AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Last week, the Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC) approved more than $1.7 million in new improvement grants aimed at expanding access to mental health defense services and "strengthening public defender capacity" in Hays County, according to a news release from TIDC.

"These grants are an important step in strengthening public defense across Texas, particularly in rural areas and for clients with mental health needs," Scott Ehlers, executive of TIDC, said in the release. "We are grateful to our community partners who are leading these efforts."

TIDC approved four key grants to four counties, as provided by the commission below: • Atascosa County was awarded $200,200, which will help staff its new mental health court with an attorney and social worker. They will be

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