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F5 founder defends program as Becker County commissioners review peer-support results
Summary
F5 Project founder Adam Martin told the Becker County Board that past financial choices that drew media scrutiny were business errors that have been corrected and that the F5 peer‑support pilot has produced strong local outcomes; commissioners asked for more quantitative baseline data before any wider in‑house transition of probation services.
Adam Martin, founder and CEO of the nonprofit F5 Project, addressed Becker County commissioners on May 5 and defended his organization’s record after local media coverage raised questions about 2024 financial decisions.
Martin described rapid organizational growth in 2022–24, lost referral streams in 2024 that led to layoffs, and steps he said he took to stabilize operations. "I made a mistake ... I will do everything I can to repair that reputation," Martin said, adding he took personal loans to cover payroll advances and has since repaid the advances and strengthened governance and policies.
Martin asked the board to consider the program’s on‑the‑ground outcomes when deciding whether to continue the F5 contract or integrate peer‑support staff into county operations. He said the local pilot has served roughly 70 participants, that opioid‑settlement funds have paid the local program, and that outcomes tracked by F5 include housing stability, employment and reduced law‑enforcement contacts.
County probation staff separately presented research showing that peer support is associated with higher treatment completion and lower rates of reincarceration and technical violations. A probation presenter told the board that locally, among 59 recent active participants, 86% had maintained housing and 54 of 59 had zero law‑enforcement contact while enrolled.
Several commissioners thanked Martin and F5 staff and urged a stronger quantitative baseline and continued stakeholder coordination if the county pursues a transition of community corrections back in‑house. One commissioner said qualitative stories are important but asked staff to compile pre‑pilot recidivism and supervision outcome data so the board can assess program impact over time.
What’s next: Staff said it will aim to provide a fuller cost and benefits package for the board’s review at a scheduled work session on May 26, and commissioners asked that data collection and cost comparisons be part of future briefings.
