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Affirm acceptance of the Office of the State Public Defender, Expanded Public Defense Services (Holistic Defense) Grant of $440,601 for February 1, 2026 through June 1, 2028; Adopt a resolution amending the list of Numbers and Classifications of Positions to add 1.0 FTE Mental Health Clinician (Licensed) (Limited-Term Project) for February 1, 2026 to May 15, 2028; and Approve Appropriation Transfer Request recognizing $58,702 in unanticipated State Grant Revenue offset by Salaries and Benefits (4/5 vote required)
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Published Notice Required? Yes No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Public Defender recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1. Affirm acceptance of the Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD), Expanded Public Defense Services (Holistic Defense) Grant of $440,601 for February 1, 2026 through June 1, 2028;
2. Adopt a resolution amending the list of Numbers and Classifications of Positions to add 1.0 FTE Mental Health Clinician (Licensed) (Limited-Term Project) for February 1, 2026 to May 15, 2028; and
3. Approve Appropriation Transfer Request recognizing $58,702 in unanticipated State Grant Revenue offset by Salaries and Benefits. (4/5 vote required)
SUMMARY:
The 2025-2026 State Budget Act (SB 102) appropriated funding to support the expansion of public defense services, specifically holistic defense. $14,250,000 is available for direct grant awards. 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.
The Public Defender's successful application (Attachment B), which the Board approved submission of on October 7, 2025, requested funding to hire a 1.0 FTE Mental Health Clinician (Licensed) (Limited Term - Project) ("LMHC") to service the clients of both the Public Defender and the Alternate Public Defender'...
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