Expanded Public Defense Grant (Holistic Defense)

The Expanded Public Defense Grant (Holistic Defense) aims to expand public defense services in California, focusing on holistic defense. This approach addresses client needs beyond their immediate criminal case, including drivers into the criminal legal system and collateral consequences of legal system involvement. Allowable uses of the funding include hiring social workers, mental health professionals, housing specialists, establishing or expanding holistic defense initiatives, specialized training, and data collection. Applicants are encouraged to review evidence-based literature and utilize their institutional expertise when creating proposals. Funding limits vary by project scope, with small scope projects limited to $450,000, large scope projects to $850,000, and multi-county proposals capped at $1.8 million. • Eligible applicants are restricted to Public Defender Offices/Alternate Defender Offices and Qualified Entities Providing Indigent Defense. • Eligible geographies are California counties. • The grant period is 26 months. • Indirect costs shall not exceed 10% of the overall budget proposal request.