Subject:
Title
Renewal with the Public Defender’s Office of the Sixth Judicial Circuit to support jail diversion, juvenile crossover case management and therapy, information technology staff, and the Pinellas County Mental Health Court.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the renewal with the Public Defender’s Office of the Sixth Judicial Circuit (Public Defender) to support jail diversion, juvenile crossover case management and therapy, information technology staff, and the Pinellas County Mental Health Court.
• This renewal continues funding to the Public Defender to support the Mitigation, Advocacy, and Treatment Team (MATT or jail diversion) Department, juvenile crossover services, and Mental Health Court. These programs prevent recidivism and stabilize clients by connecting them to services and community resources.
• The Board of County Commissioners previously approved funding to support MATT - adult jail diversion, juvenile crossover, and Mental Health Court programs on October 25, 2022, with the Public Defender file 22-1317A; the First Amendment was approved by the Director of Administrative Services on March 21, 2024, file 24-0194D.
• Funding for renewal of the agreement in an amount not to exceed $1,831,340.00 is included in the Fiscal Year 2026 Adopted Budget for the Public Defender within the General Fund. The agreement includes fiscal non-funding language, should funding be unavailable.
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Strategic Priorities:
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.2 Enhance community safety
Summary:
Summary
This Renewal continues funding to the Public Defender to support adult jail diversion, juvenile crossover, and Mental Health Court programs that prevent recidivism and stabilize clients by connecting them to services and community resources. It also includes an information technology position to provide technical support as required under Article V of the Florida Constitution.
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Background Information:
In accordance with Fla. Stat. § 27.51(1), the Public Defender’s office of the Sixth Judicial Circuit Public Defender) provides legal representation to indigent adults and juveniles who have been accused of crimes in Pinellas County. In addition, Public Defender collaborates with Pinellas County on several projects that seek to divert clients from higher levels of involvement in the justice system, including the Jail Diversion Recovery, the Juvenile Crossover Program, and the newly established Mental Health Court.
The Board previously approved funding to support adult jail diversion, juvenile crossover, and Mental Health Court programs on October 25, 2022, with the Public Defender file 22-1317A; the First Amendment was approved by the Director of Administrative Services on March 21, 2024, file 24-0194D. The original Agreement funded up to $1,628,710.00 for FY23; $1,806,000.00 for FY24; and $1,805,000.00 for FY25.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding for renewal of the Agreement in an amount not to exceed $1,831,340.00 is included in the FY26 Adopted Budget for the Public Defender within the General Fund. The Agreement includes fiscal non-funding language, should funding be unavailable.
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Public Defender
Attachments:
Renewal