Commission authorizes application for up to $500,000 grant to expand jail treatment and Vivitrol program

Sumner County commissioners authorized staff to apply for a state grant that would provide up to $500,000 to expand in-jail treatment programs, including offering Vivitrol injections to detained individuals to support recovery and continuity of care after release.

A commissioner explained the state set aside up to $5 million and that the maximum award per applicant is $500,000; the proposal would increase programming in the jail and fund a Vivitrol initiative to start inmates on an injectable medication designed to reduce opioid relapse risk and create a handoff to voluntary behavioral health providers at release. "We really think Sumner County has a great shot of getting the full $500,000 to increase our programs in the jail and start a Vivitrol shot," the commissioner said.

Commissioners asked procedural questions about how treatment referrals would interact with sheriff's office responsibilities and an attorney general opinion about in-custody medical care was referenced; staff said the grant is not tied to opioid settlement funds and is a separate funding opportunity. The commission voted to approve applying for the grant.

Next steps: grant coordinator will advance the application process; commissioners approved applying and indicated support for the program concept.