The Basics
Improvement Grants help counties develop new programs or processes to improve indigent defense. Improvement Grants are competitive, dependent on available funding, and usually require county matching funds. Funding priorities include the following:
- New public defender offices
- New managed assigned counsel systems
- Mental health, juvenile, or other specialty defender offices
- Indigent defense coordinators
Interested counties should contact TIDC staff to explore ideas to improve indigent defense.
TIDC Indigent Defense Grant Opportunities for Pandemic-Related Backlogs
TIDC Indigent Defense Grant Opportunities for Pandemic-Related Backlogs
The Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC) has issued a special FY22-23 Supplemental Request for Applications for grants available immediately to support indigent defense projects that help to address pandemic-related case backlogs.
- $13.9 million is available for programs that add new indigent defense capacity to help address backlogs.
- Programs may qualify for 100% grant funding for up to two years.
- Eligible programs include new or expanded public defender offices (regional or single-county) and other programs that add new indigent defense capacity in a jurisdiction that helps reduce pandemic-related case backlogs.
- Counties must apply by May 2nd, 2022, for consideration at TIDC’s June board meeting. (Applications may be considered after May 2nd if funds remain available, however interested counties are strongly encouraged to apply before May 2nd for the best chance to receive a grant.)
- Review the FY 22-23 Supplemental Request for Applications (RFA) for more details and instructions on how to apply.
The recording from the March 25 Grants to Address Pandemic Related Backlogs webinar is now available. Passcode:?6$2N9N0. Click here to view the recording
The PowerPoint presentation from the webinar is available as well. Click here to view the presentation
In addition to funds for pandemic-related backlogs, the Supplemental RFA also includes special funding for indigent defense programs providing specialized representation for defendants with mental illness. Eligible programs include new, specialized mental health public defender offices or managed assigned counsel programs. Interested counties should contact TIDC for more information on mental health defender grant opportunities.
For more information, please contact Edwin Colfax, Director of Grant Funding, at ecolfax@tidc.texas.gov or 512-463-2508.
TIDC Announces Indigent Defense Grant Opportunities
The Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC) has issued the FY2023 Request for Applications for programs that improve indigent defense services in Texas. Additionally, TIDC has issued a special FY22-23 Supplemental Request for Applications for funds available immediately to support indigent defense projects that help to address pandemic-related case backlogs or for indigent defense programs representing defendants with mental health challenges. While county matching funds are required for the regular FY2023 grants, programs addressing the pandemic-related backlog or mental health defender programs may qualify for 100% grant funding for up to two years.
The materials from TIDC's Improvement Grant Application Training and Q&A webinar from Friday, February 4, 2022 is available here: http://tidc.texas.gov/media/4oabukvw/fy23-improvement-grant-application-process-training-presentation.pdf
Both the FY2023 Improvement Grant Request for Applications (RFA) and the Supplemental RFA for Projects Addressing Pandemic-Related Backlogs and Mental Health Defender Programs are now available on TIDC’s website and include details on eligibility and the application process.
Counties considering an application are strongly encouraged to contact TIDC as soon as possible to ensure that the proposed program is eligible and to get initial feedback. Please contact Edwin Colfax, Director of Grant Funding at TIDC at ecolfax@tidc.texas.gov or 512-463-2508 with any questions or to discuss ideas for grant proposals.
Apply for an Improvement Grant
Have you talked to TIDC and determined your county is eligible? You can apply here.
FY 23 Improvement Grant RFA FY22-23 Supplemental Improvement Grant RFA Addressing Backlogs And Mental Health Defender Programs
Learn More
To find out whether your county is eligible for an Improvement Grant, contact TIDC Director of Grant Funding Edwin Colfax: ecolfax@tidc.texas.gov or (512)936-6994.
You can also read about public defender offices and managed assigned counsel programs on our Publications page.
Please view our presentation on TIDC's FY22 Improvement Grant Application process here:
Have Questions?
TIDC's Grant Team can help.
