Angela Hoover: Clinton County awarded $99,946 PCCD grant to continue jail MAT program

Angela Hoover, a Clinton County staff member, told the Feb. 23 work session that the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) has allocated $99,946 to Clinton County over two years to support medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in the county jail.

Hoover said the grant is noncompetitive and will support the county’s existing MAT program, which averages 15 participants. "Clinton County is allocated $99,946 over a 2 year period," she said, adding the program ensures people who enter the facility on an active prescription continue to receive medication and counseling throughout their incarceration.

Hoover told commissioners that studies have shown providing MAT in jails reduces overdoses after release and supports long-term recovery. She said the county did not receive a MAC/MAT grant in the last round; this award does not increase the program’s size but will reduce the county’s costs for continuing the existing service. "So these funds will be used to continue the program just at a lower cost of the county," she said.

A commissioner asked whether the award represented an increase compared with prior grants; Hoover replied that there was no increase in service level and noted the county may pursue different, more expensive medication options in the future, such as injectable formulations. Hoover said that prior to receiving this grant the program was funded through the jail commissary and the county general fund.

No formal action to accept the grant was recorded on the work session transcript; commissioners heard the presentation and asked clarifying questions. The work session moved on to routine agenda items for the Feb. 26 commissioners meeting.

Next steps: staff may return with implementation details or recommendations if the county elects to adopt injectable medications or change program operations.