Grant County officials updated the J-RAC on Sept. 2 about opioid-settlement spending and local behavioral-health capacity.

County members said two positions are currently supported by opioid-settlement dollars: one drug-court probation officer and one treatment coordinator whose role is to expedite placements into residential treatment, detox or sober-living services. The treatment coordinator, the board heard, can arrange treatment in as little as two hours in some cases, reducing jail admissions for individuals otherwise facing immediate incarceration.

"We diverted them and had them in treatment within two hours," a program representative said, describing how rapid placements have reduced time spent in custody for some individuals.

The county said the opioid-settlement disbursements are unpredictable; earlier rounds were automatic based on prescriber data and later rounds required opt-in. The county and city are discussing partnership opportunities and short-term programs that must be spent within tight windows (one referenced round must be spent by April of the grant period).

Marion Health staff reported that the local health system plans to open a walk-in psychiatric medication clinic, with an intended October 1 start date operating three days a week to offer medication starts (for example, Vivitrol) and rapid assessment for people discharged from jail or seeking immediate help. Marion Health also noted expansion of its resident primary-care clinic and collaboration with Ivy Tech on a simulation lab to grow local health workforce capacity.

Officials said the treatment and clinic efforts aim to improve access to rapid behavioral-health care and reduce avoidable jail stays for people with substance-use and mental-health needs.

Ending: County and health-system staff said they will continue to coordinate the use of opioid-settlement funds, pursue grant opportunities and report back on program results and the psychiatric clinic’s early operations.