CJCC hears Justice Point’s $739,977 opioid-response grant bid to replace lost deflection funding

The Sawyer County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council on July 8 heard that Justice Point submitted a large federal opioid‑response grant application designed to replace recently expired “deflection” funding.

Becky, a Justice Point staff member who presented the packet materials, said the application — referred to in the packet as the “R Corp” (Bridal Communities Opioid Response Impact Grant) — asks for $739,977 over a four‑year period running Sept. 1 through Aug. 31, 2030. "This is a really, really big opportunity for us," Becky said, and she told the council the application would, if funded, cover the peer‑systems navigator position, conversion to PSA screening in the jail and three weekly hours of mental‑health services for recovery court.

Becky told the council the program lost its prior deflection funding when that source was not renewed and said the R Corp application is intended to replace those services. She said Justice Point submitted a pre‑application June 25 and filed the full application the day before the meeting; she cited support letters in the packet from Judge Smith, Chief Deo and others. "There is no match," Becky said, noting that the grant required no local cash match.

When a committee member asked what would happen if the application is denied, Becky said Justice Point would continue operating on a very small, donation‑supplemented budget and would keep seeking alternative funding. Becky confirmed she had received upload confirmations and thanked county staff and collaborators who helped prepare the application.

The Chair noted that grant award notices commonly arrive after the funding term is listed and said the council should not assume immediate availability; Becky said she had seen an online note suggesting an Aug. 31 notice date and that, if funded, operations could begin Sept. 1 because service plans are already in place.

Next steps: Justice Point will notify the council when it learns the award decision; the council packet included the grant narrative and the June program statistics Becky reviewed. The body did not take formal action on the application during the meeting.