Primary Department: Public Defender
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Genesis Draper
Secondary Department: N/A
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Grant - Application
Project ID (if applicable):
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Texas Indigent Defense Commission
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable):
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable):
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): 0%
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): Grantor does not allow indirect cost capture
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by the Public Defender for approval to submit an application to the Texas Indigent Defense Commission for grant funds in the amount of $293,333.81, with no required match, for the FY26 Future Indigent Defense Leaders Cohort 6 Statewide Training & Mentoring Program.
end
Background and Discussion:
This grant, funded by the Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC), is part of the broader Harris County Improvement Grant Program. It supports the Future Indigent Defense Leaders (FIDL) initiative, which is designed to cultivate the next generation of public defense leadership in Texas. The period of funding and program operation is October 1, 2025 - September 30, 2026.
Expected Impact:
Securing funding is essential to sustain this program, which is dedicated to enhancing indigent defense by cultivating the next generation of skilled, client-centered defense attorneys. Through comprehensive training and mentorship, the program strengthens the quality of legal representation for underserved communities, upholding the constitutional right to counsel and contributing to a more equitable justice system.
Alternative Options:
Seek alternate funding sources or discontinue the program.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 1. Make Harris County safer and more just.
County Strategic Plan Objective: N/A
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): B1: Increase the use of effective and efficient deflection responses using non-criminal justice resources for non-violent behaviors, particularly those primarily related to substance use, mental health, poverty, and homelessness.B1
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): Choose an item.
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): Choose an item.
Health Initiative (Goal 4): Choose an item.
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): Choose an item.
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): Choose an item.
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Service Name |
Future Indigent Defense Leaders Cohort 6 Statewide Training & Mentoring Program |
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Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
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$293,333.81 |
$293,333.81 |
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Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
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Current Position Count for Service |
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Additional Positions Request |
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Total Personnel |
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Anticipated Court Date: 8/26/2025
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 10/1/2025
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Carmen Mireles, Office Administrator, Public Defender’s Office
Attachments (if applicable): Notice of Funding Opportunity, Application narrative