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Adams County officials hear Project Connect pitch, urged to route $125,000 funding request through JRAC
Summary
Project Connect leaders told commissioners the jail reentry/navigation program needs a county match of $125,000 for year two; speakers emphasized local control, a $350,000 operating budget and the need for JRAC to vet use of restricted opioid-settlement funds before county approval.
Project Connect representatives presented the county with a formal request to match $125,000 for a second year of jail reentry and navigator services, saying local fundraising and opioid-settlement dollars have covered roughly half the program’s operating costs. Rob, a Project Connect lead, told the board the program shifted from a state-run model to a locally managed model and that the organization has raised private funds and in-kind support to build a “desistance”-focused set of services that measure outcomes beyond rearrest.
The request drew support and questions. A special prosecutor and other judicial officials praised the program’s collaboration with community corrections, probation and social-service partners, saying the approach “fills a lot of those holes.” Sheriff leadership reported improvements inside the jail — lower discipline incidents and higher staff morale — tied in part to the navigators and programming Project Connect provides.
Commissioners pressed staff on the durability of funding. Project Connect said its total annual budget is about $350,000, with the jail-and-prison reentry portion roughly $250,000. Commissioners noted prior county contributions in year one and asked whether the requested $125,000 would come from restricted or unrestricted opioid-settlement funds. County finance staff (JRAC staff) said restricted opioid funds have specific allowable uses and that a committee recommendation from the JRAC/JERAC should precede any county appropriation. One commissioner urged JRAC to project shortfalls for 2027 and identify whether an $80,000 gap would need county budget support.
Project Connect staff described program components (navigators inside/outside the detention center, wraparound contracts with local housing providers including Village Green and Chase Pointe, and emergency housing arrangements) and offered to return with evaluation data after two years of operation. Rob characterized the effort as having moved “from pilot to a functional county asset” and emphasized local control and collaboration.
The board did not authorize immediate county funding on the floor; instead commissioners asked that the JRAC review and formally recommend funding allocations. Commissioners also asked Project Connect to provide regular briefings and performance metrics that would allow an objective, annual evaluation of the program’s effectiveness.
