TIDC approves more than $1.7M in grants to expand mental health defense services

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Last week, the Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC) approved more than $1.7 million in new improvement grants aimed at expanding access to mental health defense services and “strengthening public defender capacity” in Hays County, according to a news release from TIDC.

“These grants are an important step in strengthening public defense across Texas, particularly in rural areas and for clients with mental health needs,” Scott Ehlers, executive of TIDC, said in the release. “We are grateful to our community partners who are leading these efforts.”

TIDC approved four key grants to four counties, as provided by the commission below:

• Atascosa County was awarded $200,200, which will help staff its new mental health court with an attorney and social worker. They will be able to “serve clients with mental illness facing non-violent felony charges.”
• Hays County was awarded $410,083 “to add a dedicated mental health team to the Hays County Public Defender’s Office.”
• Medina County was awarded $362,549 “to expand capacity of the Hill Country Regional Public Defender’s Office.”
• Polk County was awarded $760,607 to establish its new public defender’s office. That includes the staffing of “four attorneys and two staff members.”

According to the commission, $10 million was made available via the Texas Legislature.

“Eligible uses include, but are not limited to, indigent defense internships and fellowships, recruiting support, training, equipment, and reducing county matching fund requirements,” TIDC said.

Furthermore, a total of $3,499,181 was awarded from the TIDC Board to Atascosa, Bee, Burnet, Culberson, Hale, Maverick, Medina, Potter, Tom Green and Victoria counties. Additionally, the Texas Tech University School of Law and the Caprock Regional Defender Office were also awarded under the program, according to TIDC.