Porter County commissioners approve $125,000 round of opioid-settlement awards to five local programs

Porter County commissioners approved distributing $125,000 in opioid-settlement funds to five local organizations on March 11, 2025, after a brief presentation by staff and one-minute remarks from each recommended recipient.

The awards committee, chaired by county staffer Megan Wyshinsky, recommended five recipients from 10 applicants. Wyshinsky said the county used a multi-year estimate of settlement receipts through 2038, divided the expected total by 14 to determine a sustainable annual distribution, and limited awards in this round to no more than five recipients. She told commissioners the committee included one commissioner and two county council representatives and that the distribution plan was part of a resolution the board previously adopted.

The five organizations named by staff were The Caring Place; Doolin School (listed in the packet as a school corporation); Marion House; Portage Recovery Association; and 320 Recovery (listed in the packet as “3 20 Recovery”). Representatives from each group spoke briefly to describe planned uses.

Chelsea (last name provided in the meeting as Chelsea, student support services director/coordinator) said most of her school’s award would support school-based prevention and education, and help develop a diversion program for students who have experienced substance-related issues. Jessica Lewis of The Caring Place said her organization would use funds for transportation, group services, aftercare and continuing care for women in recovery. Jake Montague, president of Portage Recovery Association, described plans for a recently donated 15,000-square-foot facility in Portage, saying the award would help build a resource area, library, fitness space and other supports to make services free to clients. Alan Grazula, executive director of eFund and Recovery, said the money would support multiple recovery pathways — art, music, fitness, faith and nutrition — at no cost to participants.

Commissioners moved to approve the five awards as recommended; a motion and second were recorded and the board voted approval by voice. No votes in opposition were recorded on the motion.

The recipients will also present at a common council meeting later in the month, per the process described by staff.