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Jefferson County sheriff's office seeks approval to accept scholarships and $116,610 opioid-response grant
Summary
Sheriff's Office requested county approval to accept five scholarships for victim advocates and to accept a state opioid response grant totaling $116,610 to fund medication-assisted treatment services in county custody.
David Cripps, budget finance director for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, asked the Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 19 to approve the Sheriff’s Office submissions and to allow acceptance of awards if they are granted.
Cripps said the office has submitted scholarship applications to the Victims and Witness Assistance and Law Enforcement board for five scholarships to send victim advocates to the annual COVA conference, with no local match required. "The amount is $3,500," Cripps said.
Cripps also described a State Opioid Response grant the office is pursuing for fiscal years 2025 and 2026. "This will help fund our payments to our current medical contractor, VitalCore, providing medication-assisted treatment," Cripps said. He said the $116,610 grant would pay for part of a nurse’s time, medication and related lab work for people in the county detention system who need those services. Cripps said there is no grant match requirement.
Commissioners present expressed support for submitting the applications and for accepting the awards if they are offered. The meeting record shows verbal support from commissioners but does not record a formal roll-call vote on either application.
Why it matters: The opioid-response funds would expand medical treatment options inside county custody and offset local expenses for care contractors. The victim-advocate scholarships would support staff training at a conference dedicated to victims and witnesses.
Implementation notes and next steps: If awarded, the Sheriff’s Office indicated it would need a supplemental appropriation to the current budget to accept and expend the funds. No additional implementation timeline or contingency terms were specified during the briefing.
