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Bedford County approves full‑time treatment court coordinator to expand recovery services
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Summary
The Salary Board approved a non‑union, full‑time Treatment Court Coordinator position (35 hours/week at $22/hr) to support certification and expand access to mental‑health treatment for program participants, with partial reimbursement expected from the Opioid Settlement Fund.
The Bedford County Salary Board on Feb. 10 approved creation of a full‑time, non‑union Treatment Court Coordinator position to support the county’s treatment court program.
Judge Travis Livengood, Court of Common Pleas of Bedford County, told the board the role had been part‑time and must be full‑time to move forward with state certification and to provide consistent mental‑health treatment to participants. He told members the county can seek reimbursement through the Opioid Settlement Fund and estimated current reimbursement conservatively at 60/40, with the possibility of applying to increase that share to 80/20 and to include benefits.
The board approved the position after a motion by Deputy Treasurer Cheyanne Harris, seconded by Commissioner Baughman. The position will be 35 hours per week with compensation of $22.00 per hour and benefits, according to the presentation materials distributed by Judge Livengood. He reviewed projected costs and said the program produces cost savings by reducing placements and supporting family stability, though the presentation did not provide a detailed line‑item budget in the meeting minutes.
Supporters of expanding the coordinator role addressed the board. Kyle Gardner, identified in the record as the treatment court program’s first graduate, and Ben Naugle, committee manager and member, described the program’s benefits to participants. Other speakers listed by the clerk included Dr. Peggy Hoffman, psychologist; Karen Hendershot, public defender; District Attorney Ashlan Clark; and Melissa Jacobs, who spoke in favor of the full‑time coordinator and the program’s expansion.
Commissioner Winck and Judge Livengood held a lengthy discussion about the program’s budget and costs; the minutes record that Judge Livengood described some prior public statements about the budget as inaccurate. Commissioner Baughman said he welcomed the opportunities created by Opioid Settlement funds and expressed support for expansion of treatment court services.
The motion to create the position carried. Next procedural steps recorded in the minutes include continuing the certification process with the state and pursuing available grant and settlement reimbursements. The board adjourned at 11:12 a.m.