County health staff: federal termination notice ended local drug court despite later rescission

Terry, a public-health manager, told the Ashland County health board that the county’s wellness-to-recovery adult drug court lost federal funding after a notice from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

“Notice of termination was received on January 13 at 09:34PM, our time,” Terry said, adding the termination was effective that same day. The judge overseeing the program discharged all participants on Jan. 14, leaving the county with no active treatment-court participants.

County staff later received notice that SAMHSA had rescinded the termination on Jan. 15, but Terry said the program could not be rebuilt in time for participants who had already been removed from the court. Terry reported that 11 participants were affected and said two of them later were jailed. “It was extremely unfortunate and extremely unfortunate for the participants,” Terry said.

Board members pressed staff about alternatives. Elizabeth Franick asked whether other wraparound or state programs could be used; Terry and other staff pointed to the CCS (Comprehensive Community Services) program and to potential Treatment Alternatives and Diversion (TAD) grants as possible replacements or supplements.

Doctor Horning asked how many people were enrolled when the discharges occurred; staff said 11 participants were affected and that two were pending admission at the time of the termination notice.

Terry described outreach efforts to support affected participants and said the district attorney has tried to account for participants’ engagement levels in subsequent sentencing recommendations. Staff said the judge has indicated interest in seeking another TAD grant, which they expect could be less vulnerable than the SAMHSA award.

The board discussed whether to pursue public messaging; Terry cautioned that because the judge’s decision left no immediate path to restart the program, a public political statement might not be productive. The board agreed staff should continue exploring other funding paths and local wraparound options and share any grant leads with the county grant writer.