To: Board of Supervisors
From: Ellen McDonnell, Public Defender
Report Title: California Office of the State Public Defender, Expanded Public Defense Services (Holistic Defense) Grant
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT a Resolution, authorizing the Public Defender, or designee, to apply for and accept grant funding from the California Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD), Expanded Public Defense Services (Holistic Defense) Grant, in an amount not to exceed $849,635, and take related actions to support a 26-month holistic legal advocacy program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
If awarded, the County will receive funds in an amount not to exceed $849,635 from the California Office of the State Public Defender to implement a twenty-six (26) months holistic legal advocacy program. No County match is required and there will be no impact to the County General Fund.
BACKGROUND:
The Expanded Public (Holistic Defense) Grant from the California Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD) is designed to expand holistic defense in California. Holistic defense is a client-centered approach to public defense that addresses client needs beyond their immediate criminal case, including drivers into the criminal legal system and collateral consequences of legal system involvement. It generally relies on multi-disciplinary teams.
The Contra Costa Office of the Public Defender will launch a holistic legal advocacy program providing early intervention and support for people charged with or at risk for being charged with Proposition 36 felonies, the Prop 36 Holistic Defense Initiative (P36-HDI) will improve case outcomes, reduce systemic burdens, and mitigate racial disparities for Contra Costa Public Defender clients who have been arrested on Prop 36-eligible offenses and are charged with, or are at risk of being charged with, Prop 36 felonies. P36-HDI will serve at least 312 clients during the funded period at a cost of $2,721 each.
By providing multidisciplinary, pre-filing support to increase client stability, utilization of public healthcare, and access to public benefits, P36-HDI will reduce the rate of future felony filings and convictions, as compared to similarly situated people. It will be available to clients of CCPD and to people transferred to the Alternate Defender Office or Conflicts Program, who have limited access to holistic representation.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the actions are not taken, the County will be unable to receive the awarded OSPD grant funds to implement a holistic legal advocacy program.
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
and for Special Districts, Agencies and Authorities Governed by the Board
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IN THE MATTER OF A RESOLUTION OF THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA AUTHORIZING APPLICATION TO RECEIVE GRANT FUNDING
WHEREAS, the County of Contra Costa is seeking funds available through the California Office of the State Public Defender, Expanded Public Defense (Holistic Defense) Grant.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors: Authorize the Public Defender to execute for and on behalf of the County of Contra Costa, a political subdivision of the State of California, any action necessary for the purpose of obtaining financial assistance provided by the California Office of the State Public Defender, Expanded Public Defense (Holistic Defense) Grant.
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