Nine local organizations will receive grants from the opioid settlement funds received by Montgomery County. A total of $146,963 will go toward a variety of humanitarian services.
Youth Service Bureau Director Karen Branch presented the grants for approval. Branch serves on a joint board with the Montgomery County Health Department and Drug Free Coalition to handle the funds from large drug manufacturers. The manufacturers lost a legal case in court and the funds are a part of the settlement ordered by federal judges.
Grant recipients are:
• Pam’s Promise Transitional Housing Corp. will receive $15,250 to provide clients with supportive services through case management staff.
• Through the Gate will receive $20,000 to help pay for a development manager at a new restaurant the group is opening. The restaurant will help program graduates learn skills to better equip them to enter the workforce.
• The Montgomery County Family Recovery Court will receive $9,000 to help program participants overcome financial barriers on the road to recovery.
• Integrated Wellness will receive $5,000 to start an emergency need fund for their clients coming out of incarceration or on their journey to recovery. Integrated Wellness also was granted $425 for medication treatment facilitator training.
• Montgomery County Drug Court received $4,500 to be used to assist participants in a variety of ways such as transportation and communication devices.
• The Montgomery County Probation Department will be awarded $1,100 to fund personal hygiene bags to be given to those coming out of incarceration.
• Recovery Coalition will be granted $9,360 to be used in hiring a part-time Peer Recovery Coach for a period of 12 months. The Recovery Coalition also received $16,640 to hire a part-time support employee.
• Cummins Behavioral Health System will receive $20,000 to provide an incentive for future employees and to help clients pay for services.
• Valley Oaks Health Inc. received $70,000 to expand peer recovery for uninsured and under-insured patients.
Commissioners also discussed county employee health benefits and the renewal of insurance policies. Commissioners will review the policies and will take action at the next regularly scheduled meeting on Oct. 23.
