Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Opioid Settlement Social Worker topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sheriff seeks county permission to apply for opioid-settlement funds to hire social worker
Summary
The committee granted permission to apply for an opioid-settlement grant (about $175,000 over three years) to fund a mobile social worker to respond to crisis calls, follow up after overdoses and coordinate services with the jail, officials said.
At the Washington County Public Safety Committee meeting, the sheriff requested permission to apply for opioid-settlement funding to hire contract social-work services that would work with deputies on crisis and overdose responses and provide follow-up services to families and individuals.
Staff said the grant would provide about $175,000 over three years per project and that the sheriff’s office planned a one-year contract with options to renew. "We're sending uniform guys, right, to handle it with tasers and weapons and equipment. And we don't have the ability to have someone that has the credentials to be able to maybe diffuse or deescalate the situation," the sheriff said, explaining the rationale for a licensed social worker to respond alongside deputies and provide follow-up care.
Committee members asked how the service would operate, whether the contractor could be called to scenes day or night, and whether existing mobile crisis or social-service entities could fulfill the role. Staff said the planned model would include scheduled coverage and an on-call component so the social worker could respond during day shifts and be available for follow-up the next day if not needed immediately.
A motion to permit staff to apply for the grant passed on a voice vote. The sheriff and staff will return with a contract plan and cost details if the grant is awarded.
