Justice Point expands programs to tackle substance use crisis

During a recent government meeting, representatives from Justice Point provided updates on various programs aimed at improving community support and supervision for individuals involved in the justice system. The meeting, led by a substitute for Becky Berry, highlighted key statistics and grant applications that are crucial for ongoing initiatives.

The monthly statistics for September revealed that the number of active cases in the Justice Point programs, which include pretrial supervision, diversion, and treatment court, remained stable. Notably, there are currently 39 individuals on the waitlist for pretrial supervision. Efforts are underway to contact these individuals and transition them to active supervision, with plans to eliminate overcapacity memos once the waitlist is reduced to ten.

Justice Point is also preparing to request two Treatment Alternatives and Diversion (TAD) grants from the Department of Justice, each amounting to $150,000. This marks an increase from previous years, as the recovery court program is now fully implemented and requires additional training and resources. A county match of $75,000 is necessary, which will be met through contributions from local organizations and in-kind services.

In addition to TAD grants, the meeting discussed the Reaching Rural initiative, a nationwide effort aimed at enhancing support for individuals with substance use disorders and mental health challenges in rural areas. Following participation in planning sessions, Justice Point is now eligible to apply for a full grant to develop community resources and peer support systems, with a submission deadline of October 15.

Lastly, the Building Bridges family initiative, which aims to strengthen community ties and support for families, has been approved, further demonstrating the commitment to enhancing local resources and collaboration among various stakeholders.

Overall, the meeting underscored the ongoing efforts to secure funding and implement programs that address the needs of individuals in the justice system, while fostering community engagement and support.