Title
Public Defender recommending the Board adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 104-2023:
1) Delegating authority to the Chief Administrative Officer, the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, and the Chief Public Defender to accept a three-year grant award from the Board of State and Community Corrections for grant funds available through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant in the amount of $660,000 for use over three years and execute Grant Agreement BSCC 1201-23; and
2) Delegating authority to the Chief Administrative Officer, the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, and the Chief Public Defender to administer said agreement and execute and administer subsequent amendments or documents, if any, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, and further authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Public Defender, Assistant Public Defender, Agency Chief Fiscal Officer, or designee, to execute any required fiscal and programmatic reports.
FUNDING: Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funding, as established by Title I of Public Law 90-351.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Authorized by Title I of Public Law No. 90-351, the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program is the leading federal source of criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. Each state is allocated funding based on an equal weighting of their national shares of population and violent crime. The California Board of State and Community Corrections then makes funding available to counties based on population, with counties with fewer than 200,001 people eligible for up to $660,000 over a 42-month grant period. The El Dorado County Chief Public Defender applied for and has been awarded funding in the amount of $660,000 for the term between June 30, 2023, and December 31, 2026. The funding may be used to support a broad range of program areas, including providing additional personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, training, technical assistance, and information systems for criminal justice.
With the funding made available through this grant opportunity, the Public Defender will hire 1.00 FTE Paralegal and 1.00 FTE Social Worker to provide a higher level of service and support, with the Social Work Team also starting a pilot program of reentry service evaluations for clients who are detained, with an emphasis on clients who are mild- to-moderately mentally ill. The Social Work Team will also connect clients to services, benefits, and resources, when appropriate, to reduce recidivism and encourage client wellness. These grant funds will not supplant but enhance existing programs and efforts by the Public Defender’s Office.
ALTERNATIVES
Should the Board decline to adopt Resolution 104-2023 and decline to approve the acceptance of the Justice Assistance Grant funds, the County would be ineligible to participate in the Program and, as a result, not be awarded the funding identified for El Dorado County.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no Net County Cost associated with this agenda item. The allocation for El Dorado County under the JAG Program is $660,000 over the three-year cycle. If approved, the revenue, appropriations, and personnel allocations will be included in the FY 2023-24 Adopted Budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain the Chair’s signature on Resolutions 104-2023.
2) Clerk of the Board will return one (1) certified Resolution 104-2023 to Public Defender.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public safety
CONTACT
Teri Monterosso