Discuss, consider and take appropriate action on acceptance of FY-2019 Discretionary Grant Statement of Grant Award, Grant Number 212-19-D08, for Transformational Justice:  Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Indigent Defense program.

On May 1, 2018, the Commissioners Court unanimously approved agenda item #31 to apply for a FY-2019 Discretionary Grant through the Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC).  The grant application was for the Transformational Justice:  Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Indigent Defense program.  This program is for justice-involved emerging adults (17-24) and will provide community-based, multi-disciplinary intervention to address the factors that often contribute to their involvement in the criminal justice system.  Some of the risk factors for program participants will be:  mental health disorder, untreated or unrecognized trauma, substance use disorder, chronic unemployment, homelessness, and involvement in the CPS and/or foster care systems.  The program will collaboratively address the issues and unmet needs of the emerging adults to produce positive life outcomes, while maximizing community safety.  The program is evidenced-based and outcome driven, with both Texas A&M Public Policy Research and University of Texas School of Public Health Science Center participating in the evaluation of the grant.