JERAC recommends and tables opioid grant requests as transportation needs outpace funds

The investment advisory council (JERAC) on Sept. 5 reviewed multiple opioid-related grant applications, heard competing transportation and program needs from recovery organizations and made mixed recommendations as available funds proved limited.

Council staff reported $76,368 in restricted opioid funds — money limited to direct opioid‑remediation treatment and services — and $130,314.25 in unrestricted opioid funds that can be used more broadly. Members said the number of applications now exceeds available dollars and asked applicants to clarify requests and seek joint proposals where possible to leverage matching funds.

Applications discussed included a mentorship and prevention pitch from All for 1 Ministries, a transportation request from the Arc of Decatur County, a transportation-related request from Esperanza, a mortgage-related request from Foundations for Recovery and other program requests. Alex, the representative for All for 1 Ministries, described a school-based mentorship program operating in three public high schools and one private school, with volunteers, a curriculum and a prevention emphasis.

Representatives from the Arc of Decatur County (Christine and co-director Donald Romley) sought funding to purchase vehicles to address persistent transportation gaps that limit clients’ ability to keep medical appointments, attend recovery meetings and start work. The Arc described relying on volunteer drivers and said it routinely serves roughly 25–30 clients and records significant mileage for transportation to meetings and appointments.

After discussion about sustainability, matching opportunities and program readiness, the committee took several formal steps:

- The committee approved sending a recommendation on a $30,000 application for the coroner’s office to the commissioners.

- The committee tabled the Foundations for Recovery mortgage-related request and invited the applicant to return with more documentation and clarity.

- The committee voted to recommend $20,000 from unrestricted opioid funds to All for 1 Ministries. Members said the applicant’s program has merit but expressed concerns about fitting prevention programs to treatment-designated dollars; one committee member opposed the recommendation during the recorded vote.

- The committee voted to table transportation requests from the Arc and Esperanza pending further information about matching opportunities and the feasibility of a joint proposal; staff were asked to schedule a special meeting to review joint proposals and matching questions.

Members discussed a strategy to encourage joint proposals — for example, the Arc and Esperanza submitting a combined transportation plan so the county’s contribution could be matched by other state or private funds. Participants also raised that some local providers have not pursued RecoveryWorks or similar statewide matching opportunities and therefore may be forgoing available matched funds; the committee discussed offering dollar-for-dollar matching incentives as an option to leverage local fundraising.

Council members also discussed prevention efforts tied to a separate public-awareness initiative called “1 Pill Can Kill” and a school-based data and convocation program often described as a Get Schooled convocation; speakers said Get Schooled collects live data in schools and can pair with public outreach to guide where advertisements and follow-up services are most needed. Participants noted 988 is being used as part of a follow-up referral pathway for immediate crisis calls and local CIT teams are handling next-day follow-up.

The council recessed and scheduled a special reconvening next Friday at noon to consider follow-up documentation and joint proposals. Several members emphasized the need for additional written material from applicants so the advisory committee could present credible recommendations to the county commissioners.