Primary Department: Domestic Relations
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: David W. Simpson, J. D., Executive Director
Secondary Department: Choose an item.
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): Houston Bar Foundation
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 Domestic Relations for approval to submit an application to the Houston Bar Foundation for grant funds in the amount of $10,000, with no required match, for the FY25-26 Family Courts Self Represented Services.
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Background and Discussion:
The Houston Bar Foundation (HBF) provides grants to support access to justice and community education. This includes funding to assist with legal representation for those in need. The HB grants help foster the fair administration of justice for all citizens.
Expected Impact:
Approval is requested to apply for a grant to provide additional funding for self-represented legal services. The grant will enhance existing services to parents navigating the Harris County Family District Court system as self-represented litigants. Parents are eager to move forward with their uncontested, family-related matter.
The service provides attorney-review of pleadings in uncontested family matters to ensure self-represented litigants are prepared prior to the court’s docket. That in turn will assist progression of self-represented cases, access to justice and reduce docket delays because incorrect pleadings or paperwork were submitted.
Alternative Options:
No alternatives identified.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 1. Make Harris County safer and more just.
County Strategic Plan Objective: E: Increase efficiency across the legal system.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): Choose an item.
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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Location:
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Precinct(s): Countywide
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Service Name |
FY25-26 Self Represented Services I the Family Courts |
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Total Existing Budget |
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Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
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Total Additional Budget Request |
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Total Funding Sources |
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Grants – Proposed Budget (For Grants Items only) |
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Local Match Source - Existing Budget:
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Local Match Source - Additional Budget Request:
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Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
$10,000 |
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$10,000 |
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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: 9/18/2025
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: Blanca Reyna; Data Analyst, Grant/Contract Manager, IT Specialist; Domestic Relations Office
Attachments (if applicable): Court Order; Houston Bar Foundation Community Grants Program Application