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Walker County to host federally funded jail behavioral-health program; county will act as grant fiduciary
Summary
County commissioners approved a grant to fund a behavioral health deflection program in the county jail that will pay for two positions to provide therapy, case management and reentry services; the county will be the fiscal agent for the award.
LAFAYETTE, Ga. — The Walker County Board of Commissioners approved acceptance of a behavioral-health deflection grant on Feb. 6 that will place licensed behavioral-health staff in the local jail to assess and begin treatment planning for inmates with mental-health and substance-use issues.
Alex Litz, who said she wrote the grant while serving as the sheriff’s office grant writer, told the board the award would fund a full-time therapist and a full-time case manager to work with inmates “to work with each and every inmate to find out what’s the issue. Is it housing? Are they homeless? Are they having a drug issue?” She said the award amount is $191,386 and that the grant runs through Dec. 30 of the same year; Litz explained that there is a delay in the federal funding and that extensions or renewals are possible.
Chairwoman Angela Teams noted that the county government acts as the fiduciary for grants applied for by county departments and that the county’s finance office will handle deposits and disbursements for the program. Commissioners voted to accept the grant and to allow the county to serve as the fiscal agent.
Why it matters: County officials said an on-site therapist and case manager could reduce recidivism, facilitate quicker connections to community services, and address a high share of inmates with behavioral-health needs. The sheriff’s office reported that roughly 40% of the jail population shows mental-health issues or related needs, creating a substantial caseload for the proposed program.
Funding and oversight: Litz said the award covers two full-time salaries plus fringe benefits, training and travel expenses for program staff. The county’s finance department will be responsible for grant accounting; commissioners approved placement of the grant in county financial systems so payments to vendors and employees can be made.
Speakers - Alex Litz, grant writer / compliance officer (county/sheriff's office-related role) (government) - Angela Teams, Chairwoman, Walker County Board of Commissioners (government)
Authorities - Governor’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Council subgrant program (grant source referenced as part of discussion)
Clarifying details - Award amount: $191,386; grant period through Dec. 30 of the award year, with possibility of extension or renewal. - Program staffing: full-time therapist and full-time case manager; grant covers salaries and fringe benefits and training.
Next steps - County finance to establish accounting for the grant, accept funds and manage disbursements; sheriff’s office to coordinate hiring and onboarding of program staff.
Searchable tags: jail reentry, behavioral health, grant, Walker County, sheriff
Provenance: grant presentation during new-business portion of the meeting and unanimous board approval.
