Deschutes County accepts $311,908 state grant for behavioral health deflection program

The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 15 voted unanimously to accept $311,908 in grant funding from the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission to support the county’s Behavioral Health Deflection Program. The award was made official by a motion to accept Document No. 2025‑989, which passed with Commissioners Chang and Adair and the chair voting yes.

The grant will fund internal staff positions and payments to two local partner organizations that help divert people with substance‑use or behavioral health disorders away from arrest and into community‑based treatment, county staff said. Jeff Price, business manager for the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, briefed the board and was joined at the dais by Captain Schultz, who oversees corrections, and senior management analyst Jessica Vanderpool.

Price said the county previously sought approval to apply for “phase 1” of the state program and that the county’s application received the “earmarked total” it requested. He told the board that the state program is intended to “divert or deflect individuals with substance abuse or behavioral health disorders away from the criminal justice system and into community‑based treatment.”

Commissioners noted early program results: County officials said the program recently held a graduation ceremony in which about 10 people completed the program; another earlier graduation also had about 10 participants. Participants who complete the program receive case management support aimed at housing, family reintegration and employment, officials said.

Commissioner Chang said she was glad the state is funding the locally developed model and called recent graduations “really exciting.” Price emphasized local partnerships that support the program, including the district attorney’s office, private treatment providers and local nonprofits, and he named program coordinator Neil Marchington as responsible for reviewing jail intakes for people who could benefit from deflection.

The motion to accept the grant was moved and seconded on the record; the board voted to accept the funds and the chair congratulated staff.

What's next: County staff will complete the grant acceptance paperwork and begin administering the funds according to the grant award. The board did not vote to change program design during the Oct. 15 meeting; discussion focused on accepting the award and acknowledging the program’s operations and partners.