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HHS, youth diversion and opioid funding updates: AmeriCorps cut, potential opioid funding match and program developments
Summary
Health and Human Services reported loss of AmeriCorps funding for peer recovery specialists and described steps to retain one peer on local funds; staff also reported potential opioid funding commitments and youth diversion staffing plans.
Joyce from Sawyer County Health and Human Services told the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council on May 14 that national AmeriCorps funding that supported peer recovery specialists was pulled, and county staff are working to retain a part‑time peer specialist using local funds. Joyce said she will present jail survey results at the next CJCC meeting.
Joyce also reported that county opioid settlement planning had already budgeted $16,000 for peer recovery coaches. She said a private partner, described in the meeting as "Bridal Strategies," has indicated willingness to commit a $100,000 match to support opioid‑related spending identified in the county budget. That commitment, Joyce said, could be used to fund harm‑reduction strategies and medication‑assisted treatment integration in the jail. She noted another competitive opioid grant opportunity that would require counties to spend awarded funds by September 2026.
On youth services, the CJCC reported that a diversion worker has been hired from the school district and will start in June; local work with Sirona Recovery began for intensive in‑home family services, and an LCO campaign to increase school attendance is being developed with plans for community events at the start of school.
Public health staff noted drug take‑back results from a recent event: the sheriff's office collected 35 pounds of medication; Hayward Police Department collected 76.74 pounds; LCO was unable to submit data. Staff also noted a successful Meals on Wheels medication collection pilot and reported Narcan distribution at the food shelf that community members said saved a life.
