Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Substance Use Treatment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Eaton County committee approves application to continue jail RSAT treatment program
Summary
The Safety Committee voted June 5 to authorize submission of a grant application to continue the Eaton County Sheriff's Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) program, which provides medication-assisted treatment and behavioral therapy to inmates.
The Eaton County Safety Committee on June 5 voted to authorize staff to submit a grant application to continue the Sheriff's Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) program.
The RSAT program provides behavioral therapy and medication-assisted treatment for inmates assessed and enrolled while in custody. County Controller Sobe told the committee the program was an early adopter in Michigan and that it combines medication and therapy to reduce relapse and recidivism.
"This isn't a soft on crime thing," Controller Sobe said, describing the RSAT program as part of returning people to the community in a more stable condition. She said the program was funded largely through state and federal sources, administered through the Michigan State Police, and started in Eaton County with local and Burns grant funding.
Committee members asked about budget implications. Commissioner Art asked whether approval of the application commits the county to spending the roughly $48,289.25 that may be discussed at upcoming budget meetings. Staff clarified that applying for the grant does not obligate the county to accept or expend money; a separate approval would be required if the county later needed to allocate local funds. The committee was also told the specific application being considered does not request funding for new personnel.
Undersheriff and Sheriff staff described the program's track record, including outside agencies modeling Eaton County's approach and recent federal case law requiring jails to continue medication-assisted treatment for people who were receiving it before arrest.
The committee approved a motion to submit the RSAT application. The matter will move to the full board for final consideration and any necessary budget action.
Details: application authorization approved; submitting the application does not commit the county to a local appropriation; grant is focused on treatment services rather than adding personnel.
