BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF
Online passport renewal available
Approved budget has funds for judicial reforms Travis County officials have earmarked millions of the nearly $2 billion fiscal year 2024-25 budget to implement a Counsel at First Appearance, or CAFA, initiative and other judicial reforms. Budget explained Over the past year, the county has conducted CAFA test shifts. CAFA provides legal representa- tion to individuals unable to afford it during their initial court appearance after arrest. County commissioners have set aside $15.5 million to fully implement the program. Advocates report that having a lawyer present during the first appearance in front of a judge can improve outcomes. What else? The county’s budget has also allocated various funds toward mental health initiatives.
Mental health initiative funding
$1M in ongoing resources to increase the mental health services contract with Integral Care
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the U.S. Department of State’s roll out of an online passport renewal system in a Sept. 18 news release. The process is meant to save time and effort. It is only available for routine services estimated at six to eight weeks processing time, according to the department’s website. The conditions Online renewal is only available for adults age 25 and older living within a U.S. state or territory, according to the website. The passport must be a regular or tourist passport. It isn’t available for those who have travel scheduled within eight weeks of the application request or if any details of the passport are changing, including name, gender, birth date or place.
$1.19M toward early case review of mental health expedited docket and resources for family violence and protective order programs
$2.7M for continuing mental and behavioral health support services for individuals with serious mental health conditions
$16M in reserves for the diversion facility and program
$20.89M
SOURCE: TRAVIS COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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