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Isaiah 117 House asks Washington County to seek opioid‑abatement funding and highlights foster‑care needs
Summary
Isaiah 117 House asked the Washington County Board of Supervisors to advocate for opioid‑abatement authority funds and described services for children and social‑worker supports; the speaker said seven children spent 23 nights in the county DSS office over the past year and urged local financial backing.
A representative of Isaiah 117 House asked Washington County supervisors to seek opioid‑abatement authority funds to support the organization's work helping children, foster families and county social workers.
Savannah Harrison, who said she works with the Washington County Isaiah 117 House, told the board the Russell County Isaiah 117 House recently received opioid‑abatement authority funds and asked Washington County to pursue a similar allocation. She described program services that include office‑based overnight placements when immediate placement is unavailable, a staffed visitation space set up like a studio apartment for supervised visits, an office space for social workers, and tangible supports for foster families (car seats and other needs).
Harrison said that "for seven different children this year, that's not been the case, and between those seven children, 23 nights have been spent in the DSS office," adding that social workers often provide overnight care with two staff on duty during those stays. She also reported Washington County currently has six registered foster homes with DSS and a small number of additional therapeutic providers.
The board acknowledged the request and local need; in board member reports a supervisor said construction on Isaiah 117 House is underway with a foundation in place and lumber expected to arrive. There was no specific board appropriation or motion recorded on the funding request during this meeting; the request was presented as a public comment and will require follow‑up by staff or supervisors for formal consideration.
