As previously highlighted, Marshall County Community Corrections Executive Director Ward Byers recently provided some details about the $60,000 Justice Partners Addictions Response Grant that was awarded this fall.
He shared that in addition to funding particular resources associated with diversion methods and treating substance use disorder, the grant funds will be utilized for two positions; a peer recovery specialist as well as a an individual who would work to conduct assessments within the jail.
Byers said that while the grant technically started in October, he doesn’t see anything happening until after the first of the year since they’ll have to bring a budget before the County Council for approval.
He added that some details also still have to be worked out before the funds are ready to be spent for the designated purposes.
He explained, “The grant itself is a judicial grant and those are some decisions that are going to have to be made as to whom these employees will be reporting to and who is going to be the coordinator of those funds that were applied for under Superior Court #2.”
Judge Dean Colvin added to that, explaining that a timetable is required since they’re looking to secure funding for this purpose next year as well.
He noted, “The only reason we have to start it on a specific time table is because you have to have one grant in place in order to get the next grant which is the other $60,000 of the $120,000 we’re looking at.”
Colvin mentioned that the County’s judges would be meeting in the coming weeks to deliberate about the time table and establish a system that will be utilized for managing the grant.
Additional details about this topic, as well as other items discussed with the MCCC Advisory Board will be shared during this week’s Maximum Impact program which will air tomorrow at noon on MAX98.3 FM.
