Sacred Heart says opioid-settlement grant funded hires, transportation and new facility plans

Tricia Johnson, division leader at Sacred Heart Serenity Hills, told the Berrien County Board during a presentation that the treatment provider used opioid-settlement grant funds to hire clinical staff, buy a transport vehicle and advance plans for a new facility.

Johnson said the reporting period requested by the board ran from April 2024 to December 2025 and that the program initially experienced delays in hiring but has since filled the positions covered by the grant: “We do have a solid outpatient therapist for this program. We also have 2 peer recovery coaches,” she said.

The provider purchased an SUV with grant funds last July to address transportation gaps in Berrien County. “We purchased the van with the grant funds last July … in the 8 month reporting period, 320 rides were provided for clients,” Johnson said, adding that the rides helped clients get to treatment and non-emergency hospital appointments (about 40 rides per month during that period).

Johnson said the grant paid for a full-time outpatient therapy position and two peer recovery coaches. She reported increased hospital coverage tied to those hires: a peer recovery coach now works 40 hours a week in the emergency department, up from 20, which Johnson said has doubled the coach’s ability to connect people to treatment.

The presentation described expanded collaboration with Corwell Health in St. Joseph. Johnson said Corwell has added a behavioral health unit where Sacred Heart places a peer who provides group recovery services and outreach. She named Dr. Cicely Moreno as a Corwell contact and described ongoing discussions about providing services at the jail using the expertise of Sacred Heart medical director Dr. Janice Romanek.

Johnson also told commissioners that Sacred Heart is building a new standalone facility near Elmwood and Redbud, with site work and excavation under way pending a final permit. She said the new site will replicate current services: 12 detox beds, 28 residential beds and an on-site outpatient program; other services will remain off-site, including a peer recovery home in Benton Harbor. The anticipated completion date she gave was January 2026.

On funding, a commissioner referenced the grant total during questions: “the total grant was … 484,000,” and Johnson confirmed the funding comes through state channels and said the construction project is financed with grants and donations and described the organization as financially diversified. When asked about sustainability after grant expiration, Johnson said she could not guarantee future funding but noted the agency’s 55-year history and said “we are a solid organization financially and otherwise.”

Board members asked practical questions: the facility will not be a locked unit, Johnson said; insurance (including Medicaid and marketplace plans) can pay for services when a person is deemed medically appropriate; and some clients are court-ordered to treatment, which can carry legal consequences if they leave early. Johnson also said Sacred Heart had reached out to the sheriff’s office about possible collaboration on reentry referrals but described that work as still developing.

The presentation was informational; commissioners asked questions but took no formal action. Johnson closed by noting that hiring and partnerships have increased service capacity, and that the provider is reporting stronger metrics in the most recent quarter.

The board received the update as information; no motion or vote on policy or funding was recorded.