To: Dale K. Weighill, Governmental Operations Committee Chairperson
From: Nathaniel C. Perry, III, Chief Public Defender
title
RE: Approval of a request by the Chief Public Defender for three staff members to travel to the National Association for Public Defense (NAPD) We the Defenders Conference in Detroit, MI; the dates of travel are August 12, 2024, through August 15, 2024; total cost for this travel is fully grant funded with an amount not to exceed $3,700.00
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Approval of a request by the Chief Public Defender for three staff members to travel to the National Association for Public Defense (NAPD) We the Defenders Conference in Detroit, MI; the dates of travel are August 12, 2024, through August 15, 2024; total cost for this travel is fully grant funded with an amount not to exceed $3,700.00
BACKGROUND:
As detailed in the attachment, this year’s conference will take place in Detroit, Michigan at Wayne State University, one of the top research and community engagement centers in the country with a focus on holistic defense, NAPD will bring together the pivotal workers in defense-based systems. “We the Defenders” is the essential conference for public defense investigators, mitigation specialists, social workers, paralegals, and other core staff - all roles except attorneys - who play a critical role in defense-based work. Development opportunities, networking, collaboration, and sustainability are woven into the various workshops, small groups, plenaries, and sessions at We the Defenders. This is a celebration of the diversity, skill, and dedication that you bring to the public defense community and an acknowledgment that every member of the team is vital.
DISCUSSION:
The Office of the Public Defender would like to send three staff members, one paralegal, one investigator, and one mitigation specialist, to this year’s We the Defender conference. There will be relevant sessions for each related to their job duties. The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission is encouraging attendance and the funding for training and travel is available through our grant funds.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
None.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
The funding is provided by the MIDC grant. No County appropriation is required. Source of Funding: MIDC: 2921-283.00-910.004
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
Staff will coordinate with Motor Pool to carpool using a county vehicle.
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
None.
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
The Office of the Public Defender is responsible for providing constitutionally guaranteed, quality legal representation to all adults charged with crimes in Genesee County who cannot afford an attorney, embracing diversity, equity and inclusion in our daily operations. This conference will bring our staff together with diverse people and groups and encourage an inclusive, collaborative culture.
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, that the request by the Chief Public Defender to authorize travel and overnight lodging for three staff members to attend the 2024 National Association of Public Defense We the Defenders conference at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, August 12 - 15, 2024, at a total cost not to exceed $3,700 to be paid from the MIDC Grant, account 2921-283.00-910.004 with no County appropriation required, is approved (a copy of the memorandum request and supporting documentation being on file with the official records of the June 5, 2024 meeting of the Governmental Operations Committee of this Board).