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Porter County council approves opioid-settlement grants for five local programs
Summary
The Porter County council approved recommendations from its opioid settlement committee to award grants to five local organizations for recovery, re-entry and public-health initiatives, with individual awards announced and approved by voice or roll call.
Porter County council members on Monday approved a series of grants recommended by the county’s opioid settlement committee to support recovery, re-entry and public-health programs across the county.
Megan Whislinski, introduced in the meeting as the opioid-settlement committee chair, said the panel interviewed eight applicants and recommended funding five organizations. The council heard brief presentations from representatives of each nonprofit before voting on the awards.
Erin Blumenthal, vice president of operations at the Caring Place, described a women’s program that integrates domestic-violence services with substance-use recovery support. The council moved to award the Caring Place $30,722 and approved the motion by voice vote.
Alexis Steins, marketing and development coordinator for 320 Recovery, said the organization will use the funds to offer weekly, no-cost programs that include art, music, fitness, nutrition and faith-based supports with peer recovery coaches. The council approved funding for 320 Recovery; the committee and council discussion referenced $25,000 for that award.
Sam Berget, representing the Community Change Center, said the organization will launch a counseling and wellness program available in jails and in the community and noted that it is now a Medicaid and Recovery Works provider. The council approved $23,688 for the center.
Michael O’Connor, executive director of Moraine House, described how earlier grant funds paid for a new roof and client-room renovations; the council approved $18,000 for Moraine House to fund further renovations and repairs.
A health department representative outlined plans to install two 24/7-accessible AED “Safe Heart” stations (at the Expo Center and Sunset Hill Park), integrate the PulsePoint app with the 911 system to notify trained responders nearby, assign a peer counselor to the juvenile detention center and maintain a community service-finder platform. The commissioners had pledged $20,000 toward the AED/PulsePoint effort and the opioid-settlement committee discussed contributing $27,590; the council approved the opioid-committee portion at $27,590.
Members raised procedural concerns during the sequence of votes about whether each award should have been presented separately before voting. One council member asked that, in future rounds, applicants other than the first presenter also be brought forward to speak prior to a single blanket vote. Meeting minutes show the council nonetheless voted on each award after the brief presentations.
The awards were accepted as recommended by the committee; winners received certificates and a photo opportunity at the meeting’s conclusion.
The council did not discuss detailed multi-year funding commitments for the programs at the meeting. The opioid-settlement committee chair and county staff will carry follow-up items related to program reporting and implementation timelines, according to remarks during the meeting.
