meets the Board’s strategic initiatives by promoting an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management and by creating a safe environment for communities to thrive and grow while reducing violent crimes.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
Economic Development
X Administration
Health & Human Services
Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Becky Avila, Management Analyst, Ext. 3048
Approved by: Susan E. Chapman, Public Defender, Ext. 5806
Attachments:
Resolution
Indigent Defense Grant Program Application