Primary Department: Sheriff
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Ed Gonzalez
Secondary Department: Choose an item.
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Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Financial Authorization
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
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Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
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Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
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Request for approval to use general funds in the amount of $40,000 to partner with the Women’s Justice Institute to establish and implement the Harris County Sheriff’s Women’s Justice Committee and host a launch event in support of the Committee including a Women’s Justice Pathways Mapping Session with support from Core Associates, and general funds in the amount of $1,000 to cover food and drinks for the launch event.
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Background and Discussion:
This initiative directly supports Harris County’s priority of advancing justice and safety by strengthening reentry program support and addressing racial, ethnic, and economic disparities in the criminal legal system. By establishing the Harris County Women’s Justice Commission and partnering with the Women’s Justice Institute, Harris County will create a formal structure to better understand and respond to the needs of women impacted by incarceration, supervision, and reentry.
Women involved in the criminal legal system often experience distinct and complex barriers, including histories of trauma, behavioral health needs, substance use challenges, housing instability, family separation, caregiving responsibilities, unemployment, and limited access to supportive services. These barriers can make successful reentry more difficult and may increase the likelihood of continued system involvement when not addressed through coordinated, gender-responsive strategies.
The Commission and launch mapping session will help Harris County identify service gaps, improve coordination among justice system stakeholders and community-based providers, and align partners around shared priorities. This work will support a more coordinated and data-informed approach to improving continuity of care before, during, and after incarceration.
Creating the Harris County Women’s Justice Commission will strengthen reentry outcomes, reduce barriers to stability, promote public safety, and improve long-term outcomes for women, families, and communities across Harris County.
Technical assistance related to the development of the HCSO Justice Commission: $10,000
The Women’s Justice Pathways Mapping Session (planning, facilitation, data analysis, and reporting):$23,000
Travel expenses: $7,000
Total estimated amount: $40,000
Funding source: General Fund
Expected Impact:
The Women’s Justice Planning Committee is expected to improve coordination among county departments, justice system partners, community providers, and advocacy organizations while strengthening the county’s ability to identify service gaps and barriers affecting women before, during, and after incarceration. Through this work, the committee will help support stronger reentry services and continuity of care for women returning to the community, including increased access to housing, behavioral health care, substance use treatment, employment support, education, family support, and other stabilizing services. The committee will also help reduce duplication of services, better align county and community resources, and support more effective prevention, diversion, and reentry strategies that reduce unnecessary system involvement. By using data to guide planning, policy recommendations, and service improvements, the committee will be better positioned to identify and address racial, ethnic, and economic disparities impacting women in the criminal legal system. Ultimately, this work is intended to improve outcomes for women, children, families, and communities impacted by incarceration while strengthening public safety through improved stability, support, and long-term reentry success.
Alternative Options:
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County Strategic Plan Goal: N/A
County Strategic Plan Objective: N/A
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): D1: Enhance reentry program support.
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): N/A
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): N/A
Health Initiative (Goal 4): N/A
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): N/A
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
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Anticipated Court Date: 7/9/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Celina Diaz, Director of Inmate Reentry and Education Services, Sheriff’s Office
Attachments (if applicable):