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Morrow County approves deflection treatment agreement amid state funding changes
Summary
The board approved an agreement with Community Counseling Solutions to run a local deflection program—offering treatment in lieu of criminal charges—using state grant funds and other local resources; commissioners discussed program scale, funding timing and regional partnerships.
Morrow County commissioners approved a deflection program agreement with Community Counseling Solutions to provide treatment and deflection services as an alternative to prosecution for certain low‑level drug possession cases.
County counsel and a commissioner summarized recent state action that reshaped how low‑level possession may be handled and the legislature’s decision to fund pilot programs for local deflection efforts. The county applied for and received state funding for a deflection program earlier in the year; participants described a contract structure to reimburse the county’s local provider for treatment services and to coordinate with law‑enforcement referral pathways. The board discussed program scale, the potential use of opioid settlement funds for future program support, and a regional service delivery approach with neighboring Umatilla County to ensure coverage of staffing and 24/7 availability.
The board voted to approve the agreement and directed staff to complete implementation steps, including coordination with local law enforcement and issuance of outreach materials. Commissioners emphasized this is an operating agreement for the current funding cycle and that future funding and legislative changes will determine continuation or scale.
