To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Public Defender’s Office
Staff Name and Phone Number: Jeremy Scannell, 565-3869
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
2023 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Adopt a resolution accepting the terms and conditions of grant funding from the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) and delegating authority to the Public Defender to execute the grant agreement for the 2023 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant in the amount of $1,935,333 for the term June 1, 2023, through December 31, 2026. (Majority Vote)
B) Adopt a resolution authorizing budgetary adjustments to the FY 2023-2024 Public Defender’s adopted budget to add revenue and expenditure appropriations totaling $723,195 to cover cost associate with the grant program. (4/5th Vote Required)
C) Adopt a position resolution to add 1.0 time-limited FTE Deputy Public Defender IV and 1.0 FTE Administrative Aide - Project to support the grant activities through June 30, 2026. (Majority Vote)
(4/5th Vote Required)
end
Executive Summary:
The Sonoma County Public Defender’s Office applied for and has been awarded a competitive Justice Assistance Grant by the BSCC in the amount of $1,935,333. The grant period is June 1, 2023, to June 30, 2026.
The grant funds will be used the create a new Holistic Defense Unit that will focus on innovations in indigent defense and help clients navigate needed mental health and other services. The Public Defender’s Office is requesting 1.0 FTE time-limited Deputy Public Defender and 1.0 FTE Administrative Aide-Project to support the department’s new Holistic Defense Unit. The Public Defender’s Office will return with a separate item for an additional position funded through the grant program.
Discussion:
The Sonoma County Public Defender’s Office applied for and was awarded the BSCC Justice Assistance grant under the Prosecution and Court Programs Program Purpose Area, specifically in order to create a holistic defense unit that will focus on innovations in indigent defense and mental health liaisons.
All funded programs through the BSCC Justice Assistance grant are required to: 1) emphasize reducing recidivism, racial and ethnic disparities, and violence, 2) incorporate trauma-informed care and be culturally informed, competent, and responsive, 3) prioritize mental health needs and the avoidance of criminal justice system involvement, and 4) prioritize community-based organizations as service providers.
Many clients of the Sonoma County Public Defender’s Office cannot access the services they need to improve their lives. The holistic defense unit will assist our clients to successfully navigate the needed services.
Through this grant we will hire an Administrative Aide-Project that will serve as a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) liaison, bridging the gap between our attorneys, our clients, and the Department of Motor Vehicles. This will improve our client’s lives by assisting them in obtaining or reinstating their driving privileges, which will in turn help our clients maintain employment and avoid incarceration and fines.
Additionally, the department will hire a Deputy Public Defender IV - Time-Limited to be lead counsel for the holistic defense unit and represent clients in all mental health courts. This attorney will also work closely with department staff to file all appropriate mental health diversion applications for our clients.
The grant application also includes funding for a Social Services Worker position and for client services and supplies including bus passes, 1 night stay hotel vouchers for un-housed clients, clothing, and food for clients without resources. However, after the grant application was submitted and approved by the BSCC, the department determined that the job duties of a Behavioral Health Clinician would provide additional benefit and more appropriate skill set necessary to support the holistic defense unit. The department is working with Human Resources to explore options for the placement of the Behavioral Health Clinician position as this is a Department of Health Services job classification. Upon determining the best option, the Public Defender’s Office will submit a grant modification request to the BSCC to replace the Social Services Worker with a Behavioral Health Clinician position. Once the grant modification is approved, the department will return to the Board via a separate board item to request approval of that position.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
N/A
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY 23-24 Adopted |
FY24-25 Projected |
FY 25-26 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
|
641,819 |
641,819 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
651,695 |
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
651,695 |
641,819 |
641,819 |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
651,695 |
641,819 |
641,819 |
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
651,695 |
641,819 |
641,819 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
All costs for salaries, benefits, services, and supplies will be covered by BSCC Justice Assistance grant. FY23-24 costs are slightly higher due to position startup costs (computer, phone, etc.). There is no local match required.
|
Staffing Impacts: |
|
|
|
|
Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
|
Deputy Public Defender IV - Time Limited |
$14,698.54 - $17,867.49 |
1.0 |
- |
|
Administrative Aide - Project |
$5,471.73 - $6,649.22 |
1.0 |
- |
|
|
|
|
|
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
The addition of the Deputy Public Defender IV - Time Limited and the Administrative Aide - Project will have no impact on the current workload of the existing staff.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Grant Funding Terms and Conditions Resolutions
Attachment 2 - Position Resolution
Attachment 3 - Budget Resolution
Attachment 4 - BSCC Grant Agreement
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A