Discuss, consider and take appropriate action on application to the Texas Indigent Defense Commission for FY-19 Competitive Discretionary Grant Program and approving a resolution supporting the grant application.

Research in neurobiology and psychology demonstrates that young adulthood is a distinct period of development, with significant cognitive and emotional intelligence changes occurring into the mid-twenties.  Justice-involved young adults (17-24) are a population that requires a community-based, multi-disciplinary intervention to address the factors that often contribute to their involvement in the criminal justice system and help avoid the school to prison pipeline. Some risk factors for young adults are: at least one diagnosable mental health disorder, untreated or unrecognized trauma, substance use disorder, chronic unemployment, homelessness, and involvement in the CPS and foster care systems.  The report "Transformative Justice: A Developmental Approach to System-Involved Emerging Adults", written by the Lone Star Justice Alliance is attached for further details and stats. 
The grant application is requesting resources that will help provide young adults with community-based services through a localized, collaborative program to address the young adults issues and unmet needs, which could include mental health, substance use, housing, work force training and transportation.  The program is similar to the Veterans Treatment Court with individualized treatment plans and close monitoring of participant progress to produce positive life outcomes, while maximizing community safety. The program will evidenced-based and outcome driven, with Texas A&M Public Policy Research Institute doing program evaluation.