Opiate settlement money could fund 3-year program

Mental Health and Recovery Board provides suggestions

WARREN -- Commissioners are being asked to use $3 million in opiate settlement funds to finance a three-year program designed to assist residents needing help.

The proposal would provide transportation for those in recovery, $75,000 per year; establish a jail-based treatment program in the Trumbull County jail, $150,000 per year; establish a county behavioral health case manager in the jail, $115,000 per year; upgrade body scanners for the jail, $92,000; continue a workforce development program for people leaving the jail, $500,000 per year and establish a community service program for those in the criminal justice system, $96,000 per year.

April Caraway, executive director of Trumbull County Mental Health and Recovery Board, suggested the county should spend about $1 million per year from the opiate settlement funds. The board worked closely with Sheriff Maj. David Bobby, who manages Trumbull County jail, in developing this proposal.

Caraway said the TCMHRB provides the jail an estimated $400,000 per year because it sees the connection between mental health and drug addiction to crime and the inability of former prisoners to recover after they get out.

"We do not have to," Caraway said. "But we know, as a board, that everyone in the jail has a mental health issue from which they are recovering. These issues led to a lot of the crimes that were committed."

In explaining the need for the $75,000 in transportation funds, Caraway said they have a lot of people incarcerated in the jail who sign up for recovery programs once they leave, but don't have the means to get to the programs once they get out.

The board would like to use $150,000 to expand the county's contract with Meridian HealthCare, so they can enhance both addiction and mental health treatment in the jail.

"We would like to use the opiate settlement funding to pay for these services so we can increase psychiatric and mental health services in the jail through board levy funds," she said.

Caraway also suggested some funds be used to hire someone to navigate the various programs -- Meridian, Coleman, Thrive Peer Services and Catholic Charities -- that work with prisoners in the jail.

"This position would serve as the central point of contact for all service providers and ensure that inmates receive the appropriate care at the right time."

A one-time investment of $92,000 to update body scanners is proposed to be used to address the ongoing and growing issue of illicit substances being smuggled into the jail.

"These are three-year-old scanners and the technology in them is glitching out," Bobby said. "The manufacturer will take everything out of the interior of them and replace them, making the equipment virtually new."

The TCMHRB is seeking to use $500,000 a year to replace a grant currently being used to contract with Flying High to support recovery by offering job training, credentialing and employment placement.

The grant used to provide these services is set to end Sept. 30.

The board is seeking $96,000 to provide meaningful community service opportunities that some former prisoners can use on resumes once they get out of jail.

Caraway would like the commissioners to determine whether they can support these programs within the next several weeks.

"These suggestions are very positive and much needed," Commissioner Tony Bernard said. "It seems to be a good way to spend the opiate money. Having the sheriff department and (April) Caraway working together is very positive."

"It is a step in the right direction," he continued. "I would like to take time to review what we've been presented before making a decision."

Commissioner Rick Hernandez said the county has to provide services to help the community and help those who are struggling with mental abuse and addiction.

"It is not all about opioid addiction, it is about mental illness and it is about where they can go," Hernandez said. "Years ago, there were facilities that would cater to those with mental illnesses.

Now you have a hospital that is no longer operating today. This is a big negative on those who are suffering today."

"The county has this $3 million in opioid money that we will be able to use," he continued. "We will have additional money coming in. It is just a matter of how much."

Hernandez said he will support programming that will help people recovering from opioid addictions and mental health issues.