Berrien County commissioners hear updates on opioid-settlement-funded recovery programs

Berrien County commissioners on Thursday heard status reports on programs funded through the county’s opioid settlement funds, including a men’s recovery home run by the Restoration House and a jail-based medication-assisted treatment program that county officials called successful but in need of stronger discharge planning and sustainable funding.

The presentations came during a report from the county’s opioid oversight committee, which reviews quarterly reports, financial status and program performance for vendors funded through the settlement process established by county resolutions in November 2023. "The committee ... has scored each program awarded funds based on the key performance metrics" and recommended continued funding, a county staff member told the board.

Peter Sando, executive director of the Restoration House, described the men’s home and its partners, thanked the county for funding and outlined outcomes since opening. "This has been a deep passion of mine for years now to start a men's home and is deeply needed," Sando said. He told commissioners the house has received more than 25…