SUTTER COUNTY, CA (MPG) - The Sutter County Board of Supervisors has ratified a $450,000 grant agreement with the California Office of the State Public Defender to expand services within the Sutter County Public Defender’s Office.

The funding comes through the Expanded Public Defense Grant Program and will run from Feb. 1 through June 1, 2028. County officials said the grant will support a new holistic defense initiative.

The program will add a full-time licensed social worker and a part-time social worker to the Public Defender’s Office. The positions will focus on clients with complex needs, including behavioral health challenges, housing instability and frequent contact with law enforcement.

Public Defender Michael Sullinger said the grant will allow the office to look beyond the charges filed in court.

“This grant strengthens our ability to address the full scope of challenges our clients face,” Sullinger said. “The goal is to identify non-carceral avenues of assistance, on an individualized basis, for persons charged with non-violent offenses, in an effort to treat the root causes, including but not limited to, housing instability, employment instability, family unit instability, mental health issues not addressed by other programs, trauma centered disabilities and substance abuse issues, that resulted in or contributed to an individual's criminal conduct.”

Under the model, attorneys will work with social workers to coordinate mitigation efforts and connect clients with housing, behavioral health treatment and other community-based services. County officials said the approach aims to reduce incarceration and support long-term stability.

The county plans to build on partnerships developed through the CalAIM Justice-Involved Reentry Initiative. Officials said stronger coordination between legal advocates and service providers may improve reentry outcomes and reduce repeat offenses.

Board Chairman Mike Ziegenmeyer said the board supports programs that improve outcomes while remaining fiscally responsible.

“Similar programs implemented elsewhere have resulted in significant cost savings, and we are always striving to maximize efficiency,” Ziegenmeyer said. “We look forward to seeing how this enhances public safety.”