Barry County commissioners approved fiscal year 2026 grant contracts and a net cost agreement for substance use disorder services after program staff warned of major state funding reductions to the Swift Insure prison‑diversion program.

Tammy Price, who asked the board to sign state and regional contracts, said the state cut Swift Insure funding from $200,000 last year to $73,050 this year — a roughly 63.5 percent reduction — and that the program’s future is uncertain. "The state is not really giving us a whole lot of information," Price said, adding counties were told midyear they could request additional funding.

Price described Swift Insure as a prison‑diversion program that over the past decade had served 85 people, with 51 successful completions; she estimated program graduates greatly reduce incarceration costs and described required services including employment assistance, drug testing, cognitive behavioral therapy, relapse prevention and moral recognition therapy. Commissioners discussed reaching out to state legislators to highlight program outcomes and asked staff to pursue midyear funding options.

The chair then called for a motion to approve FY2026 SCAO grant contracts covering adult drug courts, sobriety court, Swift Insure sanctions, probation programs, and a net cost agreement with the Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health regional entity. Motion by Colton, support by Bassett, passed by roll call. Commissioners said they will contact legislators and monitor midyear funding possibilities.

Next steps: administration will execute the contracts and engage legislators and regional partners about midyear relief or alternative funding sources.