County seeks $740,000 federal grant to support deflection program after state grant lapse

Criminal-justice staff provided an update on pretrial, diversion and treatment-court caseloads and highlighted the county's deflection program as an effective option that has relied on donations since its state grant ended.

Staff reported 113 active pretrial clients, 10 diversion clients and three treatment-court clients, and said judges have told the committee the deflection and diversion programs have been effective. Staff also said Becky Berry submitted a federal Rural Communities Opioid Response Program grant application for $740,000 that would support the deflection program; staff characterized the grant as favorable because it requires no local matching funds.

Committee members thanked staff for the update and asked no substantive follow-up at the meeting. Staff emphasized that continued funding would help sustain a program that local judges and partners have praised.