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Meeting Date:	01/08/2024
Renewal Application for Texas Emergency Network Diversion (TEND) Court Program & 2024-2025 Resolution
Submitted for:	Rosa Cavazos	Submitted By:	Rosa Cavazos
Department:	County Judge

Subject:

Discussion and possible action to approve the submission of a renewal application in the amount of Two Hundred Fifty-Thousand Dollars ($250,000) to the Office of the Governor-Public Safety Office Criminal Justice Division for year four (October 1, 2024 - September 2025) of the Texas Emergency Network Diversion (TEND) Court Program which allows Laredo/Webb County to focus on prevention, investigation, and/or prosecution regarding the exploitation and commercial exploitation of foster youths in Laredo/Webb County, with authorization to allow the County Judge to act as the County’s Executive Officer and Authorized Representative in all matters pertaining in this grant, and any other matters incident thereto. There is no county match requirement for this grant and thus no financial impact on the General Fund. [Requested by Child Protection Court, Selina L. Mireles, Associate Judge]

Issue: There is a need for resources to address the issue of exploitation and commercial sexual exploitation of youth in our community. Persons who have suffered abuse in childhood or adolescence are susceptible to being exploited or sexually trafficked. There is a need to train the community and those involved in the criminal justice system on how to identify potential and current victims and stop the cycle of exploitation. The Office of the Governor of Texas has provided available resources through a grant opportunity to enhance awareness, intervention, and prevention of this serious issue.

Solution: Authorize the submission of the grant application as set forth above to ensure that the Laredo/Webb County, CPS, and Child Protection Court, may continue the Texas Emergency Network Diversion Court Program, a diversion program for potential and current victims of exploitation and sexual exploitation.

Result: The Texas Emergency Network Diversion Program will be in compliance with SPOC, and with the submission rules and regulations set forth by the funding agency.

Background:

The TEND Court program aims to identify minors in CPS foster care, who may be current victims or at-risk victims of being exploited or sexually trafficked, and steer them away from that way of life. The program will collaboratively work with community partners to provide various modes of therapy teaching positive coping skills. In addition, the TEND Court has implemented sessions for the prevention, intervention, and redirection of exploitation, and commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). TEND is in partnership with the National Center for Exploited & Missing Children to educate Laredo/Webb County on the exploitation and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC).

Previous Court Action:

Move forward with the direction/action of the Webb County Commissioners Court as approved:
1st FY - February 8, 2021, 2nd FY - January 24, 2022, and 3rd FY - January 23, 2023, during the regular meeting.

Fiscal Impact

Budget Account Number:	2747
Funding Source:	OOG
Balance:	n/a
Financial Impact:
N/A

Attachments
2024 -2025 TEND Court Grant
23 24 TEND Resolution