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County reports first-year deflection program numbers; shelter contract expected after months of delay
Summary
County staff reported that the opioid deflection program has offered services to 51 people since September 2024, with 35 enrollments and 10 graduates so far. Staff also said they are expecting state contracts to reimburse shelters for beds created in the last biennium and that shelters have been operating without state reimbursement since June 30.
County staff updated the Human Services Advisory Council on the county's deflection program and pending shelter contract reimbursements. Monica, County staff, said the program has been offered to 51 people since it began in September 2024, with 35 people entering the program and 10 graduations so far; she added the program will record three more graduates next Monday. "Overall, in the past year, we've offered this program to 51 people. And we've had 35 who have entered the program. And we have had 10 graduations this next Monday. We will see 3 more graduates through the program," Monica said.
Monica described efforts to expand referral pathways, including working with first responders and medics so people revived from overdose can be offered entry into the deflection program. She said the largest number of interactions involve people aged 30–49 and that methamphetamine and fentanyl are the most commonly identified substances.
Monica also reported progress on state contracts for shelter funding. After waiting more than three months for contract documents, she said she had been notified that the county would receive a contract to review that would provide shelter funds for beds created in the previous biennium and to continue support for existing shelter providers. "I received an email today that I'm supposed to be getting a, a contract for us to review to provide shelter funds to our, shelters, shelter beds that were created in the last biennium," Monica said. Staff noted the shelters have continued to operate despite not receiving state funds since June 30, 2025, and that the county hopes to get contracts signed and providers reimbursed soon.
Why this matters: deflection programs and shelter funding are central to county strategies for overdose response and homelessness assistance; the contract news could restore reimbursement for providers that have been operating without state funds.
