Board approves peer‑recovery coach contract and $29,000 visitation grant for court services

The Oakland County Board of Commissioners approved two circuit court items: an agreement with OCHN to provide liaison services and peer recovery coaching for the adult treatment court and acceptance of a $29,000 pass‑through grant for access and visitation services.

Chris Budjic, court business manager for circuit and probate, described the OCHN agreement as an "up to" arrangement based on OCHN’s current estimate of what full staffing would require. Budjic said OCHN had lost a federal grant, which has made the county’s request for additional support higher than in previous years; the county is not currently obligated to spend the full estimated amount and may seek a budget amendment later depending on state funding decisions. "This is an up to. We are certainly going to try though to fully staff the program. And we may be back to you to request additional funding," Budjic said.

Suzanne Hollier explained the access and visitation contract is a federal pass‑through handled by the State Court Administrative Office and equals $29,000 for this year. The funds will reimburse a vendor that the county bid to provide supervised visitation (typically court‑ordered supervised time for parents with significant mental‑health or substance‑use issues). The county selected Impact Counseling of Waterford; Hollier told commissioners the reimbursement rate for the service is about $45 per hour and the awarded amount will run out by year end unless additional funds are made available by SCAO.

The board approved both items in a single vote; the motion carried with all commissioners present voting in favor.