DATE: 11/14/17
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Elizabeth Diaz, Public Defender
SUBJECT: Clean Slate Grant Award Retroactive Application and Agreement
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Retroactively authorize the Public Defender’s previous submittal of a grant application to The California Endowment ($93,329);
2. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a grant agreement with The California Endowment effective September 15, 2017 through September 14, 2018 ($93,329) and authorize the Public Defender, or her designee, to sign expenditure forms and activity reports for this grant agreement; and
3. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing the FY 2017-18 appropriations and estimated revenues in the Public Defender Org 2880 in the amount of $93,329 (4/5 vote).
REPORT
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The California Endowment has awarded the Fresno County Public Defender a $93,329 grant, effective September 15, 2017 through September 14, 2018. The grant will fund the Public Defender’s Clean Slate Program to provide post-conviction services and advance health and well-being for low-income individuals in Fresno County. The application was previously submitted contingent upon your Board’s approval.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may choose to decline the award from The California Endowment, which will result in the Public Defender not creating a Clean Slate Program for post-conviction services to advance health and well-being for low-income individuals in Fresno County.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The Budget Resolution will increase appropriations and estimated revenues in the Public Defender Organization 2880 for FY 2017-18 in the amount of $93,329. The $93,329 California Endowment Grant will be used to fund a Clean Slate Program for the Department, including an extra-help Defense Attorney and extra-help Paralegal. There is no match requirement for this grant.
DISCUSSION:
The California Endowment is a not-for-profit statewide foundation whose mission is to expand access for affordable, quality health care for underserved individuals and communities and promote fundamental improvements in the health status of all Californians. Their goal is to change the narrative on health to a broader view of where one lives, works, learns and plays, and then integrate smart solutions to fundamentally change the laws, policies, and systems that impede health in our communities.
The Public Defender has been awarded a Health-Promoting Criminal Justice Reform grant from The California Endowment to support the establishment of a permanent and sustainable system for post-conviction services to advance health and well-being for low-income individuals in Fresno County. The application was previously submitted contingent on your Board’s approval. The recommended agreement is not retroactive as funds have not been accepted and services for this grant will not begin until approved by your Board.
The Public Defender will utilize the grant funding to create a reentry program known as the Clean Slate Program to assist low-income or indigent persons with post-conviction relief and help connect them to services that facilitate healthcare, employment and housing access. The program will assist individuals with applying for Expungements, Certificates of Rehabilitation, and various other post-conviction relief services. Program participants can receive services via a bimonthly clinic and weekly personal consultations. The Department will hire an extra-help Defense Attorney to manage the program including all aspects of operations, training, and applicant assistance. The Department will also hire an extra-help Paralegal to assist in filling out forms and administrative tasks. Extra-help staff will be utilized due to the one-year funding period of this grant (September 15, 2017 through September 14, 2018).
The Department will work with the Purchasing Division of the Internal Services Department to develop a Purchasing Agreement using grant funds to work in partnership with the Fresno Housing Authority (HUD) to refer participants for assistance with HUD’s Voucher Program. A successful expungement can make an individual eligible for: housing, job placement/advancement, financial aid, immigration relief, and many Federal government assistance programs such as healthcare. Additionally, a reentry program such as this not only increases the participant’s earning potential but it also decreases their need for government assistance and helps reunify families through better economic and health stability.
The Public Defender shall prepare a final written report to The California Endowment describing in detail the use of the grant funds, compliance with the terms of the grant, and the progress made toward achieving the purposes for which the grant was made.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Grant Application
On file with Clerk - Agreement with The California Endowment
On file with Clerk - Resolution (Org. 2880)
CAO ANALYST:
Samantha Buck