Delaware County commissioners authorize application for Ohio opioid remediation grant to expand jail treatment
July 10, 2026 | Delaware County, Ohio
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The Delaware County Board of Commissioners on July 9 voted to authorize submission of an application to the Ohio Attorney General's opioid remediation grant program that county staff said would expand medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in the jail, add a second program coordinator to strengthen discharge planning and pay for lifesaving medications.
Cassie Neff, criminal justice programs manager with the sheriff's office, told commissioners the grant would "expand treatment coordination, add a 2nd program coordinator to improve discharge planning and continuity of care, purchase lifesaving medicated assistant medications, strengthen outcome tracking and community partnerships, and increase access to evidence-based treatment for individuals with opioid use disorder." She said demand for medication-assisted treatment rose 153% from 2024 to 2025.
Sheriff Jeff Balzer described the county's approach as focused on connecting people leaving custody to treatment rather than simply incarcerating them. He said the program builds on existing county investments in clinicians and nursing staff and would use settlement dollars rather than new local tax revenue.
Speakers emphasized public-safety outcomes. Neff said people leaving jail are "10 times more likely to overdose than anybody in the general population," and that the grant would reduce overdoses and recidivism by ensuring continuity of care after release. The jail director said the county's existing structures and programming position it to be competitive for the grant and to serve as a model for similarly sized jails.
County commissioners moved, seconded and voted to authorize submitting the application. Presenters said the county will submit the application immediately upon approval and expects notice of award in late August or early September; if awarded, funds would be executed within the grant year.
Resolution 26-489 was approved by the board on a unanimous vote.
Cassie Neff, criminal justice programs manager with the sheriff's office, told commissioners the grant would "expand treatment coordination, add a 2nd program coordinator to improve discharge planning and continuity of care, purchase lifesaving medicated assistant medications, strengthen outcome tracking and community partnerships, and increase access to evidence-based treatment for individuals with opioid use disorder." She said demand for medication-assisted treatment rose 153% from 2024 to 2025.
Sheriff Jeff Balzer described the county's approach as focused on connecting people leaving custody to treatment rather than simply incarcerating them. He said the program builds on existing county investments in clinicians and nursing staff and would use settlement dollars rather than new local tax revenue.
Speakers emphasized public-safety outcomes. Neff said people leaving jail are "10 times more likely to overdose than anybody in the general population," and that the grant would reduce overdoses and recidivism by ensuring continuity of care after release. The jail director said the county's existing structures and programming position it to be competitive for the grant and to serve as a model for similarly sized jails.
County commissioners moved, seconded and voted to authorize submitting the application. Presenters said the county will submit the application immediately upon approval and expects notice of award in late August or early September; if awarded, funds would be executed within the grant year.
Resolution 26-489 was approved by the board on a unanimous vote.
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