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Deschutes County to apply for state behavioral health deflection grant; phase 1 worth about $311,000
Summary
The Board authorized applying for the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission behavioral health deflection grant to expand a jail-based program that diverts people with substance use disorders into treatment. Staff said phase 1 funding is roughly $311,000; phase 2 allocation is not yet known.
Deschutes County commissioners voted Aug. 13 to authorize submission of an application to the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission for the Behavioral Health Deflection Grant Program, a two‑phase state grant intended to expand diversion of people with substance use disorders from jail into treatment.
County and sheriff’s office officials told the board the program is already operating at the county jail and would expand with grant funds. “We have currently 30 people already enrolled in our program and about 22 people who’ve already successfully moved on,” said Captain Michael Schultz of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. Schultz described partnerships with local treatment providers and navigators that connect people leaving custody to services.
Jessica Vanderpool, management analyst for the jail, said the grant is divided into two phases. “The first phase is actually happening this month, then it’ll be about $311,000 that we’re eligible for,” she said. Vanderpool and Schultz said the second phase will be announced in October and the county does not yet know its share of that pool.
Schultz framed the program around House Bill 4002, which he said focuses misdemeanor-level responses for people who are severely drug dependent and emphasizes treatment and other alternatives to incarceration. He said the jail has allowed outside partners into custody to deliver services and credited private partners Ideal Option and Best Care with providing navigators when needed.
Commissioners moved and seconded authorization to submit the application for phase 1 and to pursue phase 2 when the state issues criteria. The motion passed on a voice vote; the record shows Commissioners Adair and Chang and the chair voting yes. No commissioner spoke in opposition during the meeting record.
The action in the consent agenda allows county staff to complete and file the grant application. County officials said if the program funding ceases in the future, the sheriff’s office would aim to absorb staff as feasible.
The board did not adopt programmatic changes or new policies at the meeting; the item authorized only submittal of the grant application and participation in the state program.
