VANDERBURGH COUNTY — The Vanderburgh County Council voted to approve a $50,000 grant to Junior Achievement using unrestricted opioid settlement funds, saying the program supports financial-literacy education for young people.

Council members approved the payment during the county’s regular meeting after multiple members described one-on-one conversations and briefings about Junior Achievement’s plans and new facility. "This is probably one of the best programs that we can give our children to understand the economics impact," Council member (unnamed in transcript) said during debate.

The motion to approve drew support from several council members who said they had reviewed materials and met with program representatives. One council member who had been initially hesitant said staff briefings and follow-up meetings convinced them the program merited funding. Another member said the board reached consensus, and the motion was carried by voice vote.

Council members framed the award as part of prevention and early intervention work, arguing that youth financial-literacy and education programs can reduce longer-term demands on courts and social services. "I don't think there's a better cause than to find positive alternatives for our young people in the life of drugs," a council member said.

The $50,000 allocation was described in the meeting packet as coming from unrestricted opioid-related funds available to the commissioners and council for local initiatives. The council did not attach additional conditions in the meeting record; the funding will proceed as approved at the meeting.

Council members encouraged continued reporting back from project leads about program implementation and community outcomes; no formal reporting schedule was specified at the meeting.

The council carried the motion by voice vote with no recorded objections.