Action 9.
Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting
Legal Advocate
- Meeting Date:
- 02/07/2023
- Title:
- Position request for Legal Advocate Office
- Submitted By:
- Stephanie DeCastro, Indigent Defense
- Department:
- Indigent Defense
Presentation:
No A/V Presentation
Recommendation:
Approve
Document Signatures:
BOS Signature Required
# of ORIGINALS
Submitted for Signature:
Submitted for Signature:
0
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Xochitl Orozco
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Legal Advocate
Docket Number (If applicable):
Mandated Function?:
Not Mandated
Source of Mandate
or Basis for Support?:
or Basis for Support?:
Information
Agenda Item Text:
Approve the addition of one Position Control Number to the total positions in the Office of Legal Advocate, to create a Social Worker position utilizing funds from Title IV-E (Indigent Defense) reimbursements, for the purpose of improving parent and/or child representation in dependency cases.
Background:
Per an Interagency Agreement between the Arizona Department of Child Safety, the Arizona Supreme Court, the Administrative Office of the Courts, and the County, the County currently receives partial reimbursement for costs associated with the legal representation in dependency cases. To date, the county has approximately $129,800 in the Title IV-E fund. The County can utilize these funds to expand, enhance or develop initiatives that improve the ability of attorneys to manage their dependency caseload, including the hiring of attorneys, paralegals and/or social workers.
Adding this new PCN would allow the office to hire a Dependency Social Worker. The Social Worker would allow for the existing attorney in the Office of Legal Advocate (OLA) and the new position to manage time conflicts in court hearings, family meetings, foster care hearings, and other related meetings. It would also enable the two employees to share home visits, especially when they are out of the county.
The anticipated hiring salary is $46,000, plus EREs for an estimated total of $62,500 annually. All future employment would be contingent on the availability of funds in Title IV-E, similar to grant-funded positions.
Adding this new PCN would allow the office to hire a Dependency Social Worker. The Social Worker would allow for the existing attorney in the Office of Legal Advocate (OLA) and the new position to manage time conflicts in court hearings, family meetings, foster care hearings, and other related meetings. It would also enable the two employees to share home visits, especially when they are out of the county.
The anticipated hiring salary is $46,000, plus EREs for an estimated total of $62,500 annually. All future employment would be contingent on the availability of funds in Title IV-E, similar to grant-funded positions.
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
Contact HR to create PCN and forward information to Office of Legal Advocate. Increase wages and benefits budget within G/L 575-0100-0120 - Title IV-E IDC for position.
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
Social Worker position will not be funded and dependency caseload management will not be improved.
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
Send minutes to Stephanie DeCastro in IDC Department for Title IV-E reporting purposes.